Sign in

Fergus McNeill

@fergusmcneill.bsky.social
1.6K followers 1.4K following 101 posts

Criminologist interested mainly in punishment, rehabilitation and reintegration… increasingly explored via creative methods. Also a singer-songwriter, when I can find the time.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Inequality News @inequalitynews.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
📢 ROLL UP ! ROLL UP ! DEMOCRACY FOR SALE ! Everything Must Go: Decency, Compassion, Kindness, Caring, Fairness, Tolerance, Optimism, Hope, Justice... www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
theguardian.com
Reform UK given record £36m donation by British crypto billionaire
Ben Delo was convicted in US for failing to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls but pardoned by Trump
01714
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Peter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
At what point does ‘the masked men on the street have legitimate concerns’ and ‘Just Stop Oil/Palestine Action are terrorists’ become two tier policing?
671696464
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Alison Phipps አሊሰን @alisonphipps.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
So, tackling 1000 wild fires in England by dousing the country in oil, telling migrants to go home but not turning up to the count in your home constituency, all while claiming safety threat which Police deny, is a winning strategy for NOT dodging Parliamentary Inquiry into possible bribes?
083
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Graeme @graeme2030.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Fantastic article from @fergusmcneill.bsky.social 👌 www.prison-insider.com/en/articles/...
prison-insider.com
Tail them, nail them, jail them!
Fergus McNeill is a professor of Criminology and Social Work at the University of Glasgow. With Prison Insider, he looks back at the trajectory of community sanctions: what they promised, what they de...
112
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Alison Phipps አሊሰን @alisonphipps.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
“A United Nations Inquiry found in September last year that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza.” Scottish educators seek legal advice over 'smear campaign' by pro-Israel group www.thenational.scot/news/2642831...
thenational.scot
Scottish educators seek legal advice over 'smear campaign' by pro-Israel group
A GROUP of Scottish educators advocating for peace in Palestine have been forced to seek legal advice after a targeted campaign by a pro-Israel…
22213
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Guardian US @us.theguardian.com · 30/07/2026
"A concentration camp, in its most basic definition, is a place where a targeted civilian population, not necessarily accused of a crime, is detained and at least some of their basic rights are suspended," writes @jwashing.bsky.social. "That’s precisely what’s happening in the United States today."
theguardian.com
Don’t call them ICE detention centers. Call them camps | John Washington
I’ve spent a decade reporting on immigration enforcement. The word ‘camp’ best captures the political function of these facilities
484152997382
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
God @thegodshow.com · 21/07/2026
Seen in Philadelphia.
259142734700
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
The Council of Europe Anti-Torture Committee has published its report on visits to prisons and Police custody in Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 They highlight prison overcrowding as a critical issue that needs to be addressed. They praise Scotland ending jailing of under 18s. 🔗 #HumanRights www.coe.int/en/web/cpt/n...
Image with a photo of a Scottish prison and white text on a blue background saying 'Visit report on Scotland (United Kingdom)' and the strapping, 'preventing Torture in Europe'.
042
Fergus McNeill @fergusmcneill.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Anyone else have an issue with accessing the chat here? It looks like I have some messages there, but when I click on ‘chat’ I get a ‘Whoops’ message, and logging out and in wont fix it… 🤷‍♂️. @bsky.app
000
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, Sara Snell, and Jacqueline Clinton from HMIPS are giving evidence to Scottish Parliament Criminal Justice Committee on prisons. It is welcome and timely they get to do this before recess. 1/🧵 #prison #CrimSky @parliament.scot www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/crim...
scottishparliament.tv
Criminal Justice Committee | Scottish Parliament TV
163
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Alison Phipps አሊሰን @alisonphipps.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
We must stand with New Scots in the face of division and hate www.thenational.scot/politics/262...
thenational.scot
We must stand with New Scots in the face of division and hate
SCOTLAND has a long history of welcoming people of all nationalities and faiths, including those seeking refuge and asylum from war and persecution.
1114
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Alison Phipps አሊሰን @alisonphipps.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Enduring lesson: when given a choice between their immediate comfort and frying their children‘s future in oil or a habitable future, people chose to burn their kids’ future. Other choices are vital and must be presented as such even if its already way too late. #AberdeenSouth
171
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
A wee group of angry balaclava and mask-wearing anti-immigration guys tried to stop the good people of Glasgow showing solidarity with migrants and standing up to racism and fascism. Well, the far right are far outnumbered... #RefugeesWelcome #MigrantsWelcome #NeighboursNotStrangers #Glasgow
Photo of a small group of mostly men wearing black, with masks and balaclavas, surrounded by a Police Scotland cordon in the bottom of the photo, in the foreground. In the background, a very large colourful crowd of people with saltires, trade union banners, and hand-made signs in support of migrants and against racism have turned up to gather to show solidarity, and the far right guys were hoping to thwart that. They didn't.
