A Guide to Prisons and Penal Policy: Prisons Unlocked

This guide provides a comprehensive and critical overview of the prison system in England and Wales, covering key information, theories, concepts, research, and policy. It focuses on the experiences of stakeholder groups and explores themes of power, legitimacy, and rehabilitation, concluding with an overview of future challenges.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 188 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2023
Publisher: Bristol University Press

Understanding prisons and the policies surrounding them is of fundamental importance to students and practitioners of criminology and related fields. This comprehensive and accessible guide offers a compendium of key information, theories, concepts, research, and policy, presenting a rounded and critical overview of the prison system in England and Wales. Covering the historical and contemporary context of prisons, the text guides the reader through the work of prison officers, a tour of international prisons, and how prison life is experienced by different groups, such as women. Focusing on the experiences of stakeholder groups and the themes of power, legitimacy, and rehabilitation, the book concludes with an overview of the future challenges for prisons. Each chapter includes key learning features:

• End-of-chapter questions
• Definitions of key terms and concepts
• Examples and illustrative case studies
• Learning outcomes
• Summary boxes of major research studies and further reading.

The prison system in England and Wales is a complex and multifaceted institution that plays a significant role in the criminal justice system. It is responsible for the detention, supervision, and rehabilitation of individuals who have been convicted of crimes. The prison system is divided into several categories, including local prisons, national prisons, and private prisons. Local prisons are typically managed by local authorities and house inmates who have been sentenced to short-term imprisonment or who are awaiting trial. National prisons, on the other hand, are managed by the Ministry of Justice and house inmates who have been sentenced to longer-term imprisonment or who are considered to be a high risk to the public. Private prisons are operated by private companies and are funded by the government.

The prison system in England and Wales has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including overcrowding, poor conditions, and high levels of violence. Overcrowding is a major issue, with many prisons operating at or above capacity, leading to increased levels of violence and social unrest. Poor conditions, including inadequate food, healthcare, and sanitation, can also lead to health problems and a decline in the quality of life for inmates. High levels of violence, including gang-related violence and sexual assault, are also a concern, with many inmates reporting feeling unsafe and threatened.

In response to these challenges, the government has implemented several policies aimed at improving the prison system. These policies include the reduction of overcrowding, the improvement of conditions, and the promotion of rehabilitation and reintegration into society. The government has also introduced initiatives to reduce the number of people who are imprisoned, such as the use of alternatives to imprisonment, such as community sentences and probation.

Despite these efforts, the prison system in England and Wales still faces numerous challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the high rate of recidivism, which refers to the rate of people who are imprisoned again after being released. Recidivism is a complex issue that is influenced by a variety of factors, including poverty, lack of education, and mental health problems. Another challenge is the lack of support for inmates who are released from prison, including access to housing, employment, and healthcare.

In conclusion, understanding prisons and the policies surrounding them is of fundamental importance to students and practitioners of criminology and related fields. The prison system in England and Wales is a complex and multifaceted institution that faces numerous challenges, including overcrowding, poor conditions, and high levels of violence. Despite these challenges, the government has implemented several policies aimed at improving the prison system, including the reduction of overcrowding, the improvement of conditions, and the promotion of rehabilitation and reintegration into society. However, there is still much work to be done to address the challenges facing the prison system, and it is important that policymakers and practitioners continue to work together to find solutions to these issues.

Weight: 338g
Dimension: 243 x 171 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781447365426