Prison Service Journal

The Prison Service Journal is a peer reviewed journal published by HM Prison Service of England and Wales. Its purpose is to promote discussion on issues related to the work of the Prison Service, the wider criminal justice system and associated fields. It aims to present reliable information and a range of views about these issues.

It is hosted by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies following the re-structure of the Prison Service and the loss of the Prison Service website.

Any queries regarding the PSJ, back issues or editorial articles for forthcoming issues should be sent to jamie.bennett@hmps.gsi.gov.uk. The postal address for contact is:

Prison Service Journal
c/o Print Shop Manager
HMP Leyhill
Wotton-under-Edge
Gloucestershire
GL12 8HL

Prison Service Journal: 243

This is a special edition with the focus on the prison crisis

  • 'Is there a Prison Crisis? Thinking creatively and dialogically about prison’s old and new problems' by co-editors: Dr Anastasia Chamberlen, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Warwick; ... Read more

Prison Service Journal: 242

This edition features a special focus on recovery. 

  • 'Definitions of Recovery' by Dr David Best, Professor of Criminology at Sheffield Hallam University and Michael Wheatley, senior manager and recovery advisor working in HMPPS
  • 'The Role of Trauma-Informed Care in Building Resilience and Recovery' by... Read more

Prison Service Journal: 241

This issue has a focus on prisons, prisoners and their families.

  • 'The Golden Thread? Families, Prisons and Therapeutic Communities' by Lord Farmer of Bishopsgate, City of London is a businessman and Conservative peer
  • '... Read more

Prison Service Journal: 240

This issue includes the following articles:

  • 'Autonomy and exclusion among Danish prisoners in education' by  Anita Holm Riis, University of Aalborg, Denmark
  • 'Within these Walls: Reflections of women in and after prison. An insight into the... Read more

Prison Service Journal: 239

This issue is a special edition, focusing on: The Arts in Prison.

Articles include: 

  • 'Unlocking talent at HMP Leicester' by Kate Herrity, University of Leicester; Simon Bland, resettlement caseworker; Ralph Lubkowski, Governor at HMP Stafford; and... Read more

Prison Service Journal: 238

This issue includes the following articles:

  • 'Family Matters. A critical examination of family visits for imprisoned mothers and their families' by Dr Natalie Booth, De Montfort University.
  • 'A qualitative study of imprisoned fathers: Separation and the impact on... Read more

Prison Service Journal: 237

This special edition focuses on 50 years of the Parole System. Articles include:

  • 'Our Parole Hearing' by Anisha Gadhia and William Aslan 
  • 'Decisions, decisions, decisions: reflections on 50 years of parole' by Dr Roy D King
  • 'Parole – 50 Years and... Read more

Prison Service Journal: 236

The Prison Service Journal has a long-standing partnership with the Perrie Lectures and each year articles are published based upon a theme, this year it was, ‘Tackling Segregation: Can any good come of isolation?’ with the following articles:

Prison Service Journal: 235

This issue has a focus on rehabilitative cultures and includes the following articles:

  • 'What is a rehabilitative prison culture?' by Dr Ruth Mann, Flora Fitzalan Howard and Jenny Tew.
  • 'Diversity and vulnerability in Prisons in the context of the... Read more

Prison Service Journal: 234

This issue includes the following articles:

  • 'Suffering in Silence: The unmet needs of d/Deaf prisoners' by Dr Laura Kelly
  • 'The illicit economy in prisons: A new measure of biddability (BIDSCALE) to predict involvement in prison illicit economy and its... Read more

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