1. the study of punishment and the prison system, including theories of criminal justice and rehabilitation
Usage: academic discipline; also spelled poenology (archaic variant)

Examples

• She earned her degree in penology and now works as a prison reform advocate.
• Modern penology emphasizes rehabilitation over purely punitive measures.
• The professor's research in penology examines recidivism rates across different correctional systems.
• Penology has evolved significantly since the 19th century, reflecting changing attitudes toward criminal justice.
• Students in the penology program study both historical and contemporary approaches to incarceration.