Russian Journal of Deviant Behavior Russian Journal of Deviant Behavior Российский девиантологический журнал 2713-0622 113535 Cовременная девиантология: теории и концепции Theories and concepts of deviant behavior Cовременная девиантология: теории и концепции “Linguistic turn” in the justice system: humanising language in fighting stigma and recidivism (using the US as an example) «Лингвистический поворот» в системе правосудия: гуманизация языка в борьбе со стигматизацией и рецидивом (на примере США) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6689-0542 Хисматулина Наталья Владимировна Khismatulina Natalya Vladimirovna khisnatalya@yandex.ru

кандидат педагогических наук;

candidate of pedagogical sciences;

 Санкт-Петербургский университет МВД России Россия Saint Petersburg University of the MIA of Russia Russian Federation 28 04 2026 28 04 2026 6 1 14 33 20 01 2026 07 02 2026 https://russianjournaldeviantbehavior.ru/en/nauka/article/113535/view

Введение. В условиях переосмысления результативности функционирования системы уголовного правосудия в США, направленного на поиск решений в снижении уровня массового заключения, борьбу с рецидивами и укрепление механизмов реинтеграции бывших заключенных, особую значимость приобретает анализ дискурсивных практик, в частности языка, используемого для описания лиц с пенитенциарным опытом. Традиционные дегуманизирующие термины («преступник», «заключенный», «осужденный») не являются нейтральными; они редуцируют личность человека до ее противоправного деяния, воспроизводя стигму и создавая труднопреодолимые барьеры на пути к ресоциализации. Целью исследования является системный анализ эволюции теории навешивания ярлыков, концепции стигматизации и практики гуманизации языка, выявление их взаимосвязи и практической значимости. Методы исследования включают в себя систематический анализ и критическую интерпретацию академической литературы, современных эмпирических исследований, активистских манифестов, а также метод триангуляции данных. Основные результаты исследования демонстрируют историческую трансформацию теории навешивания ярлыков от абстрактной концепции «девиантной идентичности» к эмпирически верифицируемым механизмам, таким как «ожидаемая стигма» и «мастер-статус» человека по стигматизирующему признаку. Показано, что гуманизация языка, реализованная на принципах человекоориентированного подхода, имеет не только этическое, но и научное обоснование, подтвержденное эмпирическими исследованиями. Переход к «уважительному» дискурсу выступает неотъемлемым условием для построения более справедливой, эффективной и гуманной системы правосудия.

Introduction. In the context of rethinking the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in the United States, aimed at finding ways of reducing mass incarceration, combating recidivism, and strengthening mechanisms for the reintegration of former prisoners, there is particular significance in analysing discursive practices, and in particular the language used for describing individuals with a penitentiary background. Traditional dehumanising terms (‘criminal’, ‘prisoner’, ‘convict’) are not neutral; they reduce human personality to a single unlawful act, reproducing stigma and creating difficult barriers to resocialisation. The purpose of the research is to provide a systematic analysis of the evolution of the labelling theory, the concept of stigmatisation, and the practice of humanising language, as well as to identify their correlation and practical significance. The research methods include systematic analysis and critical interpretation of academic literature, recent empirical studies, activist manifestos, as well as the method of data triangulation. The main findings of the research demonstrate the historical transformation of the labelling theory from the abstract concept of ‘deviant identity’ to empirically verified mechanisms such as ‘anticipated stigma’ and a person’s ‘master status’ based on a stigmatising characteristic. The effect of humanising language has been proved to be achieved on the basis of principles of a person-first approach with not only ethical but also scientific grounds, confirmed by empirical research. The shift to a respectful discourse is an essential condition for building a more equitable, effective, and humane justice system.

 теория навешивания ярлыков стигматизация девиантная идентичность девиация ожидаемая стигма пенитенциарный опыт социальная реинтеграция рецидив гуманизация языка labelling theory stigmatisation deviant identity deviation anticipated stigma penitentiary background social reintegration recidivism humanisation of language

