Professor Bartels’ research focuses on various aspects of the criminal justice system. Her key areas of interest are:

• courts and sentencing, including therapeutic jurisprudence; 
• prisons, community corrections and correctional policy; and 
• the treatment of women and Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system. 

 

 

Lorana Bartels (BA LLB LLM PhD GDLP GCTE) is a Professor of Criminology and was the Criminology Program Leader at the ANU from May 2019 to September 2020. She was previously Head of the School of Law and Justice at the University of Canberra and has also worked at the Australian Institute of Criminology, Family Court of Australia, NSW Attorney-General's Department, NSW Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and NSW Public Defenders Office.

Professor Bartels is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Canberra and University of Tasmania, a Life Member of Clare Hall at the University of Cambridge, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law and joint winner of the 2018 ACT Woman Lawyer of the Year - Community & Academic Award.

She is a member of the ACT Law Society Criminal Law Committee; ACT Reducing Recidivism Advisory Group; Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology (ANZSOC); Australian Lawyers for Human Rights; British Society of Criminology; European Society of Criminology; International Mainstreaming Therapeutic Jurisprudence Advisory Group; International Society for Therapeutic Jurisprudence Global Advisory Council; SHINE for Kids Research Practice and Advocacy Advisory Group; and Women Lawyers Association ACT. She is co-chair of the ACT chapter of the Justice Reform Initiative and national director of the Justice Reform Initiative.

She is also a member of the editorial boards of the Alternative Law Journal, Criminal Law Journal (ACT Editor and Sentencing Editor), Current Issues in Criminal Justice, International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology and Journal of Criminology. She was previously a member of the After Prison Network (ACT representative); ANZSOC Management Committee; National Sentencing Network Leadership Committee (ACT representative); and Prisoners Aid ACT Management Committee (2016-2020).

Professor Bartels’ publications include five books and over 120 refereed journal articles, book chapters and conference papers, as well as consultancy reports for the ACT, Commonwealth, Queensland, Tasmanian and Victorian governments.

Recent and current projects include a review of the Family Violence Act 2016 (ACT) and the ACT's services for victims of violence crime; leading the ACT Government's Reducing Recidivism Research Collaboration, a partnership between the ANU and the ACT Government; evaluating the ACT's drug court; an Australian Research Council project on parole and public opinion; an Australian Research Council project on public opinion on sentencing for sex offences; considering the impact of ADHD on involvement in the criminal justice system; and research and advocacy on the implications of COVID-19 for the criminal justice system.

Publications (in addition to those listed below; copies available on request)

Books 

Edited 

• Bartels L and Richards K (eds) (2011), Qualitative criminology: Stories from the field, Hawkins Press.

Refereed reports

• Bartels L (2010), Indigenous women’s offending patterns: A literature review, Research and Public Policy Series No 107, Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), 47pp. For all AIC publications, see www.aic.gov.au.

Refereed conference papers

• Bartels L (2009), ‘Mainstreaming problem-oriented justice: Issues and challenges’ in Segrave M (ed), Australia and New Zealand Critical Criminology Conference 2009 Conference Proceedings, Monash University, 31-40. 

Encyclopaedia entries

• Bartels L (2019), ‘Indigenous female offenders’ in F Bernat and K Frailing (eds), The Encyclopaedia of Women and Crime, Wiley. 
• Bartels L and Doyle C (2018), ‘Prisons and community corrections’ in M Worthington (ed), ACT Law Handbook, AustLII.
• Bartels L and Hopkins A (2018), ‘Sentencing’ in M Worthington (ed), ACT Law Handbook, AustLII. 
• Bartels L (2014), ‘Euthanasia’ in B Arrigo (ed), Encyclopaedia of Criminal Justice Ethics, Sage Publications. 

Book reviews

• Bartels L (2020), ‘Fundamentals of criminological and criminal justice inquiry’, Economic Review. 
• Bartels L (2018), ‘Sentencing as practical wisdom’, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology, 52: 308-310.
• Richards K and Bartels L (2012), ‘Researching crime and justice: Tales from the field and Conducting law and society research: Reflections on methods and practices’, British Journal of Criminology, 52: 1024-1029.

