Diploma in Penology & Prison Studies

Gain a detailed understanding of how a modern prison system operates and survives from a theoretical & practical perspective.

Delivered by leading academics and prison experts, the purpose of the Diploma in Penology & Prison studies is to equip learners (from a variety of professional or interested backgrounds) with an understanding of the origins of punishment and sentencing in Ireland. Students will consider, sentencing, criminology and “What Works” when it comes to best prison practice. All lectures will be related to various theories of crime and offending. At the end of the course, learners will have a detailed understanding of how a modern prison system operates and indeed survives from both a theoretical and practical perspective.

During this course the student will learn how to identify certain types of criminals and their likely behaviours within the prison environment. In particular they will look at how both prisoner and prison officer exist both together and separately in a modern prison environment. They will also learn about the context in which the prison system currently sits in Ireland including sentencing policies and the likely direction of the Irish Prison Service into the future.

Course Content

Week 1 – Prisons and Imprisonment in Ireland

Week 2 – The Legal Context: The Criminal Justice System in Ireland

Week 3 – Punishment: historical and modern perspectives

Week 4 – Nature or nurture? The perennial debate

Week 5 – Bad men in good jails – the psychopaths amongst you

Week 6 – Sex Offenders: a special category?

Week 7 – Life on the Inside – The Inmate Code

Week 8 – Justice for the Forgotten – The Modern Prison Officer

Week 9 – Sentencing and Sentencing Policy

Week 10– Non-custodial options – the future?

Assessment

A pass grade on the written assignment will be required for awarding of the Diploma in Penology & Prison Studies. A fail grade will result in a Certificate of Attendance for the course but without the Diploma being awarded. Students must attend at least 8 of the 10 evenings to graduate with either the Diploma or Certificate of Attendance unless a serious and verifiable reason for further absence is provided. Similarly, the assignment must be submitted on the due date unless a sound reason for lateness is provided. In such instances, an extension may be awarded at the discretion of the lecturer.