Alexander, M. (2010). The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. New Press. Alexander, M. (2010). The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of colorblindness. New Press. Ariès, P. (1991). The hour of our death. Oxford University Press. Ariès, P. (1991). The hour of our death. Oxford University Press. Bauman, R. A. (1996). Crime and punishment in ancient Rome. Routledge. Bauman, R. A. (1996). Crime and punishment in ancient Rome. Routledge. Beattie, J. M. (1986). Crime and the courts in England 1660–1800. Princeton University Press. Beattie, J. M. (1986). Crime and the courts in England 1660–1800. Princeton University Press. Becker, H. S. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the sociology of deviance. Free Press. Becker, H. S. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the sociology of deviance. Free Press. Bernburg, J. G., & Krohn, M. D. (2003). Labeling, life chances, and adult crime: The direct and indirect effects of official intervention in adolescence on crime in early adulthood. Criminology, 41(4), 1287–1318. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9125.2003.tb01020.x Bernburg, J. G., & Krohn, M. D. (2003). Labeling, life chances, and adult crime: The direct and indirect effects of official intervention in adolescence on crime in early adulthood. Criminology, 41(4), 1287–1318. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9125.2003.tb01020.x Bos, A. E. R., Pryor, J. B., Reeder, G. D., & Stutterheim, S. E. (2013). Stigma: Advances in theory and research. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 35, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/01973533.2012.746147 Bos, A. E. R., Pryor, J. B., Reeder, G. D., & Stutterheim, S. E. (2013). Stigma: Advances in theory and research. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 35, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/01973533.2012.746147 Chiricos, T., Barrick, K., Bales, W., & Bontrager, S. (2007). The labeling of convicted felons and its consequences for recidivism. Criminology, 45(3), 547–581. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9125.2007.00089.x Chiricos, T., Barrick, K., Bales, W., & Bontrager, S. (2007). The labeling of convicted felons and its consequences for recidivism. Criminology, 45(3), 547–581. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9125.2007.00089.x Clow, K. A., Ricciardelli, R., & Cain, T. L. (2012). Stigma-by-association: Prejudicial effects of the prison experience for offenders and exonerees. In D. W. Russell & C. A. Russell (Eds.), The psychology of prejudice: Interdisciplinary perspectives on contemporary issues (pp. 127–154). Nova Science Publishers. Clow, K. A., Ricciardelli, R., & Cain, T. L. (2012). Stigma-by-association: Prejudicial effects of the prison experience for offenders and exonerees. In D. W. Russell & C. A. Russell (Eds.), The psychology of prejudice: Interdisciplinary perspectives on contemporary issues (pp. 127–154). Nova Science Publishers. Corrigan, P. W., Larson, J. E., & Rüsch, N. (2009). Self-stigma and the "Why try" effect: Impact on life goals and evidence-based practices. World Psychiatry, 8(2), 75–81. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2051-5545.2009.tb00218.x Corrigan, P. W., Larson, J. E., & Rüsch, N. (2009). Self-stigma and the "Why try" effect: Impact on life goals and evidence-based practices. World Psychiatry, 8(2), 75–81. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2051-5545.2009.tb00218.x Cox, A. (2020). The language of incarceration. Incarceration, 1(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/2632666320940859 Cox, A. (2020). The language of incarceration. Incarceration, 1(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1177/2632666320940859 Denver, M., Pickett, J. T., & Bushway, S. D. (2017). The language of stigmatization and the mark of violence: Experimental evidence on the social construction and use of criminal record stigma. Criminology, 55(3), 664–690. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9125.12145 Denver, M., Pickett, J. T., & Bushway, S. D. (2017). The language of stigmatization and the mark of violence: Experimental evidence on the social construction and use of criminal record stigma. Criminology, 55(3), 664–690. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9125.12145 Des Forges, A. (1999). "Leave none to tell the story": Genocide in Rwanda. Human Rights Watch. Des Forges, A. (1999). "Leave none to tell the story": Genocide in Rwanda. Human Rights Watch. Gilmore, R. W. (2008). Forgotten places and the seeds of grassroots planning. In C. R. Hale (Ed.), Engaging contradictions: Theory, politics, and methods of activist scholarship (pp. 31–61). University of California Press. https://cultivatingalternatives.com/2012/10/24/forgotten-place-and-the-seeds-of-grassroots-planning-ruth-wilson-gilmore/ Gilmore, R. W. (2008). Forgotten places and the seeds of grassroots planning. In C. R. Hale (Ed.), Engaging contradictions: Theory, politics, and methods of activist scholarship (pp. 31–61). University of California Press. https://cultivatingalternatives.com/2012/10/24/forgotten-place-and-the-seeds-of-grassroots-planning-ruth-wilson-gilmore/ Goffman, E. (1963). Stigma: Notes on the management of spoiled identity. Prentice-Hall. Goffman, E. (1963). Stigma: Notes on the management of spoiled identity. Prentice-Hall. Haas, A. A. (2019). The artistic evolution of Japanese tattoo culture. Haas, A. A. (2019). The artistic evolution of Japanese tattoo culture. Hamari, H. (2011). Political correctness, euphemism, and language change: The case of 'people first'. Journal of Pragmatics, 43(3), 828–840. