In 1979, Jeffrey Reiman published the first edition of his book, The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison. The book’s title perfectly summarised the systemic… Read more “Criminalisation and injustice: double standards which target the poor”
Blogs about Prison
Injustice and the consequences of conviction
In an interview for Injustice, Penelope Gibbs, the director of Transform Justice, tells us of the ways in which a conviction constitutes multiple punishments. The conviction itself… Read more “Injustice and the consequences of conviction”
On public perceptions of crime and Making a Murderer
There has been some good news for Brendan Dassey, whose dodgy conviction was the subject of the Netflix documentary Making a Murderer. A federal appeals court has… Read more “On public perceptions of crime and Making a Murderer”
Former IMB Chair Faith Spear shares concerns which got her sacked
Below is an interview with former Chair of the Independent Prison Monitoring Board (IMB), Faith Spear. Read her original complaint and her insightful criminal justice blog here. Can you… Read more “Former IMB Chair Faith Spear shares concerns which got her sacked”
A death on remand, innocents in prison and documentary
On 17th May 2017 a prisoner on remand in Maghaberry Prison died. I don’t know him, and you probably don’t either. There are as yet no details about… Read more “A death on remand, innocents in prison and documentary”
Prison statistics and the hypocrisy of a “caring” society
We now have a research section including prison statistics on the website here. See below for snippets on homelessness, children, military, mental health, race, class, gender and… Read more “Prison statistics and the hypocrisy of a “caring” society”
The Abolitionist Message on Prison Reform, David Gordon Scott
David Gordon Scott on abolitionism: Penal abolitionism is a radical style of thinking which acknowledges that there are many different ways of interpreting and understanding problematic behaviours,… Read more “The Abolitionist Message on Prison Reform, David Gordon Scott”
“Tougher” community sentences: good prison alternatives?
A guest blog. We’re looking up at the tall hedge – a bunch of convicts wondering how we can put the scaffold frame on a sloped bank… Read more ““Tougher” community sentences: good prison alternatives?”
Neuroscience and the end of criminal responsibility?
“Your responsibility.” Own it, and pay the price. That’s what we’re told and that’s what we try to do. You fail, you pay. Prison is all about… Read more “Neuroscience and the end of criminal responsibility?”
Understanding crime: Realism doesn’t belong to the right!
Guest blog from Prof Steve Hall Over the years social science has made a lot of noise about its ability to shatter the myths that constitute popular… Read more “Understanding crime: Realism doesn’t belong to the right!”