Sophie Martens is a PhD candidate at the Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology.

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Sophie Martens is a PhD candidate at the Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology.

Sophie completed a bachelor’s in social sciences at University College Utrecht (summa cum laude), and a master’s in Criminological Research (with distinction) at the University of Cambridge. Her theses focused on victimization and feelings of (un)safety among prisoners in several countries. During her studies, she was an intern and research assistant at the Life in Custody Study, where she now conducts her PhD research.

The Life in Custody Study is a project which the Institute for Criminal Law and Criminology carries out for the Dutch Custodial Institutions Agency (part of the Ministry of Security and Justice). This survey research aims to improve our understanding of staff and prisoner perceptions and experiences of prison life, as well as the effects (during and after imprisonment) of differences in experiences of prison life. Sophie’s research specifically focuses on feelings of safety among both prisoners and prison staff, staff-prisoner relationships, and victimization and misconduct.