Non-refereed articles and reports 

• Bartels L (2020), ‘The intersection of disadvantage and the criminal justice system in Australia – and six ways to address this’, 12pp. 
• Flynn C, Harrigan S, Bartels L and Dennison S (2020), Maintaining family contact during COVID-19: Describing the experiences and needs of children with a family member in prison, prepared for SHINE for Kids, 88pp.
• Bartels L, Easteal P and Dodd S (2020), Review of the implementation of the Family Violence Act 2016 (ACT), prepared for the ACT Government, 137 pp. 
• Gerry F and Bartels L (2020), ‘Transmitting COVID-19 to another person may send you to prison for life. Here’s why this is worrisome’, The Conversation, 14 April. 
• Sarre R, Bartels and Makkai T (2020), ‘We need to consider granting bail to unsentenced prisoners to stop the spread of coronavirus’. The Conversation, 26 March. 
• Walvisch J, Richards K and Bartels L (2019), ‘3 ways to help sex offenders safely reintegrate back into the community’, The Conversation, 3 September.
• Bartels L (2019), The growth in remand and its impact on Indigenous over-representation in the criminal justice system, Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse, 8pp. For all IJC publications, see indigenousjustice.gov.au
• Hopkins A, Oxman L and Bartels L (2019), ‘First-ever Australian study shows how yoga can improve the lives of prisoners’, The Conversation, 17 July. 
• Bartels L (2019), ‘Australian governments should follow the ACT's lead in building communities, not prisons’, The Conversation, 21 February. 
• Freiberg A and Bartels L (2018), ‘Serial killers’ fates are in politicians’ hands. Here’s why that’s a worry’, The Conversation, 20 December. 
• Bartels L (2018), ‘“Learn to trust in what works for you”: Professor Lorana Bartels’, The Crime Conversation blog, 4 June.
• Freiberg A, Bartels L, Dodd S and Fitzgerald R (2018), ‘Political interventions have undermined the parole system’s effectiveness and independence’, The Conversation, 10 April.
• Bartels L (2017), ‘Is Victoria’s sentencing regime really more lenient?’ The Conversation, 19 October.
• Bartels L (2017), ‘Swift, certain, fair: Does Project HOPE provide a therapeutic paradigm for managing offenders? New book out now’, Therapeutic Jurisprudence in the Mainstream blog, 22 August.
• Sarre R and Bartels L (2017), ‘Tougher national parole laws won’t end the violence’, The Conversation, 7 June.
• Bartels L (2016), ‘Opinion: Curing our addiction to prison’, Canberra Times, 24 April. 
• Bartels L (2016), ‘Opinion: Tougher laws no antidote to violence’, Canberra Times, 12 January. 
• Bradfield R and Bartels L (2016), Phasing out of suspended sentences, Final report No 6, Tasmanian Sentencing Advisory Council, 148pp. 
• Bartels L (2015), ‘State of imprisonment in Australia: Can the ACT achieve a “human rights” prison?’, The Conversation, 17 April.
• Bartels L (2015), ‘Swift and certain sanctions: Does Australia have room for HOPE?’, The Conversation, 17 June.
• Bartels L (2015), Indigenous-specific court initiatives to support Indigenous defendants, victims and witnesses, Brief No 17, Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse, 1-8.
• Bartels L and Bradfield R (2015), Phasing out of suspended sentences – Background paper, Tasmanian Sentencing Advisory Council, 94pp. 
• Bradfield R and Bartels L (2015), Phasing out of suspended sentences – Consultation paper, Tasmanian Sentencing Advisory Council, 160pp. 
• Walker J and Bartels L (2015), Exploring the costs of alternatives to suspended sentences in Tasmania, prepared for the Tasmanian Sentencing Advisory Council, 47pp. 
• Bartels L (2014), Literature review on intensive supervision orders – A report prepared for the ACT Justice and Community Safety Directorate, 85pp. 
• Bartels L (2013), ‘Juries and social media: Is there a solution?’ The Conversation, 31 July.
• Bartels L (2012), ‘Safe haven: Preventing women from harming their babies’,The Conversation, 7 February. 
• Bartels L (2012), Sentencing of Indigenous women, Brief No 14, Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse, 1-8. 
• Bartels L and Easteal P (2012), ‘Domestic violence: How the law treats women who kill a violent partner’, The Conversation, 31 July. 
• Bartels L (2011), ‘Prisons, injecting drug use and blood-borne viruses: Continuing challenges’, HIV Australia, 9(1):15-17.
• Bartels L (2011), Crime prevention programs for culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia,Research in Practice No 18, AIC, 1-14.
• Bartels L (2011), Knife crime: Incidence, aetiology and responses, Technical and Background Paper No 45, AIC, 56pp. 
• Bartels L (2011), Police interviews with vulnerable adults, Research in Practice No 21, AIC, 1-13. 
• Bartels L and Gaffney A (2011), Good practice in women’s prisons: A literature review, Technical and Background Paper No 41, AIC, 92pp.
• Bartels L (2010), A review of confiscation schemes in Australia, Technical and Background Paper No 36, AIC, 46pp. 
• Bartels L (2010), Diversion programs for Indigenous women, Research in Practice No 13, AIC, 1-12.
• Bartels L (2010), Emerging issues in domestic and family violence research, Research in Practice No 10, AIC, 1-11. 
• Bartels L (2010), The status of laws on outlaw motorcycle gangs in Australia, Research in Practice No 2, 2^nded, AIC, 1-12. 
• Bartels L and Rice S (2010), A report on suspended sentences in the ACT, Report prepared for the ACT Law Reform Advisory Council, 48pp. 
• Bartels L (2009), The status of laws on outlaw motorcycle gangs in Australia,Research in Practice No 2, AIC, 1-9.
• Bartels L (2005), ‘Crown appeals in NSW’, Criminal Law News, 12(3): 39-40.
• Bartels L (2001), ‘Key features of the Criminal Procedure Amendment (Pre-trial Disclosure) Act 2001 (NSW)’, Criminal Law News, 8(6): 53-55.
• Bartels L (2001), ‘Suspended sentences in NSW’, Criminal Law News, 8(9) 81-83.

