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Co-production, as a form of participatory governance manifesting (to different degrees) in democratic innovations is, essentially, a term for a particular type of relationship between services, service users and others, from which an inherently different way of 'doing' services emerges.1 While it denotes a range of collaborative practices, in general, co-production has been defined as 'professionals and citizens making better use of each other's assets, resources and contributions to achieve better outcomes and/or improved efficiency'.2 However, rather than focusing principally on their outcomes, the value of, and rationale for, co-productive approaches may be more normative than instrumental, and reside rather in their processes (on which the outcomes depend) to the extent that they represent a form of, and generate opportunities for, epistemic participation, by enabling differently situated but interdependent actors to forge new norms of interaction, new forms of knowing, and new ways of being and doing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years there has been mounting interest in the role of user engagement and co-production within public services, encouraging more voices to be heard and in doing so to improve service delivery. Whilst not yet as well-established within the Criminal Justice System (CJS) as in other fields such as healthcare, the CJS has placed greater emphasis on engaging, involving, and empowering individuals and communities to shape and influence the services they receive.2 This has been motivated by an interest in creating the right conditions for calm, constructive environments, characterised by trusting and respectful relationships that enable and reinforce positive change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origins of the modern system of parole in England and Wales (as discussed in Guiney's article elsewhere in this issue) lie in the use of prison licensing established in the middle of the nineteenth century. This article will examine the use and development of prison licensing or early release mechanisms from the mid- to latenineteenth century. The article draws on material produced during an ESRC-funded study that examined the use of prison licensing and the development of this system in policy, bureaucratic and financial terms.1 Further, it draws on a sample of 650 male and female convicts who were released on licence in order to understand the impact of the licence system at the individual level. This study used a whole-life methodology to reconstruct offenders' lives, not only through their interactions with agencies of criminal justice and during their imprisonment, but also using data on births, marriages and deaths, census information and newspaper reports to provide as full a picture as possible of these individuals from cradle to grave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, I will argue that a whole-prison approach to rehabilitation, through creating a culture that supports and challenges people to change, not only reduces the need to use segregation as way of behaviour management, but is actively incompatible with the use of segregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A note of explanation first for those who are unfamiliar with the IMB. Members of the Independent Monitoring Board are unpaid volunteers appointed by the Secretary of State for Justice to a specific prison or immigration detention centre. Their role is to satisfy themselves as to the humane and just treatment of those held in custody, as well as to be satisfied about the range and adequacy of the programmes preparing prisoners for release. We can go where we want within an establishment and we have right of access to all documents other than medical ones. Our role is to monitor procedures and prisoner outcomes. We are not charged with solving problems but rather monitoring that someone else is. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On average, one in every three children in penal custody under the age of 18 is likely to spend time in isolation. Isolation might involve a child being locked in their cell for short or prolonged periods when children would ordinarily be allowed out of their cells. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) has an expectation that children should be allowed out of their cells for ten hours each day. Isolation could be for behavioural reasons or as a result of staff shortages. However, isolation will also include time spent in a segregation unit pending adjudication or for reasons of 'good order and discipline'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'I've seen a lot of men broken by segregation since I've been here. That's not right; that's why it is so important that we do this. We have a responsibility to make this better. It's early days - changing the culture of a segregation unit, particularly in a dispersal, is a big thing to do. But we've seen already that the HOPE(s) approach has started to change the mind-set of staff working in segregation. People are asking questions now which they didn't used to ask. They are starting to question whether it is right to keep someone in segregation, whether it really should be all about punishment and to start to look for ways to get them out rather than just accept some prisoners staying in there for a very long time. That's a significant achievemen''. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To get a quick insight into a prison, visit its segregation unit. More often than not, the segregation unit will reflect the true state of the prison: the state of prisoner-staff relationships, the state of safety and security and the extent of drug use. You will also learn about and bullying in the prison - as both the bullies and the bullied often end up in the unit, and about the levels and forms of violence prevalent in the prison and its perpetrators. You will also get some idea about the relationships between line staff and managers and the leadership style in the prison: how and in what way are managers involved in the unit? Do Governors take a special interest in it? Do they know the prisoners there? Are units constantly full, do they house any long term prisoners, or are there effective safeguards and viable attempts to keep units small and empty? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to being deprived of one's liberty by being sentenced to prison, a proportion of the people in the care of Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) may experience a deeper form of custody and exclusion by being placed in segregation units for a period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peter Clarke was appointed HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in January 2016. He joined the Metropolitan Police in 1977 after graduating in Law from Bristol University. He served in a variety of uniformed and detective roles in London, including commanding the Brixton Division, and Staff Officer to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. After serving as Deputy Director of HR for the 45,000 employees of the Metropolitan Police, in May 2002 he was appointed as Head of the Anti-Terrorist Branch at New Scotland Yard and National Coordinator of Terrorist Investigations, leading the investigation into all acts of terrorism in the UK and against British interests overseas. He retired from the police service from the position of Assistant Commissioner, Specialist Operations in 2008. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People of African or West Indian descent have been a small but continuing element in the population of the British Isles for centuries.1 Black men, women and children who lived in Britain and who appeared in criminal courts have been studied in the early history of modern Australia for their identities were noted in the registers of transport ships and convict settlements.2 Yet Victorian officialdom seldom noted the ethnicity of people convicted in Britain. Newspaper reports might mention colour whilst the trial records ignore it, so identifications have been made when appearances in court -- as victim, witness or accused -- led to such descriptions.3 Prison files are silent too. Caroline Bressey in her 'Victorian Photography and the Mapping of the Black Presence in Britain'4 reproduced photographs of black men in two albums of pictures taken at London's Pentonville Prison in March -- April 1881. She observes written records ignore the appearance, colour and ethnicity of these men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article offers an insider view of the Ecuadorian prison system which I experienced first-hand after having been sentenced to twelve years for drug trafficking following my arrest on the 16th August 2005 in a hotel in the capital Quito in possession of nearly 8 kilos of cocaine. I spent just over 9 years in three different prisons in Ecuador starting with Garcia Moreno prison in Quito followed by six years in the Penitentiary Litoral in Guayaquil, the largest port city on the coast, and the last year in the newly constructed Nuevo Centro de Rehabilitación Social Regional Guayas (informally known as the Regional), also in Guayaquil, the first of the new style prisons introduced under Rafael Correa’s organic codigo penal neo-socialist regime. I was transferred to the UK at the end of 2014 and spent nearly a year in HMP Wandsworth, London prior to my release in August 2015. This is an account of my experiences in that time and the changing face of the Ecuadorian penal system. There is much that could be said, but here I focus especially on prisoners’ self-rule and its impact on security, safety and order in the prison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the provision of the Psychologically Informed Planned Environments (PIPEs), a service model designed to provide additional training to prison staff working with and providing a pathway of services for offenders with personality disorder. The model adopts a bio-psychosocial understanding of personality disorder. The application of this model in a number of different settings across the criminal justice system is also discussed.

