Joana FALXA is an Associate Professor of Private Law and Criminal Sciences at the University of Pau and the Adour Countries. She leads the Certificate in Criminal Sciences and co-directs the Master’s program in Criminal Law and Criminal Sciences, specializing in Policing and Internal Security. Her research focuses on the evolution of prison law and sentencing, and she is currently involved in multiple international research projects on various topics related to criminal law and sentencing. Her primary research interests include prison law (both domestic and comparative) and sexual offenses (from comparative legal and criminological perspectives).
Publications
- "Towards the Dereferencing of Imprisonment? From Crossroads to Dead Ends," with A. PONSEILLE, Special Issue: 30 Years of the Penal Code, Lexbase Pénal, No. 69, March 2024.
- "The Right to Dignity of Incarcerated Patients: At the Crossroads," in B. PY, C. BRICOT (Eds.), Hospital-Prison Relations, LEH Editions, 2023.
- "The Place of Prisoners' Rights in the French Penal Code," in C. TZUTZUIANO, C. MAILLAFET (Eds.), The Entry into Force of the Penal Code, PUAM, 2023.
- "The Principle of Proportionality of Sentences in the Charter of Fundamental Rights: A Study of an Elusive Principle," European Union Review, 2023, pp. 529-536.
- "Body Searches in French Prisons: Dignity and Security on a Roller Coaster," in T. DAEMS (Ed.), Body Searches and Imprisonment, Palgrave Macmillan, 2023, pp. 153-175.
Research Projects
- 2023-2025: Lead researcher of the DISEX project on comparative criminal law in the field of sexual offenses, in collaboration with researchers from UNITA network partner universities and other international institutions.
- 2023-2025: Member of the scientific committee for the Action Research project Criminological Assessment Grids, conducted by the Fédération Citoyens & Justice, supporting best practices for socio-judicial professionals.
- 2020-2023: Participant in a collaborative research project on the role of external citizens in disciplinary committees within correctional facilities (Mission Droit et Justice), under the direction of Muriel GIACOPPELLI and Jean-Paul CÉRÉ.
