Handbook

Penology is the study of punishment and forms part of the wider academic discipline of criminology. While potentially penology covers a very wide subject matter, it tends to focus on various dimensions of imprisonment. This course examines some of the key issues associated with the use of prisons in New South Wales; introduces students to current research into the use of prisons and various forms of detention; and provides a basic introduction to prison and parole law. It builds on previous core subjects such as criminal law 1 and 2, and complements electives such as advanced criminal law.

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.

A visit to a prison or the parole authority may be organised if possible.