Abstract

The online space has changed the way that individuals who have lived experience of the criminal justice system (CJS) are treated by wider society at the earliest stages of investigation, and through to desistance, post-custody. This chapter addresses the challenges faced throughout the justice system where vulnerability is both caused and propagated, identifying harms caused or perpetuated by the online space, specifically in the death of Caroline Flack and the trolling on Paul Ansell. Both of the named cases demonstrate issues relating to claiming ‘self-justice’ and digital vigilantism. Digital vigilantism will be positioned as a retributive form of punishment justified by politicized manifestos advocating the importance of public protection, over the wellbeing of stigmatized populations, such as those who encounter the CJS.