• E4J University Module Series: Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

• Module 6: Prison Reform

• Introduction and learning outcomes

• Key issues

  • Topic 1: Introducing the aims of punishment, imprisonment and the concept of prison reform
  • Topic 2: Current trends, key challenges and human rights
  • Topic 3: Towards humane prisons and an appropriate resort to alternative sanctions
  • Summary
  • References

• Exercises

• Case studies

• Possible class structure  

• Core reading

• Advanced reading

• Student assessment

• Additional teaching tools

• Guidelines to develop a stand-alone course

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• First published in July 2019
  

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  This module is a resource for lecturers  

 

Student assessment

 

This section provides suggestions for a post-class assignment for the purpose of assessing student understanding of the Module. Suggestions for pre-class or in-class assignments are provided in the Exercises section.

 

Assessment questions

To assess students' understanding of the Module, possible essay/examination questions could include:  

• To what extent can and does the sanction of imprisonment meet the differing aims of criminal punishment? 
• "Individuals are sent to prison as  punishment, not for  punishment." Discuss.
• Why are prisoners' rights important?
• Are prisons in crisis around the world?
• To what extent are Sykes's 'pains of imprisonment' relevant to contemporary understanding of the impact of imprisonment?
• "Prisons detain the most vulnerable and marginal groups in society." Discuss.
• "Prison staff are underpaid and overworked." Discuss.
• To what extent, if at all, should prisoners' complaints be treated seriously?
• Which human rights standards are the most relevant to prison reform in the twenty-first century? To what extent can and should they be implemented?
• Discuss the extent to which individualized sentence plans, normalized regimes and constructive activities can improve public safety?
• Can the development of alternatives to imprisonment address the problem of overcrowding in prisons?
• "Imprisonment around the world should be abolished." Discuss.

 

Assessed presentations

Assessed presentations provide a useful basis from which to assess whether students have understood the different topics covered in the classroom. Lecturers should set down a clear time-limit for assessment presentations (for example, 20 minutes, including five minutes for two to three questions from the student audience). Assessment may be based on the following three criteria:

• the delivery of the presentation, including pace, engagement with the audience, use of visual materials, handouts etc. (20%)
• a clear and logical research plan, identifying key sources, evidence of critical thinking etc. (20%); and
• the overall content and coherence of the main argument and presentation (60%).

Topics for assessed presentations should reflect one part of the Module content. The questions below are provided as examples:

• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the theories of punishment?
• Why is prison reform important?
• To what extent can prison overcrowding lead to human rights violations?
• What is it like to live in prison?
• What is the role of a prison officer?
• To what extent are prisons difficult and dangerous places to live/work in?
• Can prisons operate humanely, in line with international human rights standards?
• To what extent can alternatives to imprisonment assist in the process of prison reform?

 

Next: Additional teaching tools

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