Punishment and Society

Punishment and Society features a distinct focus on the societal impact of incarceration, rather than the institutions of prison and jail. The anthology provides students with diverse perspectives regarding imprisonment from those who are experiencing and directly affected by incarceration. Readers learn about the widespread impact of punishment and incarceration not only from those who are imprisoned, but from the people they know and the communities to which they belong on the outside.

The collection includes 13 readings that examine the nuances of incarceration, including its intersection with race and gender, the financial and emotional impact on families and children, and the impact on communities most affected by mass incarceration. The readings identify incarceration as a form of social control and underscore the dire consequences of the system on individuals, families, and communities. Following each reading, discussion questions inspire critical thinking about the broader context of how incarceration and punishment influence society.

Written to challenge students to rethink what it means to punish people in society and consider its holistic ramifications, Punishment and Society is an ideal primary or supplementary resource for courses in criminal justice.