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On the history of punishment in Australia and new Zealand*

On the history of punishment in Australia and new Zealand* AUST & NZ JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY (July 1991) 24 (139-143) 139 ON TUE HISTORY OF PUNISHMENT IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND* P N Graboskyt Those engaged in research on the history of punishment may be so for a variety of motives. Some may be driven by pure intellectual curiosity, others, perhaps, by sublimated punitive impulses. Others still, not content with a mere understanding of the forces which have shaped penal policy, seek to influence these forces now and in the future. But our concern here is history as an independent variable: Of what use is it? What purpose does it serve? What can it achieve? Research on the history of punishment can enhance our understanding of contemporary issues. Occasionally, even governments seek out historical knowledge. (eg, Gurr, Grabosky and Hula, 1977; Grabosky 1977). Lamentably, governmental interest in affairs of the past now appears all but non-existent, and practitioners of criminal justice tend not to be appreciative of historical inquiry. At best, the nostalgia buffs among them find it interesting, if not terribly useful, The more cynical, whose vision extends no further than the next election, are probably inclined to the attitude of Henry Ford: 'History is more or less http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology SAGE

On the history of punishment in Australia and new Zealand*

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References (4)

Publisher
SAGE
Copyright
Copyright © by SAGE Publications
ISSN
0004-8658
eISSN
1837-9273
DOI
10.1177/000486589102400207
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

AUST & NZ JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGY (July 1991) 24 (139-143) 139 ON TUE HISTORY OF PUNISHMENT IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND* P N Graboskyt Those engaged in research on the history of punishment may be so for a variety of motives. Some may be driven by pure intellectual curiosity, others, perhaps, by sublimated punitive impulses. Others still, not content with a mere understanding of the forces which have shaped penal policy, seek to influence these forces now and in the future. But our concern here is history as an independent variable: Of what use is it? What purpose does it serve? What can it achieve? Research on the history of punishment can enhance our understanding of contemporary issues. Occasionally, even governments seek out historical knowledge. (eg, Gurr, Grabosky and Hula, 1977; Grabosky 1977). Lamentably, governmental interest in affairs of the past now appears all but non-existent, and practitioners of criminal justice tend not to be appreciative of historical inquiry. At best, the nostalgia buffs among them find it interesting, if not terribly useful, The more cynical, whose vision extends no further than the next election, are probably inclined to the attitude of Henry Ford: 'History is more or less

Journal

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology – SAGE

Published: Jul 1, 1991

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