Prison Working Group: Justice, rights, othering and ethics in detention settings

Session Submission Type: Pre-arranged Panel

Abstract

This panel organized by the Prison Working Group unites diverse perspectives on the complexities of justice, rights, and ethics in detention settings. It features a comparative analysis of prisoners' access to justice in Denmark, Finland, and Norway, shedding light on the similarities and differences within Nordic legal systems, particularly emphasizing parole and prison leave regulations. Subsequently, it discusses the pervasive issues of homophobia and transphobia within Belgian prisons, employing a mixed-methods approach to highlight the systemic discrimination against LGBTQ+ persons. Another study from Belgium addresses the disenfranchisement of imprisoned persons, revealing their nuanced perspectives on voting and political participation, and pointing out the challenges in exercising voting rights in detention. The panel also delves into the decisions and dilemmas faced by prison governors regarding reward systems for good behavior in the Netherlands, focusing on its theoretical assumptions, applications, and outcomes. The final presentation underscores the importance of detained persons' understanding of informed consent for ethical research practices, introducing the protocol of a randomized controlled trial designed to enhance comprehension. Together, these presentations offer a comprehensive overview of the challenges and innovations in the treatment and rights of individuals within the justice system, providing valuable insights into the discourse on correctional justice, rights, and ethics.

Subtopic

• Topic 5: Social Control and Criminal Justice / Imprisonment, Prisons, Prison Life and Effects of Imprisonment (Prisons WG)

Chair

• Stéphanie Baggio, University of Bern

Individual Presentations

• Danish, Finnish, and Norwegian perspectives on Prisoners’ Access to Justice - Anette Storgaard, University of Aarhus, Denmark; Berit Johnsen, Kriminalomsorgens høgskole og utdanningssenter KRUS; Mia Kilpeläinen, University of Eastern Finland; Birgitte Langset Storvik, University College of Norwegian Correctional Service

• Locked In, Locked Out: An Inquiry into the Subtle and Overt Forms of Homophobia and Transphobia in Belgian Prisons. - Aurore Vanliefde, KU Leuven

• The ‘Other’ voter: Imprisoned Persons’ Perspectives on Voting and Politics in Belgium - Laure Deschuyteneer, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (Crime & Society); An-Sofie Vanhouche, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

• Improving informed consent in prison research - Stéphanie Baggio, University of Bern