Module manager: Dr Richard Peake
Email: R.Peake@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
There are no pre-requisites, but some knowledge of criminal justice is required and some pre-reading should be undertaken - please as preparation read Scott, D. 2008. Penology. London: Sage.
| LAW3137 | Contemporary Imprisonment |
| SLSP3910 | Discipline and Punish |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module examines the use of custodial and community sentences in contemporary society. The aim of the module is to provide detailed knowledge and understanding of issues relating to imprisonment in England and Wales and various ways in which offenders are punished and/or supervised in the community.
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of penal policy relating to the use of imprisonment and community sentences;
- demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the development of prisons and community sentences;
- demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the use of imprisonment and community sentences;
- critically evaluate the aims, functions and effectiveness of imprisonment and community sentences;
- demonstrate an awareness of policy and issues relating to the use of imprisonment and community sentences for certain groups of offenders such as women, drug users and sex offenders;
- demonstrate an awareness of the effect of imprisonment on prisoners and the coping strategies they may adopt.
Development of the prison
The use of imprisonment
Aims and function of imprisonment
Justice and legitimacy in prison
Prison privatisation
Women in prison
Ethnic minorities in prison
Early release and resettlement
Conceptualising and measuring the use of community punishment
The development of the Probation Service
The effectiveness of imprisonment and community sentences
Drug-using offenders in prison and in the community
The punishment and rehabilitation of sex offenders
Electronic monitoring of offenders
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-line Learning | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 5 | 1.5 | 7.5 |
| Private study hours | 176.5 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 23.5 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
The overall learning element is broken down into 15 minute tasks, there will be 20 x 15 minute tasks.
A formative assessment opportunity will be provided.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 3,000 word (3 questions of 1,000 words each from a choice of 4) | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team