Social representations of Justice of professional groups within juvenile system.

Theoretical Framework Social Representations theory emphasizes the process through which social groups adapt technical knowledge to everyday needs. In justice system, professional groups shape institutional rules in accordance with their ingroup shared system of meanings about what is just and with reference to the symbolic social dynamics actualized in the context of their working social exchanges (Clémence and Doise, 1995; Doise, 2010). Objectives and Procedures The research focuses on social representations of justice of two professional groups within juvenile system. The objective is to explore the existence of: a) a shared set of meanings within and between groups; b) potential differences in meanings organization between groups with emphasis on social dynamics in work context. Participants are the entire staff of the Social Service Office of Juvenile Court (USSM) (N.20) and of the Juvenile Community Service (CPA) (N.8) in Lecce, south Italy. An in-depth semi-structured interview was adopted mainly focusing on narratives (László, 2003). Three areas were addressed: a) justice episodes; b) ideal/real justice; c) justice/law. Interviews transcriptions were submitted to a content qualitative analysis through ATLAS.ti software. Results and Main Conclusion The two groups share a common system of meanings about justice shaped by technical law. Notwithstanding, differences emerge. In USSM justice representation, social work is the principle which organizes such a system in the context of an enriching network of social exchanges with other professional groups; on the opposite, the organizing principle of CPA staff representation of justice is the oppositional dichotomy between IN/OUT up to the point that two justices come out: the In-justice which involves young offenders and the Out-justice which concerns all the others. Such an organization is shared by all the CPA group members, despite of their different job positions.