Pembroke, S.
Foucault and Industrial Schools in Ireland: Subtly Disciplining or Dominating through Brutality?
(2018) Sociology, . Article in Press.
Abstract
Industrial Schools run by Catholic Religious Orders in Ireland were a form of institutionalised child-welfare that incarcerated children in need for most of the 20th century. During the last decade, Industrial Schools were one of the most controversial elements of Ireland’s recent history; the abuse scandal associated with such places has led to a state apology, the setting up of an inquiry and redress process, with its final report (the Ryan Report), published in 2009. Although a fast growing literature exists on Industrial Schools, they do not analyse the precise nature of the regime inside these institutions. This article contributes to understandings of Foucault by looking at the regime and practices imposed on children incarcerated in Industrial Schools in Ireland in the 20th century, and exploring why they were used. Twenty-five interviews were conducted with male and female Industrial School survivors and analysed using a grounded theory approach. © 2018, The Author(s) 2018.
Author Keywords
Catholic Church; child abuse; Foucault; Industrial Schools; institutionalisation; Ireland
