Philosophy Behind Bars: Growth and Development in Prison

by Kirstine Szifris

Male prisons can be dangerous places with a climate of distrust, but can long-term prisoners be given the space to reflect and grow ? This ground-breaking study found that engaging prisoners in philosophy education enabled them to think about some of the ‘big’ questions in life and as a result to see themselves and others differently.

264 pages, Paperback

Published July 16, 2021

Reviews

[Thomasso · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting book about what philosophy can achieve within the context of prisons. Major strong point: why all these vocational trainings in prison, and not some self-reflection on the basis of small accessible philosophical texts? Other than psycho-therapy, philosophy focusses on the person of the prisoner in his societal context. Weak point: book does not focus on which curriculum might actually work but focusses, in a somewhat repetitive way, on the methods underlying/ justifying the bringing of philosophy to the prison-experience.