The article reports on a series of alternative penal measures to correct and control criminal offenders, focusing on the minimal-security open prison system in Norway. Topics include how the Norwegian open prison system gives inmates incentives to be corrected, use of alternative incarceration, and an increase in prison population witnessed by the U.S. It also mentions how open prisons are less expensive to operate in comparison to higher-security facilities.

A regular feature of HMP Grendon's regime over the past fifteen years has been the annual debate between 3rd Year Birmingham City University (BCU) Criminology Students and Grendon residents. This follows a tour of the establishment and an opportunity for students to meet with prisoners over lunch. The event is eagerly anticipated by both students and residents, with the outcome of the debate usually being a comprehensive victory for Grendon residents (the score is 14-2). But apart from being an interesting activity for all concerned, are there any other benefits to be derived from this experience? This article will summarise evaluation projects undertaken by academics from Birmingham City University and by a Custodial Manager at HMP Grendon. Outcomes include students positively evaluating the experience of meeting with offenders who have committed serious offences, gaining a greater appreciation of the work of prison officers and an increased awareness of prison life; Grendon residents appreciating being able to share their experiences with those who had no knowledge of custodial life while prison staff saw the visit by students as a good opportunity to promote the work undertaken at HMP Grendon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In April 2013, the Justice Secretary announced plans to make significant reforms to the Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) Scheme in adult male prisons throughout England and Wales.2 This represents just one step in achieving the coalition government's proposals to toughen prison regimes and enforce harsher penalties for prisoners who fail to meet expectations.3 Despite the proposed reforms to the Scheme, it appears that extra visits and access to Family Days will continue to be offered as a reward to male prisoners who behave responsibly and engage with sentence plan objectives. This is in contrast to the female estate where visiting arrangements were detached from the IEP Scheme five years ago -- this was based on recognition that incentivising contact was incompatible with meeting the needs of imprisoned mothers and their children. This paper presents findings from in-depth interviews with families affected by parental imprisonment in England and Wales. It emerged that early, frequent and good quality visits are equally important in meeting the emotional needs of children with either a mother or father in prison. It is argued that including visiting arrangements as a key earnable privilege is incongruous with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) since restricting the frequency of visits and access to Family Days is clearly not in the best interests of most children. It is recommended that to effectively meet the rights and needs of children, arrangements for contact should also be detached from the IEP Scheme in the male estate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Does 'Contraction in an Age of Expansion' refer to the contraction of the public sector share of the prison system and the concomitant expansion of the role of providers of what is inelegantly referred to as 'outsourced' services? Or does it refer to the contraction of resources as part of the Government's deficit reduction strategy while ambitions for what prisons are required to do are expanding? The title begs a question about how those who run prisons manage competing demands but in a way which remains ethically sound? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that investigates the frustrations of prisoners on the Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) in Great Britain. It offers information on the impact of IPP on the country's Criminal Justice System, especially those associated in the management and handling of prisoners. It explores on the accounts of prisoners, their frustrations on the sentences they received, how they lived with their sentence, and how they seek release. Moreover, it mentions the impact of IPP on the wellbeing of prisoners.

