Incarceration: Are Prisons a Suitable Punishment?

I really enjoyed the course. Particularly the amount of videos and interactive tasks (such as polls and places to post opinions) that there were to complete as it wasn't just reading articles, which made it very engaging.

It also provided many insightful facts and bits of information but at the same time it wasn't full of technical words that were hard to understand for someone who is inexperienced in the subject like myself.

Week two built on week one well and the assignment at the end was very interesting and rewarding. I also loved the comments section and the review at the end of the assignment as well as the example answers. It was good to give inspiration and to help you to start forming your own opinions.

I believe it took me longer than 4 hours per week and the longer research tasks especially took longer than the recommended time. That could be because of the amount of effort I personally wanted to put in or maybe because I am a slower reader. However it did not negatively impact me though since I have lots of time at the moment which is why I enrolled in the first place. But it is maybe something to consider if you are busier.

Overall I learned alot about this topic and it has spurred me on to want to do a law/criminology degree and even if you have no interest in studying it further i think it includes valuable information with regards to how our criminal justice system works and particularly the flaws- i have more empathy for prisoners now than i did at the start of the course.

Also it is free so why not give it a go, you have nothing to loose!

I speak on prison and gang culture in schools so was already aware of some of this framework before starting, but it truly opened my eyes and taught me a lot. A really interesting and varied course. I particularly like the use of visuals and interactive exercises, instead of just remote reading. I've been taking this during Covid-19, and it has highlighted to me the importance of making remote learning fun and varied - even if the subject matter is heavy (especially, actually!). I loved that there was assignments involving reviews of other students' work, to expand my own thinking and arguments, and the digital platform was so easy to use - and visually stimulating. I liked that you can choose to leave comments at the end of each section, for others to see, and for you to read other opinions of students: it gives the feel of a community element to the course, knowing others are contributing remotely from all over the world (and probably in Covid-19 lockdown). The School of Law at Leeds have put together, alongside/through the FutureLearn, a really great course. Can't recommend it enough.

I have just finished this course and felt the need to review it to not only express my gratitude but also recommend it to anyone on the fence. Having studied and really enjoyed the topic of incarceration and punishment in an A-Level Sociology module, I decided to take this course to expand my knowledge. It is purely an interest and not a career I plan on pursuing. That said, I found the course so informative and absolutely fascinating, with the perfect ratio of videos, text to read and assessments to complete, as well as the small assignment at the end. Whatever your preference of learning method, there's something for you and it's very accessible.
I think the course could benefit anyone with interest in the topic, regardless of prior knowledge (unless you are very well versed, in which case it may be too 'beginner' for you). I did the free course, so only had access to the first 2 weeks and not the test at the end which gets you the certificate. However, for a free course I was very impressed with the content, and really enjoyed completing it!

I have worked in prison for over 15 years and have a good understanding of what goes on behind the gates. I was recommended this course by a colleague and it did not disappoint. Richard's discussions with various people who have great knowledge and experience of the prison system was fascinating and enlightening. It gives you a lot to think about and there was some excellent reviews and feedback from other parties, who all have a view or an opinion on the subject as a whole.

I was really interested on what former offenders had to say about their experiences and can reflect on some of the comments I hear on a day to day basis from current offenders I teach. It was great to see the former offenders had gone on to change their lives for the better. It would be great if they could share their experiences in schools or colleges, "It might frighten a few people into staying clear of the law"

Very well structured and interesting course. We looked at theories behind why we punish; we explored the various range of punishment alternatives from Prison such as non custodial sanctions and their effects long term. We also looked at and reflected on the custodial orders and the need for rehabilitation. We were offered case studies which made me think and also exchange views with the other people registered on the course. Every so often, there was a quiz just to help us/me to confirm our understanding of the topics covered in the course.
This is an a great course which explores what is a suitable sanction, the implications of different punishments and what do we mean by trying to decide the best outcomes for the offender and the society.

I really like this course because it went into a lot of detail on options other than prison and why or why not we should consider them. As prisoners are becoming overcrowded there has to be another solution. Also, the prisoner might be going to a prison that’s far away from their home which is not a good idea for the prisoner or for their family. This course discusses the different options such as community service, fines, for serving your term at home with a limit on where you can go and what you can do within a certain timeframe. One of the things I really liked about this course was interviews with two former prisoners as to how prison life was and the difficulty of suddenly being released And how difficult it was for them to find their place in the outside community.