Penology - LAWS3105

Description

Recommended Prior Knowledge

Course Objectives

• To study and critically reflect upon a range of materials and issues which arise out of what traditionally has been called penology, or the study of punishment.
• To develop a deeper understanding of factors that underpin imprisonment and of the key processes involved in the field.
• To enhance the ability to engage with theoretical, legal, sociological, criminological and penological, and cultural sources and knowledges.
• The development of policy analysis skills and interdisciplinary intellectual skills which are transferable.
• To enhance students’ abilities to undertake high quality research.
• To develop students’ capacity to construct written and oral argument, which demonstrates interdisciplinary research skills, and enhanced policy skills.

Main Topics

• The colonial context of punishment in Australia.
• The phenomenon of mass imprisonment.
• The "new punitiveness", sentencing and parole.
• The courts, the law and prisoners rights.
• Indigenous imprisonment.
• Women's imprisonment.
• Immigration detention.
• Prison privatisation.

Assessment

Course Texts

• David Brown and Meredith Wilkie (eds) (2002) Prisoners as Citizens, The Federation Press
• Michael Grewcock (2009) Border Crimes, Institute of Criminology Press
• John Pratt et al (eds) (2005) The New Punitiveness, Willan Publishing