17471192184
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Politicians who fanned these flames should hang their heads in shame. Time and again we've seen this story play out. Single incidents used to fuel a far right narrative - and communities across the nation paying the price.
Huge fires encompassing a street with buildings, cars and the majority of the street on fire with plumes of black smoke.
21244641259
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Alison Phipps አሊሰን @alisonphipps.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Again and again and again researchers, activists and people who work to enable communities to live well and peacefully together had warned and offered clear, practical steps. *Last year* I spoke at length of this with @neilmackay.bsky.social It will get worse without action
heraldscotland.com
Scots scholar says anti-refugee rhetoric has led UK into “the foothills of genocide”
POLITICAL rhetoric in Britain has taken the country into “the foothills of genocide”, according to Scotland’s leading scholar on issues…
05031
Fergus McNeill @fergusmcneill.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
I've called on the UK government to step up to its legal and moral obligation to stop ALL arms sales and military support to Israel. This is a crucial step towards accountability and justice. #StopArmingIsrael www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved...
oxfam.org.uk
Oxfam GB | Stop arming Israel: sign our petition now
I've called on the UK government to step up to its legal and moral obligation to stop ALL arms sales and military support to Israel. This is a crucial step towards accountability and justice. #StopArm...
052
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Stirling Criminology @stirunicriminology.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
🆕️ journal article by @fergusmcneill.bsky.social, Lucy Cathcart Frödén, @philcrockettthomas.bsky.social, @oliverescobar.bsky.social, @alisonurie.bsky.social, Jo Collinson Scott Making Light of Imprisonment: Humour, Connection and Resistance #Criminology #CrimSky journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
journals.sagepub.com
153
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Miranda Yaver @mirandayaver.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
This New Yorker cartoon is accurate but a gut punch.
364193914674
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Alison Phipps አሊሰን @alisonphipps.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
A lovely write up about our new book of Poetry @uofgunescorila.bsky.social iona.org.uk/cloth-as-mem...
iona.org.uk
Cloth as Memory, Cloth as Map: The Story Woven into Words
Jane Darroch Riley reflects on the significance of the book covers of two recent Wild Goose Publications by Alison Phipps and Tawona Sitholé.
063
Fergus McNeill @fergusmcneill.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Seems entirely sensible to me. Much more so than sending our money (and our people) overseas, as per one of the other party’s idiotic proposal for (mis)managing the prisons crisis. 🤔
030
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Alison Phipps አሊሰን @alisonphipps.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
International law - the whole edifice; all of diplomacy; and every comma in the American constitution are failing in this abject and absolute triumph of necropolitics with impunity. Every last sinew of diplomacy must now be strained. UK airspace must be closed to US military. Immediately.
0238
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Alison Phipps አሊሰን @alisonphipps.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
As of end‑December 2025, Ethiopia hosted an estimated 1.12 million refugees and asylum‑seekers, primarily from South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, and Sudan. There are no safe or legal routes to U.K. who have cut overseas aid again to host countries of refugees
reliefweb.int
Ethiopia Country Refugee Response Plan | 2026 - Ethiopia
Appeal in English on Ethiopia and 4 other countries about Coordination, Education, Drought and more; published on 31 Mar 2026 by UNHCR
0106
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
Looking forward to speaking at this SASO event as a Commissioner in the independent Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission. 📆 5:45pm, Tuesday 21st April. 🏫 Venue: St George's Tron, Buchanan St, Glasgow. 🎟 👇 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-prison... #Criminology #CrimSky #Law #SocialWork #Decarceration
eventbrite.co.uk
The Prisons & Penal Crisis: What Should be Done?
Join SASO to learn out about the Sentencing & Penal Policy Commission’s newly published recommendations and to put your questions to them.
084
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Alison Phipps አሊሰን @alisonphipps.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
UK is now refusing entry to students from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Cameroon and Sudan because it now calls their right to claim asylum ‚an abuse‘. This contravenes the Refugee Convention.