Confidential reports 

• Edwards B, Taylor H, Bartels L and Ensler M (2021), Evaluation Framework: Reducing recidivism by 25% by 2025, prepared for the ACT Government, 23pp.
• Rossner M, Bartels L, Gelb K and Payne J (2021), ACT Drug and Alcohol Sentencing List: Process evaluation, prepared for the ACT Supreme Court, 124pp.
• Holder R, Bartels L, Taylor H, and Allen-Kelly K (2021), Projects assisting victims’ experiences and recovery (PAVER) review – Final report, prepared for the ACT Government, 230pp. 
• Holder R, Taylor H, Bartels L and Allen-Kelly K (2020), Projects assisting victims’ experiences and recovery (PAVER) review – Interim report, prepared for the ACT Government, 123pp. 
• Bartels L and Henshaw M (2020a), Cross-jurisdictional review of Australian legislation governing outlaw motorcycle gangs, prepared for the AIC, 17pp.
• Bartels L and Henshaw M (2020b), Outlaw motorcycle gangs – Legislative reforms, 2009-2019, prepared for the AIC, 22pp.
• Gelb K, Bartels L and Payne J (2019), Monitoring and evaluation of drug courts: A review of best practice, prepared for the ACT Supreme Court, 58pp.
• Bartels L (2018), Analysis of ACT prison population and imprisonment trends to help reduce demand on the Alexander Maconochie Centre, prepared for the ACT Government, 94 pp.
• Taplin S, Suomi A and Bartels L (2017), Report on the consultancy to review the role of therapeutic jurisprudence in the management of care and protection matters before the ACT Children’s Court,prepared for the ACT Chief Magistrate, 75pp.
• Bartels L (2011), Research gaps in Indigenous sexual assault, prepared for the Criminology Research Council, 9pp.
• Bartels L and Rice S (2010), Discussion paper: The rate of imposition of suspended sentences in the ACT, prepared for the ACT Law Reform Advisory Council, 16pp.
• Bartels L and Rice S (2010), Evaluation of the current ACT regime for suspended sentences, prepared for the ACT Law Reform Advisory Council, 22pp.
• Bartels L and Gaffney A (2010), A literature review on good practice in women’s prison systems, Report prepared for Corrections Victoria, 98pp.
• Bartels L (2008), A review of breaches of court orders – Available data and best practice, prepared for the Criminology Research Council, 28pp.
• Bartels L (2008), The challenges of mainstreaming specialty courts in the criminal justice system, prepared for the Criminology Research Council, 46pp.

