Long-Term Imprisonment and Human Rights

Exploring European prison systems and human rights standards

Kirstin Drenkhahn editor Frieder Dünkel editor Manuela Dudeck editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:3rd Mar '16

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Long-Term Imprisonment and Human Rights cover

This comprehensive study examines the realities of long-term imprisonment across Europe, focusing on human rights and prison conditions. Long-Term Imprisonment and Human Rights is a valuable resource for various academic fields.

Prisons and imprisonment have become prevalent themes in popular culture, often depicted in various fictional and documentary forms. Many people have preconceived notions about prison life, ranging from the idea of a comfortable cell with modern amenities to the stark image of a dungeon-like environment with minimal sustenance. However, the reality of prison life is far more complex. This book delves into the true nature of imprisonment, exploring the rights of prisoners and the varying conditions across different European nations.

Long-Term Imprisonment and Human Rights addresses critical questions regarding the living conditions of long-term prisoners in Europe, assessing whether these conditions align with international human rights standards. It compiles advanced research from leading experts, providing comprehensive insights into the prison systems of Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Spain, and Sweden. This comparative study is the first of its kind, highlighting the nuances and variations in prison experiences across the continent.

The book contrasts the often Anglo-American focus of past research, offering a broader European perspective. It pays particular attention to the distinctions between post-Soviet nations and their continental counterparts. This work is essential for academics and students in criminology, criminal justice, and penology, as well as for legal students and practitioners interested in the complexities of human rights in the context of long-term imprisonment.

‘A comprehensive and authoritative account of what prison is like in eleven European countries, Long-Term Imprisonment makes an important and timely contribution to an emerging body of literature on prisons and human rights... An invaluable resource for academics, students, lawyers, policy makers and concerned citizens alike.’ - Sharon Shalev, Research Associate, Centre for Criminology, University of Oxford, UK

‘This is a groundbreaking book illustrating the value and importance of international comparative research. It deals with an extremely important, but largely understudied topic: the living conditions of long-term prisoners in European nations. By presenting results of over 1,000 interviews with prisoners from 36 penal institutions in 11 European countries, it offers a unique comparative empirical study on this issue. The findings will encourage further discussion about prisoners’ rights and the conditions of confinement in European prisons.’ - Anja Dirkzwager, Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

This book is a rare, large-scale, cross-nationally comparative study on long-term imprisonment in a variety of European countries. It provides unique insight into the conditions of confinement of long-term prisoners and illustrates "good" and "bad" prison practices. The book is a must-have for criminologists, policymakers, academics and anyone interested in prisoners' rights and prison conditions from a European perspective.’ - Paul Nieuwbeerta, Department of Criminology, Leiden University, The Netherlands

ISBN: 9781138666122

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 612g

420 pages