Fergus E McNeill

Professor Fergus McNeill is a distinguished academic in Criminology and Social Work at the University of Glasgow, affiliated with the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR) and the Sociology unit. His career spans over two decades, transitioning from frontline work in residential drug rehabilitation and criminal justice social work to leading interdisciplinary research on punishment, rehabilitation, and desistance.

His research interests focus on

• Institutions, cultures and practices of punishment, rehabilitation and reintegration
• Sentencing and sanctions
• Imprisonment, Parole, and Probation
• Youth Justice
• Desistance from crime

Recent publications highlight his work on mass supervision, generative justice, and creative reintegration through projects like Distant Voices: Coming Home. He critiques penal systems in the UK and Europe, emphasizing relational and narrative approaches to justice. His 2025 articles explore probation development, parole reform, and the role of storytelling in criminal justice.