Mondays with WUWr #56
What’s new at the University of Wrocław Press?
In our series #MondayswithWUWr, we keep you up to date with the most important events, book news, and issues important to the Publishing House! We also encourage you to follow the wuwr.eu website and the Publishing House’s social media – Fb, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Follow us to be up to date!
New Release! Wykonywanie długoterminowych kar pozbawienia wolności by dr Aleksandra Polak-Kryszyk
Long-term custodial sentences constitute a key element of the state’s response to the most serious crimes. Such severe penalties reflect society’s expectations regarding justice and the safeguarding of public safety. In July 2022, a wide-ranging amendment to the Penal Code was passed in Poland, introducing new legal solutions such as prison terms ranging from 25 to 30 years, and life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. These changes present entirely new challenges for the prison service.
In practice, there is a growing consensus that the rehabilitation of individuals serving long sentences is extremely difficult, and such penalties often amount to little more than the isolation of offenders from society. However, the author of the monograph stresses that, despite increasing controversy, a complete departure from this form of punishment is not possible. What is needed, instead, is the continuous improvement of how these sentences are carried out. Many questions still remain about how to manage those serving exceptionally long terms, and the reality of prison life for such inmates remains largely unknown.
Drawing on her own research as well as insights from sociology and psychology, dr Aleksandra Polak-Kryszyk presents fifteen specific proposals aimed at developing the most effective model for managing those sentenced to long-term imprisonment.
The publication Wykonywanie długoterminowych kar pozbawienia wolności is primarily intended for professionals working in the field of penal theory and practice, prison staff, probation officers, and all those who work directly with individuals deprived of liberty. It may also serve as a valuable resource for academics, judges—particularly those specialising in penitentiary law—prosecutors, barristers, legal advisers, and students interested in the subject of long-term imprisonment.
You can purchase the book here.
100 lat więziennictwa w Polsce – Book Launch at Prison No. 1 in Wrocław!
Continuing with the theme of the Polish penal system, we warmly invite you to a book launch event for Od izolacji do resocjalizacji. 100 lat historii więziennictwa w niepodległej Polsce, in cooperation with the editors – dr Bartłomiej Perlak, prof. Jerzy Korczak, prof. Rafał Nowakowski, and prof. Grzegorz Strauchold—as well as the University of Wrocław Press, Prison No. 1 in Wrocław, the Regional Inspectorate of the Prison Service in Opole, and the Detention Centre in Świdnica.
The institution of prison and the punishment of deprivation of liberty have existed in societies since antiquity, but the way they are implemented has evolved significantly over the centuries. After Poland regained independence, its prison system underwent a comprehensive transformation.
On 7 and 8 February 1919, Józef Piłsudski, as Head of State, signed two decrees regulating the organisation of the prison service in the reborn Polish state. These decrees defined the responsibilities of the Prison Service, subjecting it to military discipline, and placed prison administration under the Ministry of Justice. Since then, Poland’s penal system has been repeatedly reformed in response to both political and social change, before and after the Second World War.
The book Od izolacji do resocjalizacji. 100 lat historii więziennictwa w niepodległej Polsce provides a detailed account of these developments. The authors analyse the evolution of legal regulations and the ideological shifts that have shaped the operation of prisons. The publication traces the shift from an initially dominant isolationist-repressive model to one increasingly focused on rehabilitation.
Combining historical, legal, and sociological perspectives, this work presents a comprehensive analysis of issues related to the implementation of custodial sentences in 20th-century Poland. The authors also explore the future of the Polish prison system, seeking a balance between punishment and rehabilitation.
During the event, the editors will not only discuss the contents of the book but also share insights into the history of the prison system in Lower Silesia.
We warmly invite you!
The event will take place on 29 May at 5:00 p.m. in the second-floor conference room at Prison No. 1 in Wrocław (ul. Kleczkowska 35).
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Let’s talk about positive education! Event around the book: Pedagogia pozytywna w edukacji przedszkolnej i wczesnoszkolnej
We also invite you to an inspiring event devoted to positive pedagogy in the education of young children! On 3 June 2025 at 4:30 p.m. at the Lower Silesian Pedagogical Library in Wrocław, a discussion will be held around the book Pedagogia pozytywna w edukacji przedszkolnej i wczesnoszkolnej edited by dr Marta Kondracka-Szala and Weronika Mazurek from the Institute of Pedagogy.
This publication offers a unique contribution to the ongoing discussion on contemporary directions in early childhood and primary education. Drawing on both educational theory and practice, the authors show how positive pedagogy – rooted in positive psychology – can have a real impact on children’s well-being, emotional and social development, and motivation to learn. The book consists of sixteen chapters, each dedicated to a key concept such as acceptance, gratitude, respect, passion, or creativity, and includes real-life stories from teachers and educators applying positive education principles in their everyday work.
What sets this book apart is not only its interdisciplinary approach but also its innovative editorial design – readers are free to choose the order in which they read each chapter, giving the content a personal context and significance. It is an excellent resource for researchers interested in both the empirical and theoretical aspects of education, especially those seeking new paradigms and practical solutions in working with children.
Unlike traditional approaches focused on discipline and correcting deficiencies, positive pedagogy emphasises strengthening students’ strengths, building relationships based on respect and trust, and creating an environment conducive to growth and self-fulfilment. The reflections and examples included in the book serve as a valuable source for scholars studying child well-being, the role of relationships in education, and the effectiveness of innovative teaching methods.
The meeting will be led by dr Urszula Tobolska, educator and expert in bibliotherapy. The event is aimed at scholars in pedagogy, psychology, and sociology, academic staff, doctoral students, students, as well as parents who wish to nurture their children’s strengths, and all those interested in modern trends in early childhood education.
Free admission – booking required for free entry tickets!
Fb event: Porozmawiajmy o pozytywnej edukacji! Spotkanie wokół książki „Pedagogia pozytywna” | Facebook
Book: Pedagogia pozytywna w edukacji przedszkolnej i wczesnoszkolnej | Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego
Date of publication: 26.05.2025
Added by: M.K.
