Rationale
The purpose of the module is to critically analyse and evaluate theoretical and philosophical justifications of punishment together with political ideology that impact upon penal policy and practice. An exploration of the role and emergence of the modern prison and its internal culture and organisation will constitute an important element of the programme, as will the ‘Americanisation’ of the penal system and the impact of prison privatisation. Underpinning the module will be the aim to develop an appreciation of the consistencies, contradictions and conflicts that relate not only to theoretical discussion but to the less abstract level of policy formulation and actual penal practice. A critical assessment of the ethos of incarceration will be a major theme.
Furthermore this module addresses a range of issues and ethical dilemmas that derive from the ‘real world’ of applied methods and strategies of penal intervention. Considerations of class, gender and ethnicity constitute key aspects of the conceptual framework and the principles of ‘security, control and justice’ are critically examined in the operational context. Particular attention is directed to the diversity of experience, response and adaptation of those subjected to the varied sanctions within the penal system. Power imbalance and the relationships of authority, discipline and coercion are central issues within the overall perspective. Important areas included are: young people, foreign national and ethnic minority prisoners, life-sentence prisoners; the treatment of vulnerable prisoners and mentally disordered offenders in penal and other ‘controlling’ institutions. Human Rights legislation in the prison context will also be critically analysed.