From top to bottom: rhetoric in the hierarchy of focused deterrence stakeholders

Abstract

Criminological and socio-legal research has frequently focused on the gap between policy and practice that is evident in the "ceremonial rhetoric" guiding criminal justice policies. This thesis examines whether there is a gap between policy and practice in a unique, multi-agency focused deterrence initiative in Kansas City, Missouri (KC-NoVA). By focusing on a single organizational component of the initiative--probation and parole--this research examines the extent to which policy rhetoric is both reflected in implementation and transmitted accurately through the organizational hierarchy. Because NoVA involves multiple agencies and a diverse group of stakeholders, its success is contingent upon the core doctrine of the project being similarly interpreted and executed by all involved. The interpretations of doctrine held by practitioners at each level of the probation and parole hierarchy are an important factor in successful implementation. Through qualitative interviews and field observations, this thesis examines how rhetoric changes across stakeholders, and how communication or interpretation barriers affect the cohesive implementation of a single, albeit multifaceted, policy mandate.