Law and justice reform submissions 

• Bartels L and Payne J (2019), Submission to the ACT Healthy Prison review, 7pp.
• Boland J, Bartels L, Naylor B, Mackay A and Hopkins A (2018), Submission on the ACT Human Rights Standards for Corrective Services, 16pp. 
• Bartels L (2017), Submission to the ACT Drug and Alcohol Court Consultation Paper, 3pp.
• Bartels L (2017), Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission Inquiry into the Incarceration Rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 11pp.
• Bartels L (2017), Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs into the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2017 [Provisions], 8pp. 
• Bartels L (2014), Supplementary submission to the ACT Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety Inquiry into Sentencing, 8pp.
• Bartels L (2013), Submission to the ACT Justice and Community Safety Directorate Review of Criminal Justice Statistics, 5pp.
• Bartels L (2013), Submission to the ACT Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety Inquiry into Sentencing, 12pp.
• Bartels L (2012), Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs Inquiry into the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Powers and Offences) Bill 2011 (Cth), 3pp.
• Wallace A, Bartels L and Hopkins A (2011), Submission to the ACT Standing Committee on Justice and Community Safety on the Criminal Proceedings Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 (ACT), 3pp.
• Tomison A, Bartels L and Choo K-KR (2010), Submission to the Inquiry on theCrimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Offences against Children) Bill 2010 (Cth), 5pp. 

Notes

• Anthony T, Gerry F and Bartels L (2020), ‘COVID-19 and prison’, Australian and New Zealand Society of Criminology Newsletter. 
• Gerry F, Anthony T and Bartels L (2020), ‘Second open letter to Australian governments on the impact of COVID-19 on prisons’, 9pp
• Bartels L, Anthony T and Fletcher K (2020), ‘Open letter to Australian governments on the impact of COVID-19 on the criminal justice system’, 2pp.
• Bartels L and Hopkins A (2015), ‘Down Under All Over: Sentencing in the ACT’, Alternative Law Journal, 40: 139.
• Bartels L (2014), ‘Down Under All Over: ACT reforms to sentencing’, Alternative Law Journal, 39: 273-274.
• Bartels L (2013), ‘Down Under All Over: A sentencing council for the ACT?’, Alternative Law Journal, 38:55.
• Bartels L (2013), ‘Down Under All Over: New criminal laws for the ACT’, Alternative Law Journal, 38:129. 

• community corrections, including parole 
• courts
• correctional policy and prison management
• family and sexual violence
• sentencing law, policy and practice
• therapeutic jurisprudence
• the treatment of women in the criminal justice system
• the treatment of Indigenous peoples in the criminal justice system

• Kym Lindeman, Exploring experiences of women and incidences of misconduct in a NSW correctional centre (ANU, with G Smith and H Keane).

1. Stories of pervasive uncertainty: A victim-focused analysis of victim impact statements and sentencing in sexual offence cases (University of Tasmania)
2. Straight-talking, but from the heart: Exploring judicial court-craft in sentencing offenders for intimate partner violence (University of Tasmania).
3. Equal justice – The importance of understanding the subjective experiences of participants in the adversarial criminal justice system (University of Canberra (UC).
4. Hayley Boxall, Ending domestic violence: The role and experiences of women in men’s behavioural change (ANU).