About the project
The Scandinavian penal model has been well explored in comparative criminology and welfare research. From a global perspective, punishment is considered something the Scandinavians are "good" or even "exceptional" at. While the practices and values that lay the foundation of Scandinavian criminal justice have been thoroughly explored in criminological research, the export of this allegedly exceptional penal system has rarely been the subject of study.
This project aims to expand our current knowledge of how Scandinavian penal ideas travel beyond the nation-state, by studying the export of Scandinavian prison practices to countries with completely different tolerances, societal conditions and political contexts. By delving into the everyday practices of Scandinavian efforts for prison reform in foreign states, the project aims to investigate the formation of Scandinavian penal aid through the sites and contexts they emerge and unfold.
Method
The project is qualitative and draws on multi-sited ethnography. This includes participant observation in a selection of donor and beneficiary countries, interviews and document analysis.
Objectives
The project aims to contribute to an increased understanding of how the implementation of Scandinavian prison projects unfolds in practice, as well as to examine why and in what manner this has become part of Scandinavian aid and foreign policy.
Financing
The PhD project is part of the research project JustExports, which explores how the Scandinavian countries have engaged in penal exports and rule of law promotion over the past 30 years.
JustExports is financed by the Norwegian Research Council’s FRIHUMSAM Research Scheme on Young Research Talents. Project number: 314208.