04721
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
The successful candidate to this part-time Research Associate post will be working in a research team of wonderful people/academics: @bethweaver.bsky.social @nicolacarr.bsky.social @jakephillips.bsky.social @fergusmcneill.bsky.social Sarah Doxat-Pratt, Jan Flaherty, and me! [2/2]
043
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Alison Phipps አሊሰን @alisonphipps.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
For some this is literally a death sentence- they know this. We have repeatedly furnished the evidence and reports. This is what ideological hate looks and sounds like - wearing a suit and elected but without anything but ‘Change’ in the manifesto and NONE of this far right agenda embrace
199
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
A Giant on the Bridge @agiantonthebridge.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
One final song to wrap up our tour of A Giant on the Bridge. This is Bars and Multicoloured Chairs - written by Alana Moore, Louis Abbott & Phil Crockett Thomas. 🪑 See you tomorrow Skye! 🙌 #livemusic #gig #theatre #scottishtheatre #musicvideo
001
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
On BBC Radio and TV today (Breakfast, DriveTime, Reporting Scotland, News at Seven), Fiona Stalker has an important story about women on remand in prison, awaiting trial. On Breakfast, just after 7 am, I discussed these issues with her. We need to reduce use of remand. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
Radio Scotland Breakfast - 20/03/2026 - BBC Sounds
News from across Scotland and the world, plus sport, weather and big name interviews.
062
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Alison Phipps አሊሰን @alisonphipps.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
Dear Home Secretary, People get on boats to cross the Channel because they love their families, because the separations - like those we all went through hell with under Lockdown - are killing them. Because living without the one’s you love is unendurable. That’s it. 1/
185
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Scotland has a new Human Rights Tracker. This online tool allows you to explore recommendations made by six UN #HumanRights treaty bodies and filter by theme, human rights issue, affected group. Mentioning it because not many know about it; it isn't being posted on here. humanrightstracker.gov.scot
Screenshot of the new Human Rights Tracker tool on a mobile device, with a welcome message.
156
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
A Giant on the Bridge @agiantonthebridge.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
🖕Fuck It Button written by Gus Bear and Donna Maciocia Another taste of the music from A Giant on the Bridge, this song centred around the characters D and June. Played by Dave Hook and Jill O’Sullivan. #livemusic #gig #musicvideo #theatre #scotland
031
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
A Giant on the Bridge @agiantonthebridge.bsky.social · 14/03/2026
🌟 New 4.5 star review just dropped for A Giant on the Bridge. “Deeply emotional and slightly mad, this is a performance which stands out from the rest“ Read the full review below 👇
ayoungishperspective.co.uk
REVIEW: A Giant On The Bridge
Fascinating, mad and impactful are just a few of the words one could use to describe A Giant On The Bridge. This concert-like experience mixed with spoken-word theatre blends the story of a father on ...
021
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Sociological and Cultural Studies, University of Glasgow @uofgsociology.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Very glad to share this critical reflection from our own @nasarmeer.bsky.social; out now with @politicshome.bsky.social.
155
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Sociological and Cultural Studies, University of Glasgow @uofgsociology.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Out now by our own @susan-batchelor.bsky.social and Caitlin Gormley, ‘Reframing repeat violence: A critical life-course perspective’, British Journal of Criminology. Open access: academic.oup.com/bjc/article/...
academic.oup.com
Validate User
054
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Dr. Susan A. Batchelor @susan-batchelor.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
When violence unfolds across multiple relationships and contexts, incident-based systems struggle to recognise how harms accumulate. New article: ‘Reframing Repeat Violence: A Critical Life-Course Perspective’, British Journal of Criminology. Open access: academic.oup.com/bjc/article/...
academic.oup.com
Reframing repeat violence: A critical life-course perspective
Abstract. This article advances a critical life-course perspective on repeat violence, drawing on qualitative interviews with people with lived experience
032
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Dr. Susan A. Batchelor @susan-batchelor.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
The article develops a qualitative typology highlighting different configurations of repeat violence, including: • unsettled lives • mutual violence • intermittent victimisation Open access: academic.oup.com/bjc/article/...
academic.oup.com
Reframing repeat violence: A critical life-course perspective
Abstract. This article advances a critical life-course perspective on repeat violence, drawing on qualitative interviews with people with lived experience
001
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Dr. Susan A. Batchelor @susan-batchelor.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Our analysis shifts attention away from linear life-course trajectories towards the relational conditions through which harm is produced, recognised and sustained over time. Open access: academic.oup.com/bjc/article/...
academic.oup.com
Reframing repeat violence: A critical life-course perspective
Abstract. This article advances a critical life-course perspective on repeat violence, drawing on qualitative interviews with people with lived experience
001
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Dr. Susan A. Batchelor @susan-batchelor.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Rather than treating repeat violence as incident frequency or individual risk, we analyse it as a cumulative, relational process shaped by inequality and institutional response. Open access: academic.oup.com/bjc/article/...
