This book examines the lives of the sentenced to argue that 'sentencing' should be re-conceived to consider the human perspective. It combines a range of modern criminological and legal theories together with interviews with prisoners in New South Wales, to examine their lives during and beyond completing the terms of imprisonment, for a more continuous and coherent perspective on the process of 'sentencing'. This book makes a strong argument for the practical advantages of listening to the voices of the sentenced and it is therefore a useful tool for the correctional community engaged in providing services and programmes to reduce recidivism. A methodological and well-researched text, this book will be of particular interest to scholars of criminal justice and the penal system, as well as policy makers and practitioners.

Challenges theorists to re-conceive the idea of the 'sentence' to incorporate the perspective of the 'sentenced' Draws on interviews with 30 prisoners with long sentences in New South Wales prisons Argues that sentences should include real, concrete expectations for the prisoners to aid their rehabilitation

Autorentext

Maggie Hall is a highly experienced criminal lawyer and social worker with 30 years experience working in the criminal justice system in New South Wales, Australia. She is currently involved in developing further research in NSW prisons as part of an international multidisciplinary team at Oxford University, UK.

Inhalt

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. The Socio-Political Context of Imprisonment in N.S.W.- Chapter 3. Theorising Sentencing.- Chapter 4. Experiencing Sentencing.- Chapter 5. Managerialism, Discipline and the 'Responsible Prisoner'.- Chapter 6. Relational aspects of imprisonment.- Chapter 7. Rehabilitation.- Chapter 8. Conclusion.