Women Godfathers of Organised Crime: As Presented by Twenty-Three Auto/Biographies

Abstract

This thesis is guided by a grounded theoretical framework and explores the experiences presented in the auto/biographical accounts of women who have occupied management positions in illicit businesses and organised criminal networks. This project brings attention to a previously under-researched phenomenon within criminological research: the role of women as perpetrators within organised crime and not only as victims. It highlights that the current conceptualisation of organised crime as a “male” business is incorrect. The findings of this project demonstrate that women have occupied controlling positions for at least 150 years, across various countries and industries, and that similarities can be identified in their illicit career pathways. A narrative analysis is conducted of women's criminal career pathways in illicit business. Consideration is given to social and political factors impacting their entrance into an illicit industry and the complex process of patriarchal bargaining taking place once they have become active in organised criminal behaviours. A commonality between the women’s social position, specifically their corresponding levels of social, cultural and economic capital, and the illicit industry they initially participated in was identified. Furthermore, their reliance on gatekeepers to facilitate entrance into an illicit business and their succession within family businesses during times of crisis is discussed. This leads onto consideration of the push and pull factors experienced by the women, because of legislation and policy changes. An examination of women's experiences of abuse and utilisation of violence is conducted to produce a new theoretical model of women's criminal career pathways in organised crime. This considers the business strategies of sex and violence utilised by the women, in conjunction with their reliance on neutralisation techniques to rationalise their illicit business activities, allowing for their continued involvement in organised criminal activities. Overall, this research highlights the complex processes undertaken by women to achieve leadership positions within organised criminal networks and illicit business. The thesis contributes to criminological knowledge about women’s involvement in organised crime and the literature on gender and crime more broadly, through the analysis of the representations of women’s pathways through illicit business and organised criminal networks.