Episode 1 – Incarceration with Prof Phil Scraton

Podcast Notes On today’s episode, Professor Phil Scraton discusses the implications of mandatory life sentencing and the failures of the modern penal system. Professor Scraton’s research profile can be found here. His new book, ‘Women’s Imprisonment and the Case for Abolition: Critical Reflections on Corston Ten Years On’ co-edited with Linda Moore and Azrini Wahidin, is out now. For more information about the recent inspection reports on HMP Liverpool and HMP Nottingham, as well as the results of a 2015 report on Maghaberry Prison, please visit the following links: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42310501 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hmp-nottingham-prison-inmates-lives-risk-urgent-notification-inspector-suicide-a8166336.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34733832 A findings paper from the HM Inspectorate of Prisons details the poor conditions found across the UK in general. Further statistics and information on life imprisonment can be found at https://www.penalreform.org/priorities/life-imprisonment/.