Legal Definitions - penology

Penology is the study of how to punish and rehabilitate criminals, prevent crime, and manage penal institutions. It involves finding the right treatment for each offender. It is different from criminology, which is the study of crime and its causes.

• A penologist might study the effectiveness of different types of prisons, such as maximum security or minimum security.
• They might also research the best ways to help prisoners reintegrate into society after they are released.
• Penology can also involve studying alternative forms of punishment, such as community service or electronic monitoring.

These examples illustrate how penology is concerned with finding the most effective ways to punish and rehabilitate criminals. By studying different types of prisons and alternative forms of punishment, penologists can determine what works best for different types of offenders.