CJS Seminar: Dr Ian D. Marder

The Crime, Justice & Society Seminar Series presents
Restorative practices and relational Pr*son leadership in Ireland
Dr Ian D. Marder
About this event
The quality of relationships and levels of conflict are critical elements of Pr*son life, with consequences for people in custody, and Pr*son staff and leaders alike. This article outlines the findings from research in which the Irish Pr*son Service senior leadership team received training in restorative practices: a set of principles and skills that help professionals build relationships and address conflict. We interviewed 22 trainees three-to-five months after their training to examine the reported effects on their practices. Interviewees described adopting more relational communication approaches, using the principles and skills learned to de-escalate conflict and preserve relationships with and among people in custody and staff. Arguing that the concept of relational Pr*son leadership helps illustrate the connections between restorative practices, Pr*son leadership and Pr*son social climates, the article contributes to the limited empirical literatures on Pr*son leadership and restorative practices in prisons.

About the speakers
Dr Ian D. Marder (Assistant Professor in Criminology, Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology), Triona Kenny (Research Assistant in Restorative Practices, Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology) and Katharina Kurz (Research Assistant in Restorative Practices, Maynooth University School of Law and Criminology)

Host or Publisher Edinburgh Law School, University of Edinburgh