Prison Research Network
Convenor – Professor David Best, the University of Derby
Steering Group: Cormac Behan (University of Sheffield), Sacha Darke (University of Westminster), Bill Davies (Leeds Becket University), Laura Piacentini (University of Strathclyde), Serena Wright (Cambridge University).
Prison research has deep historical links with the development of British criminology. The dramatic and sustained growth of prison populations and the proliferation of penal regimes have fostered a corresponding growth within the BSC of prison research and critical engagement with penal affairs. The PRN offers a means for discussion, critical analysis and sharing perspectives or experience among diverse and dispersed BSC members.
Aims
- To provide a forum for prison researchers and other BSC members to share information and experience about prisons with a view to developing critical analysis and debate across research, policy and practice communities.
- To advance understandings and appreciation of the range of contemporary prison research in the four jurisdictions of the UK, the rest of Europe and the wider international environment.
- To foster opportunities for collaborative practice among prison researchers, criminologists, prisoners, prison staff and other ‘user groups’ in the penal and voluntary sector.
- To encourage networking between academics, researchers, practitioners and students interested in prison research and issues.
Forthcoming Events
Surviving Prison and Probation – November 7, 2019
This event will be at De Montfort University and is in association with the Prisons and Probation Research Hub at De Montfort University, Leicester.
Please see Eventbrite for registration
Overview
Carl Cattermole, author of ‘Prison: A survival guide’, will talk from a lived experience account of what life in a UK prison is really like, and Roz Morrison, will talk about surviving probation from a professional perspective, reflecting on changes in recent years that have impacted on practice and influence our thinking about research.
Draft agenda
1pm arrivals (for PRN meeting)
1.30 – 2.30pm – PRN Meeting (Room booked in Hugh Aston 1.48, building 20 on the campus map)
2.30 – 2.45pm – Transitions to event space (Castle Business School, De Montfort University, Leicester, building 24 on the campus map)
2.45 – 3pm – Welcome and intros to PRN/DMU Prison and Probation Research Hub Event
3.00 – 3.30pm Speaker 1: Carl Cattermole
3.30pm – 4pm Speaker 2: Roz Morrison
4pm – 4.30pm: Questions/discussion
4.45pm – Closing comments
5.00pm – Drinks
Read the blog by David Best – Celebrating Survival
Where possible, three Network meetings a year are planned, usually around a theme of interest to members of the network. Activities may include small conferences, seminars and symposia with invited speakers external to the group or provided by group members.
Future events are announced in the bi-monthly BSC bulletin.
Joining and staying in touch
The network has a small steering group and a convenor that plan and co-ordinate meetings and other activity on an annual basis. A mailing list will assist in communication between members and interested parties.
Click here for a flyer of a new book Convict Criminology by former network chair Dr Rod Earle.
Contact the Network
Professor David Best – D.Best@derby.ac.uk
Twitter – @BSC_PN
Websites of interest
The Howard League for Penal Reform – http://www.howardleague.org/
Prison Reform Trust – http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/