Kirstin Anderson 's Avatar

Kirstin Anderson

@kir-anderson.bsky.social

Lecturer in Criminology at Edinburgh Napier University. I'm interested in education in prisons, arts and justice, public health and criminal justice and prison abolition. Ask me about prisoner made magazines.(Embroidery image in banner by Sarah K. Benning)

147 Followers  |  96 Following  |  24 Posts  |  Joined: 17.01.2025  |  1.7591

Latest posts by kir-anderson.bsky.social on Bluesky

1. I'm chuffed that my paper with Families, Relationships and Societies @brisunipress.bsky.social is featured in the journal’s Editors Choice Collection! This is very much a first for me. The publisher is offering free access until 31st Oct: bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/subject/Edit...

05.08.2025 09:29 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Click on the link below to find out more about this publication, the colleagues who authored it, and Edinburgh Napier University's track record of excellence in criminological research:
www.napier.ac.uk/about-us/new...

05.08.2025 14:39 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Cover page of the textbook Criminal Justice in Scotland.

Cover page of the textbook Criminal Justice in Scotland.

πŸ§‘β€βš–οΈ | The first book in a decade to focus entirely on Scotland’s criminal justice system has been published.

Learn more about Criminal Justice in Scotland ‡️

Story ➑️ orlo.uk/zWH3F

#MustBeNapier | @socscinapier.bsky.social

05.08.2025 13:29 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
Preview
Criminal Justice in Scotland Providing a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the contemporary Scottish criminal justice system, this book focuses on its key processes (from arrest to post-sentence) and institutions, as w...

And today’s publication day!

Massive thanks to my lovely @socscinapier.bsky.social co-authors, Jamie Buchan & @kmmorrison.bsky.social - and to everyone who helped by reviewing chapters, answering queries or chatting to us about their work.

www.routledge.com/Criminal-Jus...

04.08.2025 08:41 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks, Karen!

24.07.2025 13:57 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
a cat is sitting on a couch with its mouth open and making a surprised face . ALT: a cat is sitting on a couch with its mouth open and making a surprised face .

For clarification, we don't swing cats!

24.07.2025 09:39 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
The Howard League | What are IPP sentences? What are IPP sentences? An explainer by the Howard League for Penal Reform.

We're working to end the detention of people on IPP and 'two-strike' prison sentences. Find out why thousands of people are still in prison serving sentences that were abolished many years ago: howardleague.org/wha...

24.07.2025 07:00 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks, Hannah!

24.07.2025 07:47 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

What an honour! I'm so thankful to the Royal Society of Edinburgh for this opportunity and to my Napier team for all the support!

23.07.2025 20:39 β€” πŸ‘ 19    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 3    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Criminal Justice in Scotland Providing a comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the contemporary Scottish criminal justice system, this book focuses on its key processes (from arrest to post-sentence) and institutions, as w...

NEW #textbook on Criminal Justice in #Scotland by me & @edinburghnapier.bsky.social @socscinapier.bsky.social colleagues, Jamie Buchan and @kmmorrison.bsky.social, out on 4th Aug. Until the 1st it's Β£8 off in the Routledge sale: www.routledge.com/Criminal-Jus...

21.07.2025 12:35 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 2
Post image

β€˜Unlocking the Arts' a discussion with Kirstin Anderson at Edinburgh International Book Festival this August. Tickets available now - find out more: https://loom.ly/t2XrGPc
#EdBookFest #Barlinnie #prisons #books @edbookfest.bsky.social

24.06.2025 09:48 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Holloway + Q&A | Showtimes and Tickets Six women return to the now abandoned Holloway Prison to take part in a women’s circle. Sharing some of the most intimate experiences of their lives, they each unravel what led them to prison, b...

Screening of Holloway this Sunday at the Cameo in Edinburgh, followed with a Q&A with co-director Sophie Compton. Looks like an important film! 'Women are powerful, when they find their voice.' Hope to see you there! withhttps://www.picturehouses.com/movie-details/000/HO00016374/holloway-q-a?filter=

24.06.2025 09:03 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Kirstin Anderson & Lady Unchained: Unlocking the Arts From Mon 18 Aug - Cultural experiences are a proven springboard for positive change and rehabilitation in the criminal justice system. Yet, despite numerous interventions over the last 50 years, arts ...

I’m very excited to be at @edbookfest.bsky.social to discuss the Barlinnie Special Unit in a panel with #LadyUnchained Their poetry collection β€˜Behind Bars’ should not be missed! Come join us and @noellecobden.bsky.social for a discussion on arts and imprisonment www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival...

10.06.2025 11:05 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

"Kirstin Anderson opened by pulling no punches". I have zero trouble believing that! As always, here's @kir-anderson.bsky.social taking hard questions head on and leading exactly the kind of conversation we should be having about prisons: about social harms, academic pavidity, and lessons unlearned.

16.05.2025 10:54 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Blog: Building Hope: Art, Architecture, and the Possibility of Abolition - Paisley Book Festival Dr Kirstin Anderson, lecturer in criminology at Edinburgh Napier University, and Professor Yvonne Jewkes, one of the

Many thanks to @joesmithcreative.bsky.social for an excellent write up of our session at the Paisley Book Festival last month paisleybookfestival.com/blog-buildin...

16.05.2025 09:14 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

Wow! Thank you @inquest-org.bsky.social for putting together an incredible and sobering resource.

07.05.2025 10:15 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Working with Prison Reading Groups @prg-uk.bsky.social is honestly the best volunteer experience I've ever had. They are a great organisation that truly works to get books in the hands of people in prison; I'm so thankful for them. Read their most recent report to find out more about their work. πŸ“šπŸ“šπŸ“š

07.05.2025 10:02 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Video thumbnail

Major new report out today from SCCJR on the number of deaths in custody.

❗️Prison deaths in Scotland have surged to 64 in the last year.

bit.ly/deaths-in-cu...

Watch this short video to find out the key statsπŸ‘‡

29.04.2025 06:07 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 11    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 2
Preview
Building Hope: Art, Architecture, and Criminal Justice - Paisley Book Festival Sunday 27th April, 10-11am

I'm very excited to share our book 'The Barlinnie Special Unit: Art, Punishment and Innovation' at the Paisley Book Festival on 27 April in Paisley Town Hall in an event with Prof @yvonnejewkes.bsky.social, chaired by the incredible Lorna Callery. Join us! paisleybookfestival.com/programme/bu...

19.03.2025 15:56 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Having seen the incredible amount of work and care that went into the design of this MSc behind the scenes (I'm looking at you @frasoliman.bsky.social), I can tell you; it's going to be great! Come study #criminology with us at @edinburghnapier.bsky.social

07.03.2025 17:48 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Utterly delighted to see this MSc out in the world after so much hard work went into its design. Come study #criminology (and #zemiology) with us at @edinburghnapier.bsky.social, you couldn't find a better team than the outstanding scholars and educators I have the pleasure of calling my colleagues

07.03.2025 14:05 β€” πŸ‘ 17    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

Excited to give a SASO guest lecture on the Barlinnie Special Unit tomorrow evening, 4 March 2025, at the Edinburgh Sheriff Court, 17:30, free, open to all interested and no registration needed @socscinapier.bsky.social www.sastudyoffending.org.uk/attachments/...

03.03.2025 15:16 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

An insight into real world practice as our students heard statements from the Scottish Police Federation and GEOAmey on the impact of COVID-19 on their organisations. Thanks to @kir-anderson.bsky.social and @frasoliman.bsky.social for organising and @covid19inquiry.scot for a warm welcome.

27.02.2025 12:00 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

Need an update about the building of HMP Glasgow? This is a good thread for that.

06.02.2025 15:24 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Sooooooooo good! Can't recommend this podcast enough. I'll listen to it again. Thank goodness for Syliva!

02.02.2025 20:39 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks, NoΓ«lle, and thanks for all your support over the years!

31.01.2025 14:38 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

It’s the 8th anniversary of our book group at HMP Shotts this January. We’ve read a lot over the years (missing some titles as we used to share copies). A MASSIVE thank you to @prg-uk.bsky.social @giveabookorg.bsky.social for your support & @edbookfest.bsky.social for supporting author visits! πŸ“šπŸ“šπŸ“š

31.01.2025 14:12 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
Post image

Lots of discussion in our book group today at HMP Shotts about Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes. Who gets to tell the story determines the story. 🐍
@prg-uk.bsky.social @giveabookorg.bsky.social

31.01.2025 14:09 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
In 2024, prisons in England and Wales recorded the highest number of homicides since 2015

In 2024, prisons in England and Wales recorded the highest number of homicides since 2015

Official figures released this morning show that 342 people died in prison custody in England and Wales in 2024 – a 10% rise on the previous year.

Find the Ministry of Justice's safety in custody stats here: www.gov.uk/government/s...

30.01.2025 10:06 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

A powerful and impactful piece that helped me get unstuck from the disorienting onslaught of Trump's actions in my home country. I've donated, and will continue to do so, to the Trans Youth Emergency Project in the U.S., one of the important campaigns organised by the @southernequality.bsky.social

29.01.2025 10:15 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

@kir-anderson is following 20 prominent accounts