Policy, Punishment, and Society

Policy, Punishment, and Society provides students with an overview of the laws and policies that govern the U.S. criminal justice system, as well as how they influence approaches to crime and perspectives on punishment within our society.

The text is divided into four distinct parts. Part One focuses on correctional trends, policies, and practices with chapters that discuss the goals and intentions of punishment; the ways in which law, crime, and society intersect; and how sensationalized cases and controversies can influence correctional policies and practices. In Part Two, students learn about policy development as it relates to sexual offenders, juvenile offenders, domestic violence, and rape cases.

Part Three features discussion of marijuana legalization and criminalization, capital punishment, mass incarceration, and the policy, scope, and nature of justifiable crimes. The final part provides readers with engaging and informative interviews between the author and formerly incarcerated individuals. The case studies detail experiences related to re-entry into society, including community supervision, establishing a home plan, and challenges related to public perception.

Concise, informative, and approachable, Policy, Punishment, and Society is an ideal resource for courses and programs in criminal justice and corrections.