academic.oup.com
Reframing repeat violence: A critical life-course perspective
Abstract. This article advances a critical life-course perspective on repeat violence, drawing on qualitative interviews with people with lived experience
062
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Dr. Susan A. Batchelor @susan-batchelor.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
The research also highlights the role of institutions - including how misrecognition and marginalisation shape access to safety and support. Open access: academic.oup.com/bjc/article/...
academic.oup.com
Reframing repeat violence: A critical life-course perspective
Abstract. This article advances a critical life-course perspective on repeat violence, drawing on qualitative interviews with people with lived experience
022
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Hannah Graham @drhannahgraham.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
🖊 BLOG: As a Commissioner in the Sentencing & Penal Policy Commission 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, I've written a blog on 'What we learn from listening to people who have been through our Justice system.' Lived experience helped to inform our report. 🔗 Guest blog @sacroscotland.bsky.social www.sacro.org.uk/post/what-we...
sacro.org.uk
What we learn from listening to people who have been through our Justice system | Sacro
Dr Hannah Graham is a Commissioner on the independent Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission. In this guest blog post, she focuses on what we learned from people who have been through the Justice syst...
033
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
A Giant on the Bridge @agiantonthebridge.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
📣 The first of our two performances at Capital Theatres, Studio Theatre has sold out! Edinburgh, just over a week until we see you! 🌉 www.capitaltheatres.com/shows/a-gian... #theatre #livemusic #edinburgh #scotland #gig
011
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Sociological and Cultural Studies, University of Glasgow @uofgsociology.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
We are very pleased to let you know that the latest entry in the Sociological & Cultural Studies blog series has just been published. In 'Away From the Faeries' @fergusmcneill.bsky.social asks what an old Scottish folktale might have to tell us about the meaning of rehabilitation. Please share.
gla.ac.uk
Away from the faeries: the rehabilitation of Tam Lin.
Fergus McNeill asks: 'what does an old Scottish folk-tale have to teach us about the meaning of rehabilitation?'
175
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Cover of The Lancet: @thelancet.com www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
15381683434
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
A Giant on the Bridge @agiantonthebridge.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
What a brilliant opening night for A Giant on the Bridge. Hear what our audience members had to say. 🧡 We’re touring across Scotland until the end of March: www.ktproducing.co.uk/giant #livemusic #theatre #scotland #gig #scottishtheatre
021
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
A Giant on the Bridge @agiantonthebridge.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
📣 Opening night for A Giant on the Bridge Acoustic songwriting, bold storytelling, Scottish hip-hop and more. Here’s a small taste of what to expect. 👉 Two nights in Glasgow only: 25-26 Feb cottiers.com/event/a-gian... #livemusic #glasgow #theatre #gig #scottishtheatre
021
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
A Giant on the Bridge @agiantonthebridge.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
Here’s a sneak peek of the track ‘Everything’s Spherical’ written by Matthew & Jo Mango. 👀 Performed by: Louis Abbott Jo Mango Dave Hook Jill O’Sullivan Kim Grant #livemusic #gig #theatre #scottishtheatre #musicvideo
011
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
A Giant on the Bridge @agiantonthebridge.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
🎶 We sat down with Louis Abbott (Admiral Fallow) to find out more about the different types of music you can experience in A Giant on the Bridge. Two days to go - Cottiers, Glasgow cottiers.com/event/a-gian... #livemusic #gig #theatre #scotland #glasgow
011
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
A Giant on the Bridge @agiantonthebridge.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
📣 In just one week, A Giant on the Bridge tour kicks off at Cottiers, Glasgow. Director Liam Hurley walks us through the space where we’ll be transforming it into something really magical. ✨ Glasgow, book your tickets: cottiers.com/event/a-gian... #livemusic #gig #theatre #glasgow #scotland
021
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
University of Glasgow College of Social Sciences @uofgsocsci.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
New research from the @glasgow.ac.uk explores how recent UK Supreme Court rulings are reshaping the limits of devolved law-making in Scotland and beyond, and what this means for parliamentary powers and cooperation. Read more on the #SocSciHub: tinyurl.com/yj4fz7my
Centre for Public policy new report condition power devolved law-making after the supreme court's s.28(7) rulings.
041
Reposted by Fergus McNeill
A Giant on the Bridge @agiantonthebridge.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
First day of rehearsals and we’re off.☺️ The A Giant on the Bridge team were back in the studio today, bringing the show to life ahead of our tour opening next week at Cottiers, Glasgow. #livemusic #gig #theatre #scotland
111