Predictive Algorithms in Justice Systems and the Limits of Tech-Reformism
Open accessAbstract
Data-driven digital technologies are playing a pivotal role in shaping the global landscape of criminal justice across several jurisdictions. Predictive algorithms, in particular, now inform decision making at almost all levels of the criminal justice process. As the algorithms continue to proliferate, a fast-growing multidisciplinary scholarship has emerged to challenge their logics and highlight their capacity to perpetuate historical biases. Drawing on insights distilled from critical algorithm studies and the digital sociology scholarship, this paper outlines the limits of prevailing tech-reformist remedies. The paper also builds on the interstices between the two scholarships to make a case for a broader structural framework for understanding the conduits of algorithmic bias.
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There is a clear limit to technological reformism in justice systems.
“As Ugwudike (2022) points out, there is a clear limit to technological reformism in justice systems.”
From Scoping review on the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning with structured instruments to predict juvenile recidivism (2026) · cites this paper as Ugwudike, 2022
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Argudo Palacios, A., & Mechraoui, A. (2026) · Cuadernos de RES PUBLICA en derecho y criminología · doi:10.46661/respublica.13244
“As Ugwudike (2022) points out, there a clear limit to technological reformism in justice systems.”
- Authors
- Ugwudike, P.
- ORCID
- Ugwudike, Pam
- Venue
- International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy
- Publisher
- Queensland University of Technology
- Published
- 2022-03-01
- Volume
- 11
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 85-99
- ISSN
- 2202-7998 (ISSN-L)
- 2202-8005
- OpenAlex
- W4214595003
- Cited by
- 29
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 3
- FWCI
- 5.80
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Locations
- International Journal for Crime Justice and Social Democracy (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- ePrints Soton (University of Southampton) (acceptedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- International Journal for Crime, Justice and Social Democracy (Queensland University of Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Ethics and Social Impacts of AI
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Artificial Intelligence in Law
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis
- Keywords
- predictive algorithms, criminal justice, algorithmic bias, critical algorithm studies, digital sociology, data-driven decision making, structural bias, algorithmic governance
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