6.3 Procedures

Once selected, all available data relating to each individual were drawn from the sub-sets of agency data where information and a chronology of events and service interactions were compiled. This approach is identified methodologically as a form of ‘institutional ethnography’ which focuses on empirical observation of text through which technologies of social control become apparent (Smith 1999). All identifying information was then removed. Summarised narratives of each individual’s trajectories and institutional engagement were then compiled revealing the longitudinal pathways and multilevel interactions of these individuals as tracked through their contact with criminal justice, health and human services agencies across their lives. Short forms of these narratives for each individual are set out below.