Prisons in the United States: A Reference Handbook

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Crimes & Criminals, Criminology
Cover of the book Prisons in the United States: A Reference Handbook by Cyndi Banks, ABC-CLIO
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Cyndi Banks ISBN: 9781440844386
Publisher: ABC-CLIO Publication: March 27, 2017
Imprint: ABC-CLIO Language: English
Author: Cyndi Banks
ISBN: 9781440844386
Publisher: ABC-CLIO
Publication: March 27, 2017
Imprint: ABC-CLIO
Language: English

Prisons were initially created as a means of reforming offenders, but over time, the objective of rehabilitation gave way to a strategy of mass imprisonment—a system that has resulted in correctional facilities dealing with serious problems such as overcrowding, prison gangs, pervasive violence, and a significant incidence of mental illness among inmates. Prisons in the United States: A Reference Handbook examines the history of corrections in America, detailing how well-intentioned policies intended to "get tough on crime" sanctioned the dismantling of parole systems and resulted in laws that imposed mandatory minimum sentences. These changes contributed to the United States now having the biggest incarcerated population worldwide and the highest rate of incarceration.

The book offers an accessible history of the development of the prison system in the United States and analyzes the various problems and controversies associated with prisons in the present day. The coverage includes key related issues, including those of race and gender, and enables readers to understand how past developments continue to affect public and official perceptions of the prison experience—for example, how the practice of keeping inmates in solitary confinement for lengthy periods has been reinvented and represents a return to a historically discredited practice. Accounts of former inmates and of correctional officers are integrated into the text, adding context and offering rarely heard perspectives on difficult issues affecting prisons.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Prisons were initially created as a means of reforming offenders, but over time, the objective of rehabilitation gave way to a strategy of mass imprisonment—a system that has resulted in correctional facilities dealing with serious problems such as overcrowding, prison gangs, pervasive violence, and a significant incidence of mental illness among inmates. Prisons in the United States: A Reference Handbook examines the history of corrections in America, detailing how well-intentioned policies intended to "get tough on crime" sanctioned the dismantling of parole systems and resulted in laws that imposed mandatory minimum sentences. These changes contributed to the United States now having the biggest incarcerated population worldwide and the highest rate of incarceration.

The book offers an accessible history of the development of the prison system in the United States and analyzes the various problems and controversies associated with prisons in the present day. The coverage includes key related issues, including those of race and gender, and enables readers to understand how past developments continue to affect public and official perceptions of the prison experience—for example, how the practice of keeping inmates in solitary confinement for lengthy periods has been reinvented and represents a return to a historically discredited practice. Accounts of former inmates and of correctional officers are integrated into the text, adding context and offering rarely heard perspectives on difficult issues affecting prisons.

More books from ABC-CLIO

Cover of the book An Unprecedented Election: Media, Communication, and the Electorate in the 2016 Campaign by Cyndi Banks
Cover of the book Persian Gulf War Encyclopedia: A Political, Social, and Military History by Cyndi Banks
Cover of the book Campus Sexual Assault: A Reference Handbook by Cyndi Banks
Cover of the book Spiro Agnew and the Rise of the Republican Right by Cyndi Banks
Cover of the book Sharp Knife: Andrew Jackson and the American Indians by Cyndi Banks
Cover of the book Gender Ambiguity in the Workplace: Transgender and Gender-Diverse Discrimination by Cyndi Banks
Cover of the book Intelligence and Government in Britain and the United States: A Comparative Perspective [2 volumes] by Cyndi Banks
Cover of the book Transmedia Storytelling: The Librarian's Guide by Cyndi Banks
Cover of the book The Prescription Drug Abuse Epidemic: Incidence, Treatment, Prevention, and Policy by Cyndi Banks
Cover of the book Weapons of Mass Destruction: The Essential Reference Guide by Cyndi Banks
Cover of the book The Electric Battery: Charging Forward to a Low-Carbon Future by Cyndi Banks
Cover of the book Distracted: Staying Connected without Losing Focus by Cyndi Banks
Cover of the book The Boston Tea Party: The Foundations of Revolution by Cyndi Banks
Cover of the book Teaching Internet Basics: The Can-Do Guide by Cyndi Banks
Cover of the book The Dysfunctional Politics of the Affordable Care Act by Cyndi Banks
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy