Events

Punitivity international developments

Publication date: 15-2-2011

Article:

What are the origins of punitive mentalities in late modern societies? How can one measure punitiveness? Which changes have recently been made in penal policy in Finland? What are the penal trends in Slovenia, the Netherlands and Australia? How does Italy deal with juvenile offenders? What are the effects of penal sanctions on ideological offenders like German skinheads? These are some of the questions that are dealt with in the three volume Punitivity International Developments, published by professor Helmut Kury (University of Freiburg).

The first volume, Punitivity: a global phenomenon?, came out last December. It contains sixteen articles, including a valuable introduction on the concept of punitivity written by professor Kury and his co-editor Evelyn Shea (researcher and prison visitor in Padova, Italy). This introduction and three other articles can be accessed at the website of the publisher. The second volume, Insecurity and punitiveness, and third volume, Punitiveness and punishment, will become available the coming months. Among the topics discussed will be: public opinion and penal reforms, victimization, the development of a law-and-order ideology in France in the last twenty years, the effects of punishment, measuring feelings of insecurity, the effectiveness of parole in the Czech Republic, criminal law and punitivity in modern Russia, punishment in South and Southern Africa, life sentences in Germany and rehabilitation as a cornerstone of lasting security.

UPDATE: The third volume has been published March 2011, the second volume is expected to be published April 2011. The is will complete the series.