Being assessed, being processed: life-sentenced prisoners' experiences of parole decision-making
Being assessed, being processed: life-sentenced prisoners' experiences of parole decision-making
This paper draws on qualitative data from interviews with men serving life sentences for murder to explore their experiences of parole decision-making processes. Whilst research on parole decisions has historically focused on the oral hearing as a discrete event, this paper offers a preliminary investigation into how prisoners perceive and navigate the broader administrative processes that shape parole outcomes. Drawing on an understanding of parole as a 'social process' (Tata, 2020) rather than a singular decision point, the paper will consider how prisoners interpret and respond to the compilation of their parole dossiers, their perceptions of risk assessment procedures, and the ways in which their lived experiences are translated by the parole dossier to become evidence of manageable or unmanageable risk, for consideration by the Parole Board. Through this consideration, the paper will reflect on questions regarding power, legitimacy and agency at the intersection of punishment and risk management.
parole, decision-making, life sentences, risk assessment, back-door sentencing, time, performativity
Jarman, Ben
17792bef-9b37-408e-b734-acb707842715
3 July 2025
Jarman, Ben
17792bef-9b37-408e-b734-acb707842715
Jarman, Ben
(2025)
Being assessed, being processed: life-sentenced prisoners' experiences of parole decision-making.
British Society of Criminology Conference 2025: Criminology for Social Justice, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
02 - 04 Jul 2025.
Record type:
Conference or Workshop Item
(Other)
Abstract
This paper draws on qualitative data from interviews with men serving life sentences for murder to explore their experiences of parole decision-making processes. Whilst research on parole decisions has historically focused on the oral hearing as a discrete event, this paper offers a preliminary investigation into how prisoners perceive and navigate the broader administrative processes that shape parole outcomes. Drawing on an understanding of parole as a 'social process' (Tata, 2020) rather than a singular decision point, the paper will consider how prisoners interpret and respond to the compilation of their parole dossiers, their perceptions of risk assessment procedures, and the ways in which their lived experiences are translated by the parole dossier to become evidence of manageable or unmanageable risk, for consideration by the Parole Board. Through this consideration, the paper will reflect on questions regarding power, legitimacy and agency at the intersection of punishment and risk management.
More information
Published date: 3 July 2025
Venue - Dates:
British Society of Criminology Conference 2025: Criminology for Social Justice, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom, 2025-07-02 - 2025-07-04
Keywords:
parole, decision-making, life sentences, risk assessment, back-door sentencing, time, performativity
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 504230
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/504230
PURE UUID: b57d5bb5-6cbb-4a59-96b5-69b99bbae84a
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Date deposited: 01 Sep 2025 16:44
Last modified: 02 Sep 2025 02:18
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Contributors
Author:
Ben Jarman
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