penology

or poe·nol·o·gy

[ pee-nol-uh-jee ]

noun

1. the study of the punishment of crime, in both its deterrent and its reformatory aspects.
2. the study of the management of prisons.

penology

/ piːˈnɒlədʒɪ; ˌpiːnəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the branch of the social sciences concerned with the punishment of crime
2. the science of prison management

Derived Forms

• peˈnologist, noun
• penological, adjective
• ˌpenoˈlogically, adverb

Other Words From

• pe·no·log·i·cal [peen-l-, oj, -i-k, uh, l], adjective
• pe·nolo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of penology¹

1830–40; peno- (combining form representing Greek poinḗ penalty) + -logy

Word History and Origins

Origin of penology¹

C19: from Greek poinē punishment

Example Sentences

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

It would involve "experts in the fields of medicine, psychiatry, penology and social and moral welfare", a statement said.

From BBC

The chairman of the State Senate’s committee on corrections and penology, Shane Martin, said on Monday that he was appointing a subcommittee to study the issue.

From New York Times

In fact, the “Pennsylvania system” was penology’s breakthrough idea, rescuing murderers, burglars, forgers and confidence men from cruel treatment by keepers and fellow miscreants.

From Washington Post

After graduating from high school in Coatesville, Pa., she earned a degree in creative writing in 1953 from the University of Washington, where she also took courses in abnormal psychology, criminology and penology.

From New York Times