Exceptional forms of coercive confinement: Pockets of punitiveness in the welfare state – an Introduction

This themed issue aims to ignite a new dialogue on Nordic penality, moving beyond the traditional benchmark of ‘exceptionalism’. We introduce the concept of ‘pockets of punitiveness’ within the context of Nordic coercive confinement. By examining these pockets within the welfare state, we highlight how certain penal practices, such as (voluntary) isolation, youth punishment and indeterminate sentencing, coexist with and emerge from broader humane policies, despite their painful nature. Such pockets, in other words, expose the inherent complexities and contradictions in Nordic penal philosophy. By showcasing the breadth of Nordic coercive confinement, we argue that these punitive pockets are not anomalies but essential to understanding the multifaceted nature of Nordic penality. This issue thereby offers a fresh conceptual vantage point, encouraging nuanced and empirically rich analyses of punishment practices in Nordic countries.