The article discusses the aspects of alternative representations of prison and imprisonment. It talks about one particular aspect of the representation of criminal justice, which is the depictions of prisons and imprisonment in popular culture. It notes that the representations of the prison in popular culture appear to be fragmented and often contradictory. It also explores the possible relationships between the depictions and wider attitudes to prisons and imprisonment amongst those sections of public who hold punitive views.

The article discusses the result of a study regarding the values and practices in public and private sector prisons in Great Britain. It notes that the study was made in order to determine the difference on how the two sectors operate and how the different models may lead to different outcomes. It adds that the use of power, better care and less indifference treatment were observed in experienced staff in the best private sector prisons. It also discusses how the lack of power usage in the private sector prisons can affect the pursuance for cultural distinctiveness.

The article provides a study on the health and needs of elderly prisoners in Wales and England. It mentions the increasing rate of prisoners over 60 years of age in the prison system of both countries which has grown by 250 percent in the past ten years. It notes that most older prisoners are exposed to chronic physical illnesses, depression and victimisation from other prisoners. It points out the lack of national strategy for their management and care by Her Majesty (HM) Prison Service. An overview of the HM Inspectorate of Prisons' (HMIP) report on their condition is also presented.

An interview with Rachel Halford, director of Women in Prison, is presented. When asked to comment about the high national imprisonment rate, Halford refers to the other ways women can be reprimanded. She mentions that the biggest problem in the prison system is that some women are there even they do not need to be there. She also emphasizes that the initial cost and the public perception are the major obstacles to prison reform.

An interview with Rod Morgan, part-time professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Bristol, is presented. When asked to comment about the high national imprisonment rate, Morgan refers to unproductive and unsustainable. He mentions that the increasing number of population is the biggest problem in the prison system. He also emphasizes that the lack of leadership and dishonesty are the major obstacles to prison reform.

An interview with former prisoner John Bowers is presented. When asked to comment about the high national imprisonment rate, Bowers refers the rate as a reflection of the British retribution mentality. He mentions that the treatment of prison officers toward prisoners is the biggest problem in the prison system. He also emphasizes that the public perception, the media and the politicians' stereotypical stance are the major obstacles to prison reform.

An interview with National Offender Management Service chief executive Michael Spurr is presented. When asked to comment about the high national imprisonment rate, Spurr refers to the need to accommodate all the prisoners. He discusses ways on how charitable sector and citizens can contribute in dealing with the offenders. He also shares how the prison system has changed over time.

An interview with Centre for Crime and Justice Studies director Richard Garside is presented. When asked to comment about the high national imprisonment rate, Garside refers to a national embarrassment. He mentions that the financial aspect is the biggest problem in the prison system. He also discusses his perspective as an abolitionist regarding prison reforms.

An interview with Her Majesty's chief inspector or prisons Nick Hardwick is presented. When asked to comment about the high national imprisonment rate, Hardwick refers to a problem that is out of control. He mentions that the use of prisons as warehouses for people with multiple problems, of which criminality is a symptom rather than a cause, is the biggest problem in the prison system. He also emphasizes that the inability to innovate is the major obstacle to prison reform.

An interview with Prison Reform Trust director Juliet Lyon is presented. When asked to comment about the high national imprisonment rate, Lyon refers to the shame. She mentions that the lack of political well is the major obstacle to prison reform. She also emphasizes that the explosion in indeterminate sentencing is the biggest problem in the prison system.

