penology
Americannoun
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the study of the punishment of crime, in both its deterrent and its reformatory aspects.
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the study of the management of prisons.
noun
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the branch of the social sciences concerned with the punishment of crime
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the science of prison management
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of penology
1830–40; peno- (combining form representing Greek poinḗ penalty) + -logy
Explanation
A criminologist, or expert on criminal behavior, who specializes in penology knows all about prisons, including the management and rehabilitation of prisoners. The ultimate root of this word is the Greek word poine, or "penalty," and that makes sense when you learn that the word refers to the branch of criminology dealing with prisoners and their management. An older spelling of the word is poenology, in which you can perhaps discern a relative of penology: "subpoena," literally "under penalty."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Scott, a Columbia Democrat, operated a realty company and had been in the Legislature for more than 30 years, serving most recently on the Senate’s judiciary, medical affairs and penology committees.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 13, 2023
It would involve "experts in the fields of medicine, psychiatry, penology and social and moral welfare", a statement said.
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2022
As one 1909 letter to the editor of the Atlanta Constitution read, “The penology of the future will make just as adequate and intelligent provisions,” when navigating the “perplexing juncture” of suspicion, identification, and surveillance.
From Slate • Feb. 17, 2020
She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington in creative writing, with minors in psychology, criminology and penology.
From US News • Jul. 28, 2015
I don't know much about penology, but that's the way I'd do it.
From Highways in Hiding by Smith, George Oliver
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