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2010.09.016 Hamari, H. (2011). Political correctness, euphemism, and language change: The case of 'people first'. Journal of Pragmatics, 43(3), 828–840. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pragma.2010.09.016 Hawthorne, N. (1878). The scarlet letter. James R. Osgood and Company. https://archive.org/details/scarletletter00hawt/page/n9/mode/2up Hawthorne, N. (1878). The scarlet letter. James R. Osgood and Company. https://archive.org/details/scarletletter00hawt/page/n9/mode/2up Herbert, U. (2003). National Socialist extermination policies: Contemporary German perspectives and controversies (Vol. 2). Berghahn Books. Herbert, U. (2003). National Socialist extermination policies: Contemporary German perspectives and controversies (Vol. 2). Berghahn Books. Hirschfield, P. J., & Piquero, A. R. (2010). Normalization and legitimation: Modeling stigmatizing attitudes toward ex-offenders. Criminology, 48(1), 27–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9125.2010.00179.x Hirschfield, P. J., & Piquero, A. R. (2010). Normalization and legitimation: Modeling stigmatizing attitudes toward ex-offenders. Criminology, 48(1), 27–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-9125.2010.00179.x Jensen, G.F. (2006). Labeling and identity. Criminology, 18(1), 121–129. Jensen, G.F. (2006). Labeling and identity. Criminology, 18(1), 121–129. Keene, D. E., Smoyer, A. B., & Blankenship, K. M. (2018). Stigma, housing and identity after prison. The Sociological Review, 66(4), 799–815. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038026118777447 Keene, D. E., Smoyer, A. B., & Blankenship, K. M. (2018). Stigma, housing and identity after prison. The Sociological Review, 66(4), 799–815. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038026118777447 Kershaw, I. (2016). Hitler: 1889-1936: Hubris. W. W. Norton & Company. Kershaw, I. (2016). Hitler: 1889-1936: Hubris. W. W. Norton & Company. Kirk, D. S., & Sampson, R. J. (2013). Juvenile arrest and collateral educational damage in the transition to adulthood. Sociology of Education, 86(1), 36–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038040712448862 Kirk, D. S., & Sampson, R. J. (2013). Juvenile arrest and collateral educational damage in the transition to adulthood. Sociology of Education, 86(1), 36–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038040712448862 La Vigne, N. (2016, April 4). People first: Changing the way we talk about those touched by the criminal justice system. Urban Institute. https://justiceroundtable.org/news-item/people-first-changing-the-way-we-talk-about-those-touched-by-the-criminal-justice-system/ La Vigne, N. (2016, April 4). People first: Changing the way we talk about those touched by the criminal justice system. Urban Institute. https://justiceroundtable.org/news-item/people-first-changing-the-way-we-talk-about-those-touched-by-the-criminal-justice-system/ LeBel, T. P. (2012). Invisible Stripes? Formerly Incarcerated Persons’ Perceptions of Stigma. Deviant Behavior, 33(2), 89–107. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2010.538365 LeBel, T. P. (2012). Invisible Stripes? Formerly Incarcerated Persons’ Perceptions of Stigma. Deviant Behavior, 33(2), 89–107. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2010.538365 Lemert, E. (1951). Social pathology: A systematic approach to the theory of sociopathic behavior. McGraw Hill. Lemert, E. (1951). Social pathology: A systematic approach to the theory of sociopathic behavior. McGraw Hill. Link, B. G., & Phelan, J. C. (2001). Conceptualizing stigma. Annual Review of Sociology, 27, 363–385. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.27.1.363 Link, B. G., & Phelan, J. C. (2001). Conceptualizing stigma. Annual Review of Sociology, 27, 363–385. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.soc.27.1.363 Marable, M., & Mullings, L. (2009). Let nobody turn us around: Voices of resistance, reform and renewal: An African American anthology. Rowman & Littlefield. Marable, M., & Mullings, L. (2009). Let nobody turn us around: Voices of resistance, reform and renewal: An African American anthology. Rowman & Littlefield. Matsueda, R. L. (1992). Reflected appraisal, parental labeling, and delinquency: Specifying a symbolic interactionist theory. American Journal of Sociology, 97(6), 1577–1611. https://doi.org/10.1086/229940 Matsueda, R. L. (1992). Reflected appraisal, parental labeling, and delinquency: Specifying a symbolic interactionist theory. American Journal of Sociology, 97(6), 1577–1611. https://doi.org/10.1086/229940 McGuire, W. J. (1961). Resistance to persuasion conferred by active and passive prior refutation of same and alternative counterarguments. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 63(2), 326–332. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0048344 McGuire, W. J. (1961). Resistance to persuasion conferred by active and passive prior refutation of same and alternative counterarguments. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 63(2), 326–332. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0048344 Mead, G. H. (1913). The social self. The Journal of Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Methods, 10(14), 374–380. https://doi.org/10.2307/2012910 Mead, G. H. (1913). The social self. The Journal of Philosophy, Psychology and Scientific Methods, 10(14), 374–380. https://doi.org/10.2307/2012910 Moore, K. E., Stuewig, J. B., & Tangney, J. P. (2016). The effect of stigma on criminal offenders’ functioning: A longitudinal mediational model. Deviant Behavior, 37(2), 196–218. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2014.1004035 Moore, K. E., Stuewig, J. B., & Tangney, J. P. (2016). The effect of stigma on criminal offenders’ functioning: A longitudinal mediational model. Deviant Behavior, 37(2), 196–218. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639625.2014.1004035 Nemeroff, C., & Rozin, P. (2000). The makings of the magical mind: The nature and function of sympathetic magical thinking. In K. S. Rosengren, C. N. Johnson, & P. L. Harris (Eds.), Imagining the impossible: Magical, scientific, and religious thinking in children (pp. 1–34). Cambridge University Press. Nemeroff, C., & Rozin, P. (2000). The makings of the magical mind: The nature and function of sympathetic magical thinking. In K. S. Rosengren, C. N. Johnson, & P. L. Harris (Eds.), Imagining the impossible: Magical, scientific, and religious thinking in children (pp. 1–34). Cambridge University Press. Nemeroff, C. J., & Rozin, P. (1994). The contagion concept in adult thinking in the United States: Transmission of germs and of interpersonal influence. Ethos, 22(2), 158–186. https://doi.org/10.1525/eth.1994.22.2.02a00020 Nemeroff, C. J., & Rozin, P. (1994). The contagion concept in adult thinking in the United States: Transmission of germs and of interpersonal influence. Ethos, 22(2), 158–186. https://doi.org/10.1525/eth.1994.22.2.02a00020 Pager, D. (2003). The mark of a criminal record. American Journal of Sociology, 108(5), 937–975. https://doi.org/10.1086/374403 Pager, D. (2003). The mark of a criminal record. American Journal of Sociology, 108(5), 937–975. https://doi.org/10.1086/374403 Paternoster, R., & Iovanni, L. (1989). The Labeling perspective and delinquency: An elaboration of the theory and an assessment of the evidence. Justice Quarterly, 6(3), 359–394. https://doi.org/10.1080/07418828900090261 Paternoster, R., & Iovanni, L. (1989). The Labeling perspective and delinquency: An elaboration of the theory and an assessment of the evidence. Justice Quarterly, 6(3), 359–394. https://doi.org/10.1080/07418828900090261 Radelet, M. (2017). The history of the death penalty in Colorado. University Press of Colorado. Radelet, M. (2017). The history of the death penalty in Colorado. University Press of Colorado. Tannenbaum, F. (1951). Crime and the community. Columbia University Press. Tannenbaum, F. (1951). Crime and the community. Columbia University Press. Tittle, C. R. (1975). Deterrents or Labeling? Social Forces, 53(3), 399–410. https://doi.org/10.2307/2576582 Tittle, C. R. (1975). Deterrents or Labeling? Social Forces, 53(3), 399–410. https://doi.org/10.2307/2576582 Tran, N. T., Baggio, S., Dawson, A., et al. (2018). Words matter: A call for humanizing and respectful language to describe people who experience incarceration. BMC International Health and Human Rights, 18, Article 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12914-018-0180-4 Tran, N. T., Baggio, S., Dawson, A., et al. (2018). Words matter: A call for humanizing and respectful language to describe people who experience incarceration. BMC International Health and Human Rights, 18, Article 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12914-018-0180-4 Tyler, I. (2020). Stigma: The machinery of inequality. CPI Group. Tyler, I. (2020). Stigma: The machinery of inequality. CPI Group. Westervelt, S. D., & Cook, K. J. (2008). Coping with innocence after death row. Contexts, 7(4), 32–37. https://doi.org/10.1525/ctx.2008.7.4.32 Westervelt, S. D., & Cook, K. J. (2008). Coping with innocence after death row. Contexts, 7(4), 32–37. https://doi.org/10.1525/ctx.2008.7.4.32 Winnick, T. A., & Bodkin, M. (2008). Anticipated stigma and stigma management among those to be labeled “Ex-con.” Deviant Behavior, 29(4), 295–333. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639620701588081 Winnick, T. A., & Bodkin, M. (2008). Anticipated stigma and stigma management among those to be labeled “Ex-con.” Deviant Behavior, 29(4), 295–333. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639620701588081