In this paper, I write about the first results of my most recent research, conducted in a prison of Guarulhos city, in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil. Six years after I conduced my first research on prisons, I have once again conducted research inside prison facilities. I returned to a penal institution in order to, on the one hand, observe the changes undergone by the collective of prisoners that I previously studied and, secondly, to address the specifics of their local composition, especially in relation to the management of the prison unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with Phil Wheatley, retired Director General of the National Offender Management Service in London, England is presented. He states that he believes that everyone should work to reduce the risk of reoffending and work to ensure that the right people will get discretionary release. When asked what are his management and leadership styles, he states that he works with stable management teams and get good people around him. He also mentions that his job is a gaoler and not a sentencer.

The article discusses the public debate on the relative costs and benefits of the prison system in Great Britain. It states that the money spent on the criminal justice have an effect on the resources such as health and education. It cites that it is important to consign the development of the particular aspect of the future criminal justice policy to organizations such as sentencing commissions that covers wide representation and expertise. It also mentions that the political dimension of the prisoner's dilemma may be easier to escape than its counterpart in the economy.

In comparison to the lives of offenders more generally, the way in which white-collar offenders experience and respond to punishment at the hands of the criminal justice system is not well understood. The term white-collar offender as it is used here emphasises the characteristics of the offender rather than their offence, placing a focus on respectability and privilege as key in identifying who they are. That the lives of such offenders and the, impact of criminal justice processes and punishment are rarely explored is at least in part due to the difficulty of recruiting white-collar offenders to take part in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with Shannon Trust volunteer Caroline Edwards is presented. When asked to share her perspective regarding the consequences when prisons are full, Edwards refers to changes in the prison system. She mentions that prison is not a solution to social problem, rather a mirror of the society. She also believes that prison can be a factor in making it easier or harder for prisoners to change their lives.

One of the best known men in penal history, Alexander Paterson, died in 1947 only months after his retirement. His obituary in the Times (10 November 1947) was headed `faith in human nature' and it is very much in that vein that Paterson has been immortalised both within and outside of the prison service. To a large extent this has also been the case in popular and academic histories that have considered Paterson and his role in shaping penal reform during the early decades of the twentieth century. He is believed to have been the dominant influence in the Prison Commission during his time as a Commissioner between 1922 and 1946, which has been labelled the "Paterson era." Harold Scott, Chairman of the Prison Commission between 1932 and 1938 called Paterson `one of the most remarkable men I have ever met' who was behind the transformation of imprisonment not only in England but throughout the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with Prison Governors Association president Eoin McLennan-Murray is presented. When asked to comment about the high national imprisonment rate, McLennan-Murray links the rate to the use of custody. He mentions that the rise in managerialism is the biggest problem in the prison system. He also emphasizes that the lack of political will is the major obstacle to prison reform.

An interview with Crispin Blunt, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Prisons and Youth Justice, is presented. When asked to comment about the high national imprisonment rate, Blunt refers to the failure to address the crime as a society. He emphasizes that the growing capacity is the major obstacle to prison reform. He also discusses ways on how to reduce reoffending, which include the role of state despite the lack of resources.

At a time when public and political discourse seems to be dominated by inexorable simplification and the imposition of compassionless homogeneity, small voices are needed. Small voices can provide a check on unreflective generalisations -- about individuals, groups or behaviours -- that seldom seek causes, justifications or deeper understanding. Small voices highlight diversity of circumstances and experience, impact and consequences. They are complex and difficult, but raise the bar on what might be required to address social problems and injustices. The adjective of small reflects not only the difficulties of these voices emerging, getting out beyond their own immediate space or confinement, but the multiple obstacles which prevent them being listened to and acted upon. Historically, individuals or groups who had such small voices may not have been able to leave records or their records were not considered significant enough to be preserved. For those historians committed to social history, revealing a history from below, the recurrent problem is the dearth of materials produced and preserved by those most marginalised and, thus, the perennial reliance upon sources which may relate to those with small voices but which actually derive from, and are shaped by, those with greater influence and volume. This problem may take a different shape in the early twenty-first century but has a similar outcome. Even though new technologies and forums make it possible for small voices to be more easily relayed, they often remain mediated, overwhelmed or silenced by noisier, dominant speech. In such circumstances, small voices require others with influence, networks and volume to enable them to emerge, be heard and listened to. With this in mind, the contributors to this edition endeavour to capture and reveal small, often unheard, voices within the prison system, past and present. Their aim is to utilise these voices to highlight broader struggles and injustices that can all too easily go unnoticed and, in doing so, emphasise the extent to which structural factors determine that some groups will differentially experience the criminal justice system and incarceration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]