Immigration, Penal-Nationalism and the Future of the Welfare State

An open online workshop with Vanessa Barker, Peter Scharff Smith and Noa Milman

Thursday, April 7th 2022 from 10.00 to 12.00

This workshop combines sociological theory and empirical research to investigate intersections between immigration, welfare and criminal justice in Scandinavian welfare states in international comparison. As Europe faces again a large wave of refugees, this time from Ukraine, it is worth looking at the recent past to critically examine how Europe has responded to the urgent question of refugees’ reception and integration. In particular, we ask how criminal justice policies change when immigration discourse changes. Danish and Swedish criminal justice policies have traditionally been more rehabilitative. However, newest research shows an evolving shift towards penal nationalist policies in the context of growing diversity and immigration pressure. We will examine these shifts, and ultimately ask – how do these changes alter the welfare state, what are the mechanisms that facilitate the change, and what needs to be done in order to preserve and expand the rehabilitative welfare state for all its members.

The workshop will consist of three presentations followed by ample time for discussion and dialogue.

Paradox of Violence and the Future of Welfare States
Vanessa Barker, Department of Sociology, Stockholm University

From Rehabilitation to Detention - When Immigrants Become Prisoners
Peter Scharff Smith, Department of Criminology and sociology of Law, University of Oslo

Welfare Anxiety and the Justification of Penal and Social Reforms
Noa Milman, Department of Sociology, University of Copenhagen

Questions? Contact Noa Milman: nom@soc.ku.dk / noamilman@hotmail.com