Young men between the ages of 18 and 24 were described by the Prison Review Team (PRT 2011: 70) as the “forgotten group” in the Northern Ireland prison system. The Criminal Justice Inspection NI (2013) raised concerns about prisoner safety and levels of violence in Hydebank Wood Young Offender Centre. In addressing these criticisms the NI Prison Service converted Hydebank into a ‘Secure College’. Young men sentenced to Hydebank before their 21st birthday may remain there until the age of 24. After that young men are transferred to HMP Maghaberry, a high security prison, housing adult men sentenced or remanded to custody. Young men deemed disruptive and non-conforming may be transferred from Hydebank to Maghaberry at any age.
The process of transitioning from a Young Offenders Centre to an adult prison has been referred to as being ‘Starred Up’ (Devlin, 1996; Smith, 2015). In 2015 a CJINI inspection found Maghaberry to be unsafe and unstable for prisoners and staff. There has been limited research exploring the transition between youth custody institutions and adult prisons, however it is acknowledged as a process requiring careful management (HoC Justice Committee 2018).
The research will explore young prisoners’ experiences of the transition from Hydebank to Maghaberry, considering the implications for their eventual release. The proposal links with AHSS priorities, being focused on the imprisonment of young men who have experienced poverty, educational underachievement, social marginalisation, and sectarian conflict (Ashe and Harland, 2014).
Applications are invited for a PhD studentship from students with a good first degree in the social sciences or related area who wish to conduct research on the experiences of young men in prison.
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.
We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.
In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.
The University offers the following levels of support:
The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:
These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.
The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).
This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.
Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living
Submission deadline
Friday 7 February 2020
12:00AM
Interview Date
23 and 24 March 2020
Preferred student start date
Mid September 2020
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