An Introduction to Criminal Justice

This is a splendid introduction to criminal justice in England and Wales, with substantial but accessible chapters written by many of the leading authors in their fields.  Never ducking important critical questions of injustice, power and inequality, the book takes seriously the wide range of issues and influences shaping the context of contemporary criminal justice while containing many extra features, including a website containing a diverse array of additional materials, to support students’ learning and really whet their appetites for further enquiry.

This is an excellent text for students studying introductory criminal justice modules. It provides a comprehensive and interesting set of chapters written by leading experts in the field. The coverage of the topic is diverse, well written and up to date. A very useful book as a reference guide and module resource.

This introductory text for students is refreshing in its outlook, with a mixture of up and coming scholars as well as established authors as contributors, time-lines to show rapid developments over the past thirty years in particular, and a unique combination of critical reflections on legal, policy, practice and theoretical developments, with case studies, annotated reading suggestions, discussion points and exercises to guide readers. Key developments are described in their socio-political context, all of which adds to a book which is compelling in scope and persuasive in argument.

To write an introduction to criminal justice which is coherent and accessible while recognising the complexity and sheer messiness of its subject-matter is a considerable challenge, to which the editors and contributors have risen admirably. The 23 chapters build up a rich picture of a diverse set of practices and their recent history and help the reader to situate current developments and controversies in a wider context.