Old age, risk and vulnerability: A humanitarian-punitive ethos
November 24th, 2025
In the October issue of Punishment & Society appears the English-language article “Old Age, Risk and Vulnerability: A Humanitarian–Punitive Ethos” by Marion Vannier (University of Manchester).
The author investigates how logics of care and control intersect in the management of older prisoners, introducing the notion of a “humanitarian–punitive ethos” to describe the dual framework through which penal institutions approach ageing, frailty, and security. This fragile balance—where care becomes a form of control—contributes to normalizing the presence of elderly individuals in prison and to reinforcing the idea that ageing can be “managed” within the penal system.
To read the full article, please consult the following link.