The Imprisonment Observatory (ImO)
The Imprisonment Observatory (ImO)
The Imprisonment Observatory speaks to the recognition of work that interrogates uses and practices of imprisonment on a global scale, in its many contemporary and historical forms. The Imprisonment Observatory brings together international researchers, postgraduate students and organisational partners to share knowledge on imprisonment-related practices.
Our people
Get to know our founders and academic researchers.
Our partners
See our NGO and Government partners.
Our postgraduate students
Meet our next generation of world leading scholars.
Our six imprisonment-based research areas:
Pathways
Empirical research on pre-imprisonment, alternative correctional pathways and prevention including diversion, suspended sentences and restorative justice.
Imprisonment
Research on current imprisonment and confinement practices including remand, detention, prisons and pre-release preparation.
Release and re-entry
Research on post-imprisonment processes including parole, probation, community supervision, reintegration, recidivism and desistance.
Theories of imprisonment
High quality theoretical studies of imprisonment, advancing our understanding of issues related to imprisonment across the globe.
Research comparing historical and contemporary practices, or cross-jurisdictional analysis, within and between nations.
Current issues in imprisonment research
Current topical issues related to imprisonment-related practices.
Publications
The Imprisonment Observatory offers a repository of prison related academic publications. Browse through the work of our researchers.
Internships
If you are currently studying or undertaking postgraduate research and have an interest in imprisonment-related practices, find out more about the internship application process.
Contact us
If you are an organisation or researcher with interest in imprisonment-related practices and would like to join our network, please email your CV and a short introduction to
imprisonment.observatory@gmail.com