The Penal System
An Introduction
- Michael Cavadino - University of Central Lancashire, UK
- James Dignan - formerly Professor of Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Leeds
- George Mair - Liverpool Hope University, UK
- Jamie Bennett - Youth Justice Board, UK
Now in its Sixth Edition, this remains the most comprehensive and authoritative book on the penal system, providing students with an incisive, critical account of the punitive, managerial and humanitarian approaches to criminal justice.
Fully updated to cover the most recent changes in the Criminal Justice System, the new edition:
- Outlines contemporary policy debates on sentencing, staffing, youth custody and overcrowding.
- Explores growing inequalities in the criminal justice system including issues of race, religion, gender and sexuality, with new content on faith, and transgender prisoners.
- Considers the impact of privatisation on the probation service.
- Discusses the most recent debates around the parole process, including high-profile cases and attempts at reform.
The book is supported by online resources for lecturers and students, including chapter PowerPoints, sample syllabus, summaries of key legislative acts and bills, official reports, a list of recommended further reading for each chapter, and links to important Penal Agencies and Organisations, Law Reform Organisations, and other useful academic sites.
Essential reading for students of criminal justice and criminology, studying penology, punishments and the penal system.
Supplements
Instructor Resources (Log-in needed)
- A Sample Syllabus to help lecturers devise a course plan according to the book’s content
- PowerPoint lecture slides to be utilised as guidelines for course presentations and adapted as needed for the module’s necessities
Student Resources (Free to use)
- Weblinks to Penal Agencies and Organisations; Penal Reform Organisations; Law Reform Organisations and Reviews, and other useful academic sites.
- Annotated further reading for each chapter
- Updated summaries of key legislation, White Papers, consultation documents and other official reports
A welcome update to a seminal text highlighting the continuing challenges and pressures of the contemporary criminal justice system. An important text for students, scholars and practitioners alike, and an essential reference point for policy makers. The book outlines the historical, sociological and political background to this “crisis” and offers some suggestions and best practice to achieve a just and humane penal system for the future. A must read for anyone interested in this often controversial area.
The Penal System comprehensively addresses one of the core facets of Criminology: How does society deal with those who break the law? The new edition reinvigorates the conversation about how we construct, utilise, and implement processes of punishment and social control. It is a must read for students, academics, and the wider public.
This sixth edition of The Penal System continues the tradition of incisive analysis of the state of the nation in relation to the penal system. This is a well-crafted book which gives an excellent overview of the key challenges and directions in the contemporary English and Welsh penal system. In particular, the authors offer clear attempts to locate the crux of the problems in sentencing system, and they address key issues of how to solve the various crises of conditions in the prison system, community-based sentences, and provision for young people in conflict with the law through the youth justice system. The book also addresses the various crises of conditions, control and authority, accountability and legitimacy. This is a must read for those who wish to better understand and appreciate the complexities, the principles and practices of the penal system. Students and policy-makers alike will benefit from this extremely well-informed and insightful explanation of penal affairs.
This is a fantastic resource. Easy to access information and covering a wide variety of issues related to prisons and penal system.
Good book for providing students with a book that outlines the system, but also challenges the students to think critically about the issues involved.
Not that relevant to Scottish context
Good comprehensive and easy to understand book for 1st year students in particular.
We have used this book (in its successive editions) for many years now. It is an excellent resource for undergraduate students and this latest addition is by far the best yet!
Clear and concise, but critical reading for undergraduate students. Contains helpfully updated material
Key text which provides critical overview of criminal justice issues. Really pleased to have this new edition.
