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CRI-30044 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Business, Law, Humanities & Social Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

CRI-30044 - Prisons and Imprisonment
Coordinator: Mary Corcoran Room: CBB1.035 Tel: +44 1782 7 33104
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

This module will introduce you to the central role that prisons play in contemporary society, both as institutions that sit at the heart of modern systems of punishment and as powerful symbols within social, political, and cultural life. The module examines key debates surrounding the purpose and function of imprisonment, its impact on prisoners, staff, families, and communities, and its relationship with broader issues of inequality, social control, and justice.

Aims
The aims of the module are to:
Provide an overview of the central debates and controversies relating to the purpose of imprisonment and the role of the modern prison;
Develop an understanding of the political, cultural and social importance of imprisonment as a centrepiece of contemporary punishment;
Understand the effects of imprisonment on key actors in the prison system, such as prisoners, staff and non-correctional personnel;
Understand the effects of custody on individuals, their families and communities, and society at large;
Explore the relationship between imprisonment and inequality;
Critically engage with the major criminological and social scientific contributions in the area of imprisonment.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/cri-30044/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

locate and interpret relevant academic, policy and activist resources about the English, Welsh and other prison systems: 1
research, interpret and solve problems in relation to imprisonment.: 1,2
critically evaluate the significance of the social, policy, policy-making and cultural context of imprisonment and the experiences of key prison factors: 2
critically evaluate and comment on the values and practices of employers/agencies involved in imprisonment including the prison service, central and local government departments, third sector organisations working with prisoners/offenders: 2
communicate findings and ideas in visual and written formats.: 1,2

Study hours

11 x 2 hour weekly lecture/workshops
1 x 2 hour Poster conference (display and exploration)
61 hours - Independent student reading + preparation for lectures/workshops.
Preparation for poster assessment - 25 hours
Preparation for final essay - 40 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Poster weighted 40%
Academic Poster
Students will individually produce an academic poster (using the Keele academic poster template). Their findings will be shared at a whole group session. Students will be required to select a case study for their poster which links with a one of the module topics. Examples may include: - The causes of 'penal crisis'. - media and public understanding of prisons. - an artefact which illustrates prison life. - Working in prisons. - Prison daily experience. - Prisoners' families. - Risk, violence and self-protection in prison. - Resistance in prisons.

2: Essay weighted 60%
Short essay 2,000 words
2000 word essay on a topic based on the lectures and tutorial content of the module. Students will choose from range of questions.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 16 September 2026