Prisons and punishment
Coordinated by Dr Marion Vannier; organises bi-monthly RESPun seminars.
This group brings together researchers interested in penal systems, imprisonment and the broader politics of punishment. The theme focuses on creative, cross-method research approaches to studying punishment, how it is experienced and implemented. It provides a forum for critical debate on how societies respond to crime and social harm.
Areas covered
- Imprisonment and penal reform;
- Experiences of incarceration and re-entry;
- Restorative and transformative justice practices;
- Youth justice;
- Comparative studies of imprisonment;
- Ageing and older people in prison;
- Sexual harm, trauma and therapeutic support in prison;
- Prison education;
- Ethics and human rights in penal contexts.
Research-driven teaching
- CRIM20692 Understanding Punishment (BA Criminology);
- CRIM20701 Criminology and Criminal Justice in Action (BA Criminology);
- CRIM30661 Journeys out of Offending (BA Criminology);
- CRIM72212 Prisons: Exploring the Carceral World in the UK (MA/MRes Criminology).
Societal and community impact
- Informing national policy: Advising the Ministry of Justice National Strategy on the ageing prison population.
- Shaping professional guidance: An evaluation of prison talking therapy for male survivors of sexual harm, featured in BACP's briefing on counselling in prisons.
- Working with communities: Partnerships with We Are Survivors, informing post-release support, and with Recoop and Clinks.
- Shaping prison practice: A toolkit on meaningful activities for older prisoners, piloted by HMPPS.
- Learning together: Prison–university learning partnerships, including The Bridge: Stitching Opportunities, a new employability partnership with HMP Buckley Hall.
- Public engagement: Symposia and performance on prison writing.
Members
- Dr Marion Vannier
- Dr Helen Gair
- Prof David Gadd
- Prof Rosemary Jenkins
- Dr Jo Deakin
- Dr Landon Kuester
- Dr Olga Sanchez de Ribera
- Dr Jon Shute
- Dr Nico Trajtenberg
- Dr Emily Turner
- Dr Luke Graham (Law)
- Dr Vicky Taylor (HCRI)