The Voluntary Sector in Prisons

"Acting on one's own volition is the essence of being human, so it is striking to read about the remarkable volunteerism of prisoners and other citizens taking place in that most involuntary of institutions, the prison. Read together, the insightful contributions to this first-of-its-kind volume represent a real testament to some of the best of humanity working in some of our least humane institutions." (Shadd Maruna, Professor of Education and Dean of Rutgers School of Criminal Justice, USA) "Criminologists and sociologists who study punishment and rehabilitation have always tended to assume the centrality of the state and its penal institutions in their analysis. Despite Durkheim's enduring influence, the role of civil society in both punishment and reintegration has often been neglected. This excellent collection of essays begins to remedy this neglect by examining the role of volunteers, volunteering and non-profit organizations in these processes. Spanning multiple perspectives and reflecting on both research and lived experience, this book provides a rich resource both for deepening academic analyses and for practical projects of penal reform." (Fergus McNeill, Professor of Criminology and Social Work, University of Glasgow, UK)

This volume examines how volunteers and non-profit programs encourage institutional change in prisons and offer individual support and services to people who are housed behind bars. Collectively, the chapters highlight beneficial practices while raising critical questions about the role of the voluntary sector in prison and reentry settings.This volume examines how volunteers and non-profit programs encourage institutional change in prisons and offer individual support and services to people who are housed behind bars. Through a diverse set of chapters, including two that are co-written by current prisoners, the volume spans the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, and juvenile and adult facilities. The book showcases the exciting, groundbreaking, and yet often unrecognized work that the voluntary sector provides in correctional settings. Collectively, the chapters highlight beneficial practices while raising critical questions about the role of the voluntary sector in prison and reentry settings. The chapters also offer useful information about how to implement innovative prison programs that promote health, education, and peer support.