Spain, Jennifer
(2022)
An Examination of how the Concept of Goffman’s ‘Total
Institution’ Applies to the Irish System of Direct Provision.
Masters thesis, National University of Ireland Maynooth.
Abstract
This dissertation aims to examine the way in which Goffman’s (1961) concept applies
to the Irish system of Direct Provision. This will be done through outlining both the concept of
the total institution and the Direct Provision system. Elements will be drawn from the concept
in order to apply them to the system of Direct Provision. Examples from the system will be
used in order to illustrate these elements. Once an examination is made on the way in which
the concept applies to the system, there will then be an exploration of the research questions.
This will find: if there are barriers to reform in Direct Provision when seen as a total institution;
how does being a total institution make asylum seekers the ‘other’ in Irish society; and how
being considered a total institution benefits the Irish state. This was analysed through deskbased
research.
The dissertation found that the concept of Goffman’s (1961) total institution can be
applied to the Irish system of Direct Provision. After looking at the elements, it can be seen
that the examples of the issues in Direct Provision illustrate the elements that are key to an
institution being considered a ‘total’ one. Additionally, the dissertation found that the barrier
to reform within the system is due to the government’s lack of urgency on the topic. Moreover,
when being considered the ‘new’ total institution, in the context of Ireland’s history with total
institutions, asylum seekers have been labelled the ‘other’ in the current Irish society. Lastly,
the dissertation found that when the Direct Provision is considered a total institution the Irish
state is able to benefit as they have gained social control over the asylum seekers within the
system. Overall, the dissertation shows the way in which there is a lack of respect given to
asylum seekers in the Irish Direct Provision system.
| Item Type: |
Thesis
(Masters)
|
| Additional Information: |
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MA in Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice. |
| Keywords: |
Examination; Concept; Goffman; Total
Institution; Irish System; Direct Provision; Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Social Sciences > Law |
| Item ID: |
19127 |
| Depositing User: |
IR eTheses
|
| Date Deposited: |
31 Oct 2024 11:17 |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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