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Comparative legal and penological research conducted by Professor Dirk van Zyl Smit (DvZS) and Dr Róisín Mulgrew (RM) has had a significant effect internationally and nationally in shaping law and policy relating to the implementation of imprisonment in general, and on life imprisonment, sanctions for young offenders and the transfer and treatment of foreign and international prisoners in particular. This research has underpinned the creation and development of penal law and policy in states (e.g. Bangladesh and Malaysia), international and regional organisations (e.g, European Union, Council of Europe, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime), as well as in the judgments and policies of international and regional human rights and criminal courts and tribunals (e.g. European Court of Human Rights and the International Criminal Court).
This case study reflects on Professor Joe Sim's work, and his public engagement with the academic, political, public and policy debates, around penal policy and deaths in custody. The underpinning aims of Sim's research are to: alleviate the pains and harms associated with deaths in custody for bereaved families; highlight the experiences of those staff committed to humane reform; engage critically with policies around penal reform in order to develop alternatives to custody based on humanity and social justice; and attempt to hold to account those who deliver penal policy. The ultimate aim is to heal the individual offender, reduce victimisation and protect wider society.
This research has made a sustainable and long-term impact on law and policy in relation to prisoners, families and global human rights, not only in the UK but in Europe and the rest of the world. The research directly informed the decision of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights in the Dickson v UK case concerning the reproductive rights of prisoners and their partners, which has had a significant and demonstrable impact on the lived experiences of prisoners and their families, including enabling prisoners' partners to gain access to fertility services in order to become pregnant. This research has also informed the design and delivery of prison intervention programmes for offenders and their families.
This impact case study emanates from two ESRC grants. The impacts yielded by it are theoretical, in that they advance thinking in relation to identities, penal theory and research methodology; policy related in that they have already impacted on National Offender Management Service (NOMS) prison related policies; and practical, in that they have changed the practices in the prison where the research was undertaken.
This case study describes the impact of research on reading and writing in prisons for prisoners at HMP Edinburgh, through a partnership between the BA (Hons) English Suite at Edinburgh Napier, Fife College (previously `Carnegie College') and the Scottish Prison Service (SPS). Dr Anne Schwan's research into the literary and cultural significance of literacy in prisons has resulted in a partnership that benefits prisoners who receive one-to-one tuition from student volunteers. The students engage in literacy and creative writing exercises at the prison. These activities provide tailored support that could not be offered within the resource constraints of regular educational provision.
Our work has impacted positively on the lives of prisoners, influenced prison-education practice, and contributed to public- and third-sector debates around the penal system. We achieved this by the production, dissemination and evaluation of Free to Write, an anthology combining cultural-historical analysis with prisoners' writing; through research on the experiences of prisoners in the past; and in the publication of a well-received series of crime novels challenging assumptions about criminality. Through practice-based and academic research, knowledge exchange with practitioners in public- and third-sectors, and creative outputs directed to specialist and non-specialist audiences, staff explored the role of creative writing in prisoner rehabilitation, addressing recidivism and in raising public awareness of the complex nature of offending.
This case study details Dr. Michael Naughton's translation of his sociological research on wrongful convictions and imprisonment into practical help for alleged victims and into policy reforms in the UK and internationally. It refers to five impacts, all occurring wholly or mainly since 2008: (1) Generating a shift in thinking by the Parole Board in 2008 about prisoners maintaining innocence which in turn triggered reforms to prison policy on the treatment of such prisoners in 2010. (2) Establishing 26 innocence projects in UK universities under the banner of the Innocence Network UK (INUK) which has influenced casework and generated pro bono work equivalent to over £5 million. (3) Supporting and shaping the working practices of those innocence projects by creating mandatory protocols instituted in 2008, organising national training conferences (eleven in total between 2008 and 2013) and providing supporting materials that have been updated yearly. (4) Raising public and media awareness, both of the limitations of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) and the issue of wrongful convictions in general. (5) Influencing criminal justice policy in the United States and Australia: in particular, helping prevent the wholesale adoption of the UK CCRC system in Australia in 2010 as Naughton's research had demonstrated functional flaws and potential harms in that system.
In 2008 Mary Cooper was commissioned by Clean Break Theatre, London and Action for Prisoners' Families (APF) to write a short drama which would address issues particular to women in prison and their families. The drama toured women's prisons in 2009. In 2010 Cooper was commissioned to adapt the stage play as a short film, which went on to win the IVCA Gold Award for Best Drama 2010. It is now widely recommended by leading charities and agencies and regularly used as a training tool throughout England and Wales to increase understanding of family relationships within prisoners' families.
Research carried out at the University of Bradford has directly and indirectly influenced how prisons in England and Wales respond to issues of diversity and equalities; consequently impacting the lived experience of those working and residing in prisons. The research has contributed to the development of a national equalities policy framework; the development of new national and local policies and guidance for the care and management of transgender offenders; revisions to and widening of the mechanisms for prisoner reporting and investigation of discrimination and inequality, and the development of human capital through a more equalities literate workforce and prisoner population.
The case study refers to research conducted by the Centre for Applied Criminology (CAC), which has focused on HMP Grendon. This document evidences the following impacts:
* Effects on and changes and benefits to policy and practice within and beyond HMP Grendon.
* Reduction or prevention of harm / negative effects upon staff and prisoners at HMP Grendon.
* Effects on awareness and understanding of needs specific groups of prisoners at HMP Grendon.
* Changes and benefits to opportunities available for HMP Grendon prisoners and applicants.
* Benefits in terms of awareness of penal issues amongst audiences of specific media.