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‘Tightness’, autonomy and release: The anticipated pains of release and life licencing

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  • Ailie Rennie
  • Ben Crewe

Abstract

This article explores how men serving mandatory life sentences in England and Wales anticipate life after release and the imposition of a life licence. It reports the various ways that lifers feared licencing as being exceedingly ‘tight’ and restrictive, sometimes resulting in them retreating from release altogether. At the same time, some participants reported a motivation to embrace the ‘tightness’ of their impending licence conditions, and use penal power as a means of structuring life on release. Whether they resisted or embraced penal intervention, all participants altered their aspirations to what seemed achievable upon release when subject to numerous conditions. Specifically, the article argues that the anticipation of a particular mode of penal power has a material effect on lifers’ approach to release.

Suggested Citation

  • Ailie Rennie & Ben Crewe, 2023. "‘Tightness’, autonomy and release: The anticipated pains of release and life licencing," The British Journal of Criminology, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, vol. 63(1), pages 184-200.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:crimin:v:63:y:2023:i:1:p:184-200.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/bjc/azac008
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    1. Beth Weaver & Laura Piacentini & Kristina Moodie & Monica Barry, 2021. "Exploring and Explaining Non-Compliance with Community Supervision [Auditor General, Accounts Commission]," The British Journal of Criminology, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, vol. 61(2), pages 434-455.
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