1. On completion of this module, you will be able to show a broad understanding of punishment and crime control theories while demonstrating awareness that this knowledge base is open to ongoing debate and reformulation

2. On completion of this module, you will be able to understand the development of punishment and its justifications in a wider societal context

3. On completion of this module, you will be able to critically analyse the links between crime and its control and to develop a critical understanding of the importance of the wider societal context in understanding penal policy formation, implementation and practice

4. On completion of this module, you will be able to develop a critical knowledge of carceral research and the surrounding debate.

This module will be assessed by means of a 3000-word essay. You will choose from a list of essay questions that will be released at a later date. In order to answer the question well, you will need to draw upon knowledge and understanding gained across a number of lectures. Further guidance will be provided by the module leader. Assessment will assess learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Learners will have the opportunity to submit formative coursework as part of the module, they will receive formative feedback on draft work.

This module will enable students to critically analyse and evaluate theoretical and philosophical justifications of punishment together with political ideology that impact upon penal policy and practice. In addition, this module will locate this analysis in 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. Considerations of class, gender and ethnicity and their links to imprisonment will be at the core of this module.

Integrated into this module is a critical analysis of the social situation and internal culture that offenders experience (both community and prison sentenced offenders). 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, human rights, civil liberties and the relationships of authority, discipline and coercion are central issues within the overall perspective of this module.

The main themes of this module include: philosophical and theoretical contributions to an understanding of punishments, the politics of punishments, policy developments in penal practice, offender rights and responsibilities, the wider instrumental role of prison in the criminal justice process, determining contexts and punishments (for example, gender, race, age, class, disability, etc.), comparative penology and penal abolitionism.

This module will cover employability skills; including, but not limited to, building students’ knowledge and understanding of core functions and debates in the prison and punishment realms as well as introducing students to a range of potential criminal justice professions in the statutory, voluntary and non-governmental sectors.

This module reflects the subject knowledge and understanding concerning the philosophy and politics of criminalisation, victimisation, criminal justice and modes of punishment. An integral part of this module is a critical analysis of power imbalance, human rights, civil liberties and the relationships of authority, discipline and coercion. The main aim is to review the politics of punishment and the socio-political controversies and debates which have shaped contemporary policies and penal practices.

The main themes of this module include: philosophical and theoretical contributions to an understanding of punishments, the politics of punishments, policy developments in penal practice, offender rights and responsibilities, the wider instrumental role of prison in the criminal justice process, determining contexts and punishments (for example, gender, race, age, class, disability, etc.), comparative penology and penal abolitionism.

Out of 200 hours, 26 hours will be class contact delivered in a lecture/seminar format, and 174 hours will be self-guided, independent study.

Cavadino, M. et al. (2020) The Penal System: An Introduction. 6th edn. London: Sage.

Foucault, M. (1991) Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. London: Penguin Books.

Garland, D. (2001) The Culture of Control: Crime and Social Order in Contemporary Society. Oxford: Open University Press.

Jewkes, Y., Bennett, J. & Crewe, B. (eds.) (2016) Handbook on Prisons. London: Routledge.

Mair, G. & Rumgay, J. (eds.) (2014) Probation: Key Readings. London: Routledge.

Pillsbury, S. H. (ed.) (2019) Imagining a Greater Justice: Criminal Violence, Punishment and Relational¿Justice. London:¿Routledge.

Simon, J. & Sparks, R. (2013) The SAGE Handbook of Punishment and Society. London: Sage.

Treadwell, J. (2013) Criminology: The Essentials. 2nd edn. London: Sage.

Additional reading available from the online reading list.

- The University library

- PCs with standard suite of University software providing access to email, the internet, word processing, etc.

- Lecture rooms equipped with PowerPoint, OHP, whiteboard and with access for disabled students, and suitable for group work

- Tutorial rooms for small group work

- The Blackboard virtual learning environment

- Full-text journals database for criminology (SAGE)