Dr Ben Jarman

I am a Research Fellow at the University of Southampton’s Law School, where I investigate parole decision-making and the parole process in England & Wales. Further information about my work can be found at my profile website, benjarman.uk.

My research explores the intersections between the sociology of prisons and punishment, moral philosophy, and criminal law, with a particular focus on the experiences of long-term prisoners and the implications of extreme punishments in the UK criminal justice system.

My interest in this field originated during my work with Fine Cell Work, a social enterprise producing textile arts in prisons. This experience led me to a Masters in Criminological Research at the University of Cambridge, followed by a PhD (completed in 2024). My doctoral research, jointly funded by the ESRC and Quakers in Britain, examined the ethical experiences of men serving life sentences for murder, exploring how they make sense of their situation and construct positive identities within the prison environment.

Previously, I was a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (ICPR) at Birkbeck, University of London, where I led an international comparative project on prison labour and employment training for prisoners and prison-leavers. I have also worked with the Prison Reform Trust on a project about how long-term prisoners understand and evaluate the policies which govern sentence progression.

My career began in teaching before transitioning to the criminal justice sector via roles with the Quaker Council for European Affairs and Clinks. I welcome collaboration with researchers and practitioners in criminology, sociology, public policy, and law, both within Southampton and beyond.

Prizes