Making prisons safer 

I research punishment, and particularly imprisonment. My interests are the penal voluntary sector, responses to prison suicide and the regulation of prisons. Crime rates are not rising, and yet criminal justice detention is expanding, which poses a major moral, social, economic and public health threat.  

In addition to being morally problematic, unsafe prisons affects the whole of society. Bringing visibility to prison suicide and the work of the penal voluntary sector is therefore a small contribution to tackling one of our greatest societal challenges.   

I direct the multidisciplinary Prisons, Health and Societies Research Group and has been undertaking research and impact work with the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman since 2019. I hold a £1.1m UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship and £1.3m European Research Council Starting Grant, allowing me to further develop innovative research and evidence-based debate around detention, prisons and regulation. 

Why Nottingham?

My fellowship provided me with the opportunity to develop my research team and solidify my outputs. Having three years and a £75,000 budget to support my research was an unparalleled opportunity. 

Feeling inspired?