PENOLOGY

Program Introduction

Penology is a specialized field that focuses on the study of prison legal systems. It is a sub-discipline of departmental law with a broad scope of research. 

In addition to in-depth studies of prison legal systems, this field also encompasses prison history, prison administration, inmate education, inmate labor, inmate psychology, prison economic management, prison healthcare, prison architecture, and the social protection of released offenders.

Program Objectives

The Penology program adheres to the principles of moral and legal education, aiming to meet the practical needs of building a socialist rule of law system and a law-based country. The program cultivates applied legal professionals with a firm political stance, strict organizational discipline, and the ability to implement laws, regulations, and policies related to prison work.

Students will systematically acquire foundational knowledge and professional skills in law, education, management, police studies, and psychology. Graduates will be prepared to work in prisons, community correctional institutions, and other judicial, government, or administrative agencies.

Graduation Requirements

1. Competency Requirements

• Political Competency: Love for the socialist motherland, support for the leadership of the Communist Party of China, mastery of the socialist theoretical system with Chinese characteristics, strong political ideals and beliefs, commitment to practicing socialist core values, and a firm political stance.

• Legal Competency: Strong legal awareness, adherence to the principle of the rule of law, proficiency in legal knowledge, and a commitment to fairness, integrity, and professional ethics.

• Professional Competency: High ethical standards in law enforcement, fostering loyalty, self-discipline, responsibility, and a dedication to the prison profession with strong organizational discipline.

• Humanities and Scientific Competency: Broad cultural knowledge and an innovative scientific spirit.

• Physical and Psychological Competency: Good physical fitness and mental resilience.

2. Knowledge Requirements

• Solid foundational knowledge in law, education, management, police studies, psychology, criminology, and sociology.

• Specialized knowledge in preventing and combating crimes within prisons, implementing sentences, managing and rehabilitating inmates, and studying inmate psychology.

• Understanding of international prison sentence execution and crime prevention mechanisms.

• Basic knowledge of social sciences, natural sciences, and cognitive sciences.

3. Skills Requirements

• Proficiency in preventing and combating crimes, executing sentences, managing inmate education and rehabilitation, conducting inmate psychological correction, and handling emergency situations in correctional facilities.

• Strong professional writing and verbal communication skills.

• Basic proficiency in a foreign language, meeting the requirements of the College English Test Band 4 (CET-4).

• High-level computer operation and practical application skills.

• Ability to conduct literature retrieval, data analysis, independent knowledge acquisition, problem identification, and problem-solving.

• Strong teamwork and communication skills.

Core Courses

• Fundamentals of Jurisprudence

• Constitutional Law

• Criminal Law

• Criminal Procedure Law

• Civil Law

• Administrative Law

• Economic Law

• Criminology

• Criminal Psychology

• Fundamentals of Penology

• Prison Sentencing Law

• Prison Administration

• Prison Education

• Prison Investigation

• Inmate Rehabilitation Psychology

• Prison Economic Management

• Comparative Penology

• Legal Writing

• Labor Education Law

• Criminal Photography

• Interrogation Studies

• Surveillance Technology

• Shooting Techniques

• Police Combat Training

Research Directions

The main research directions in the Penology program include:

• Prison Law

• Prison Administration

• Inmate Rehabilitation Studies

• Prison Psychology

• Prison Economics

• Prison Architecture

• Rehabilitation and Assistance for Released Offenders

• Comparative Penology

Degree Awarded

Students who meet the academic requirements and fulfill the degree criteria will be awarded a Bachelor degree.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the Penology program can pursue careers in:

• Judicial and law enforcement agencies: Engaging in law enforcement and judicial work.

• Correctional facilities (prisons, drug rehabilitation centers, detention centers): Managing inmates, providing education, and conducting psychological correction.

• Government agencies and enterprises: Engaging in legal affairs and security management.

Main Career Positions

• Civil Servant

• Police Officer

• Prison Officer

• University Faculty and Researcher

Related Majors

• Law

• Intellectual Property

• Credit Risk Management and Legal Prevention

• International Economic and Trade Rules

• Judicial Police Studies

• Community Corrections

• Discipline Inspection and Supervision

• International Law

• Forensic Science

• National Security Studies

• Overseas Interest Security

Top Universities for Penology

• China University of Political Science and Law

• Shanghai University of Political Science and Law

• Shandong University of Political Science and Law

• Liaoning Police Academy

• Fujian Police College