The penitentiary system in Spain: The use of imprisonment, living conditions and rehabilitation

Abstract: This article examines the effects of custodial versus non-custodial sentences on recidivism. An eight-year follow-up study was conducted to track and compare rates of recidivism between former pris...

Abstract: A follow-up study of 19,955 releases from Irish prisons shows interesting variation in rates of recidivism. Prisoners who, during their sentences, were occasionally allowed to venture outside for vocational or family-related purposes were significantly less likely to be reimprisoned. This held true up to 4 years after their eventual release and is a clear empirical demonstration of the benefits, other than humanitarian, of maintaining prisoners' social capital.

Abstract: This article offers a systematic review of the ‘what works’ literature on temporary release, particularly as concerns home leave and work release programs. Against the ‘nothing works’ proposition, the findings suggest that both home leave and work release schemes can be effective in reducing recidivism rates, while work release may also enhance post-release employment prospects. The final section discusses the directions future evaluative research should take, with special reference to the need for drawing the link between the procedural and outcome dimensions of temporary release.

Abstract: This study analyzed whether it was possible to successfully transfer an experience of dialogic literary gatherings (DLGs) developed in a prison in the Basque Country (Spain), which was found to enhance the participants’ readiness to return to their communities. A case study was conducted in a different prison in Catalonia that comprised interviews and focus groups with a group of female prisoners and volunteers involved in the DLG. The communicative analysis conducted showed that the replication of the DLG allowed the participants to discuss and reflect on their biographies and their expected pathways upon release, thus opening possibilities for personal and social change. The results show that participants perceived the DLG as a helpful resource for social reintegration and suggest that DLGs can be transferred to different correctional institutions.

Abstract: This article offers a systematic review of the ‘what works’ literature on temporary release, particularly as concerns home leave and work release programs. Against the ‘nothing works’ proposition, the findings suggest that both home leave and work release schemes can be effective in reducing recidivism rates, while work release may also enhance post-release employment prospects. The final section discusses the directions future evaluative research should take, with special reference to the need for drawing the link between the procedural and outcome dimensions of temporary release.

Abstract: This book describes the purposes and other aspects of imprisonment in various societies, addressing broad questions of penal policy Twenty-three national overviews generally discuss quantitative developments, types of prisons, organisational structures, the legal framework and specific problems such as complaints procedures, judicial control of prison administration, medical treatment of prisoners, prison labour, visits and outside contacts, security measures, control of the early release of sentenced prisoners, etc The country reports included are: Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, England and Wales, Federal Republic of Germany, France, German Democratic Republic, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, The People's Republic of China, Poland, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States and the United Nations

Abstract: La tesis es un estudio de la regulacion legal de lalibertad condicional en el Derecho espanol. Consta de una introduccion, cuatro grandes partes, que se dividen, a su vez, en diecisiete capitulos, unas conclusiones, los anexos y la bibliografia. En la primera parte se hace una exposicion de los antecedentes historicos mas remotos y de los antecedentes legales de la institucion. La segunda parte se refiere a la esencia de la libertad condicional, en donde se incluyen los capitulos referidos a la definicion, las caracteristicas legales, el fundamento y la naturaleza juridica. La tercera parte trata de la regulacion legal de la institucion, y se analizan los requisitos, el procedimiento de concesion, los supuestos excepcionales, la libertad condicional de los extranjeros, el beneficio penitenciario del adelantamiento de la libertad condicional, la revocacion, los recursos y el seguimiento del liberado. Y en la ultima parte, se realiza una critica a la aplicacion practica de la libertad condicional y, por extension, a todo el sistema de ejecucion de las penas privativas de libertad. En las conclusiones se destacan las aportaciones mas novedosas: a) la libertad condicional es unbeneficio penitenciario, b) su aprobacion responde al sistema mixto, c) el origen de los supuestos excepcionales no esta en motivos humanitarios y, ademas, es un error de tecnica legislativa regular estos supuestos a traves de la libertad condicional, y d) se hace una critica a la aplicacion practica de la institucion.