“Nothing about Us Without Us”: Analyzing the Potential Contributions of Lived Experience to Penological Pedagogy

AbstractThis paper explores the necessity and considerations of integrating Lived Experience Criminology (LEC) into penological pedagogy. It critically analyses the underutilized, yet transformative, potential of lived experiences of the CJS to enrich academic curricula and further inform student understanding, particularly in Australia. Drawing on initiatives such as the Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program, Learning Together, and Walls to Bridges, the paper highlights how such programs operationalize LEC’s dimensions—particularly Persistent Experiential Narratives (PEN) and Common Experiential Narratives (CEN)—to build criminological knowledge. However, the need for cautious and ethical expansion of these programs is emphasized, considering potential objectification of people with lived experience of the CJS. The paper advocates for greater inclusion of lived experience perspectives in criminology curricula, underscoring the value they could bring to the preparation of future practitioners, the design of robust research, and the advancement of penological epistemology. Additionally, it stresses the importance of context, locality, and specialization within LEC, and the ethical considerations inherent to these pedagogical approaches. The paper concludes by calling for a stronger commitment from academia towards inclusion and empowerment of individuals with lived experience of the CJS, echoing the maxim “Nothing About Us Without Us” from the disability rights movement. The paper posits that significant strides in the CJS and academic discipline are achievable only through meaningful and sustained involvement of these individuals.Keywords: Lived experience criminologypenological pedagogycriminological curriculumpersistent experiential narrativecommon experiential narrative AcknowledgementsThe author thank Mrs. Tarmi A’Vard (Bendigo TAFE) and Dr Matt Maycock (Monash University) for reading early drafts of this paper and providing valuable insights. The author thank also Dr Aaron Hart (Vacro/University of Melbourne) for indulging me in dialogue, inspiring the authorship of this paper.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationNotes on contributorsDwayne AntojadoDwayne Antojado is a researcher and academic with lived experience of the criminal justice system in Australia. He uses his lived experience to influence his research and advocacy work in academia, government, and the not-for-profit sector. He has led and worked on various projects embedding and amplifying lived experience perspectives in organizational practice, structure and processes with organizations including, the Australian Community Support Organization, Jesuit Social Services, Vacro, and RMIT University’s community-based and prison-based think tanks. Dwayne is currently an academic in the School of Social Sciences, Monash University. He is also a senior writer for Paper Chained Magazine, an Australian-basedjournal of writing and artistic expression from individuals affected by incarceration. His research interests include LGBTQI+ experiences in the justice system, lived experience criminology, education in prisons, and prison radio.