A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF PENAL PHILOSOPHIES AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WITHIN SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE IN SCOTLAND
A CRITICAL APPRAISAL OF PENAL PHILOSOPHIES AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WITHIN SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE IN SCOTLAND

Summary/Abstract: This research has set out to investigate the current over-population of prisons in Scotland. Using a narrative approach to literature, it has evaluated, summarized and drawn conclusions on sources identified. It has analyzed current penal policy in Scotland through the lens of the philosophies of punishment, exploring how the theories identified translate from policy to practice and from practice to the lived experiences of service-user. The research findings suggest that culture of risk aversion and the use of shortterm prison sentences have contributed significantly to the current prison populations. This research argue further that the risk approaches do not only infringe on the rights of the vulnerable but seem to be more expensive than the rehabilitation approaches in terms of the budgetary allocations for prisons and community services. It also opinioned that the Presumption Against Short Periods of Imprisonment (Scotland) Order 2019 and section 17 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 have the potential to increase the current prison population, therefore, consideration should be given to repealing it as it defeats the purpose of the Community Payback Order.

• Details
• Contents