Philosophy for Prisoners

Can prisoners benefit from engaging in philosophical thinking? Kirstine Szifris spent six months teaching philosophy to prisoners and says it can can mitigate prison violence and help prisoners to engage in deep self-reflection, getting closer to the ideals of rehabilitation.

Can prisoners benefit from engaging in philosophical thinking?

Research associate Kirstine Szifris spent six months teaching philosophy to prisoners held in two male prisons. She claims that philosophy lessons can mitigate prison violence and the pervading feeling of drudgery. Specifically, she writes, philosophy helps prisoners question and dismantle macho identities that the prison environment instils upon them. Through asking philosophical questions such as “what is morality” and “how should society be organized” prisoners are able to engage in deep self-reflection, getting closer to the ideals of rehabilitation. 

If indeed philosophy classes can provide transformative experiences to prisoners, maybe we should consider having more of them as part of the ongoing conversation about prison reform. 

Read more about Szifris’ research here: http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/prisoners-research-criminal-justice-system-philosophy-prison-culture-uk-prisoners-a8225066.html

Also, check out “Philosophy Behind Bars,” the episode we did with philosopher Jennifer Lackey, who teaches philosophy to prison inmates: https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/philosophy-behind-bars