ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the conclusions of the study. They are presented around three areas. First, the influence of neoliberalism on penality is discussed, suggesting that, in the Spanish case, it can be stated that such an influence exists. To this end, some common trends in the transformation of the institutions analysed throughout the book are highlighted. Second, we reflect on what can be learned about neoliberalism in general from the Spanish case. It is noted that it may be pertinent to pay more attention to institutional reconfigurations, which seem to concentrate on periods of crisis. Also, the challenge of studying neoliberalism in countries that did not develop a welfare state is considered. Third, the theoretical framework used is discussed, qualifying the first formulations of the neoliberal penality thesis and advocating for the convenience of a larger number of case studies with a historical and relational methodology. The book concludes by defending the usefulness of treating punishment as a complex social institution to better understand its functioning and evolution.
