Punishment, Imprisonment and Detention
| Module title | Punishment, Imprisonment and Detention |
|---|---|
| Module code | SOC3123 |
| Academic year | 2021/2 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Mrs Abi Dymond (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 40 |
|---|
Module description
This module will provide an opportunity to engage with some of the key criminological, sociological and interdisciplinary concepts, critical issues and perennial debates in the study of punishment, imprisonment and detention. This includes philosophies, rationales and theoretical discussions around punishment and imprisonment, as well as current policies and practices. Punishment and detention are broadly conceived so that, while there is a focus on prisons and lived experience of imprisonment, this is also accompanied by a focus on punishment beyond imprisonment, and on accountability and monitoring mechanisms. Whilst the focus is predominantly on England and Wales, literature and examples will be drawn from a range of countries, to allow you to put punishment, imprisonment and detention into an international context.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to allow students to engage with some of the key criminological, sociological and interdisciplinary concepts, critical issues and perennial debates in the study of punishment, imprisonment and detention. There will be a focus on philosophies, rationales and theoretical discussions around punishment and detention; policies and practices; imprisonment and punishment beyond imprisonment.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Critically analyse practical issues and contemporary debates of relevance to punishment, imprisonment and/or detention
- 2. Critically assess and clearly apply the academic literature to debates around punishment, imprisonment and/or detention
- 3. Demonstrate clear, detailed and nuanced understanding of punishment, imprisonment and/or detention
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Demonstrate in writing an ability to analyse criminological and sociological materials and critically engage with these involving complex reasoning
- 5. Use relevant literature to contribute to contemporary issues and debates
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Present a clear, evidence-based argument both verbally and in writing
- 7. Conduct guided independent study in order to research a specific topic / question
- 8. Demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task
Syllabus plan
Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:
- Philosophies and rationales for punishment, detention and imprisonment
- Alternatives to imprisonment
- Disparities in punishment and imprisonment
- Researching places of detention and the role of the researcher.
- Prisons
- Probation
- Immigration Detention
- Other places of detention (mental health, police custody, transit, care homes)
- Pains of Imprisonment
- Adaptation – Importation debate
- Use of force
- Segregation and solitary confinement
- Long term imprisonment
- Prisoners and gender
- Black and Ethnic Minority Prisoners
- The role of the prison officer
- Breadth of detention: Impact on families, prisoners and rehabilitation
- Monitoring, oversight and accountability
- The monitoring of places of detention in international context
- The politics of imprisonment: A Punitive Turn
- Alternatives to places of detention
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 256 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activity | 22 | 11 x 2 hrs lectures |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activity | 22 | 11 x 2 hrs seminars |
| Guided independent study | 56 | Reading for seminars |
| Guided independent study | 100 | Preparation for essay |
| Guided independent study | 100 | Preparation for exam |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| A short, essay based, mock exam, conducted during a seminar | 20 minutes | 1-8 | Feedback will be given by peers, supported by the tutor. This will give students the opportunity to hone their exam technique, and to informally practice / develop skills around giving and receiving feedback. Additional support will be provided by the tutor during office hours. |
| Participation in seminars | ongoing | 1-7 | Verbal feedback by tutor. |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 50 | 3,500 words | 1-8 | Written |
| Exam | 50 | 2 hours | 1-8 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (3,500 words) | 1-8 | August/September reassessment period |
| Exam | Exam (2 hours) | 1-8 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Prison Reform Trust (2019) Prison: the facts. Bromley Briefings Summer 2019. Available online at http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Bromley%20Briefings/Prison%20the%20facts%20Summer%202019.pdf
Garland, D (1991) 'Sociological perspectives on punishment' Crime and Justice 14:115- 165
Sykes, G. (2007), The Society of Captives: A Study of a Maximum Security Prison. Princeton: Princeton University Press. The chapter on 'Pains of Imprisonment', available here: http://psychology.beauchamp.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2014/06/painsofimprisonment.pdf
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 11/02/2020 |
| Last revision date | 11/02/2020 |
