Abstract

The project of interpreting contemporary forms of punishment means exploring the social, political, economic, and historical conditions in the society in which those forms arise. The SAGE Handbook of Punishment and Society draws together this disparate and expansive field of punishment and society into one compelling new volume.

Headed by two of the leading scholars in the field, Jonathan Simon and Richard Sparks have crafted a comprehensive and definitive resource that illuminates some of the key themes in this complex area - from historical and prospective issues to penal trends and related contributions through theory, literature and philosophy. Incorporating a stellar and international line-up of contributors the book addresses issues such as: capital punishment, the civilising process, gender, diversity, inequality, power, human rights and neoliberalism.

This engaging, vibrantly written collection will be captivating reading for academics and researchers in criminology, penology, criminal justice, sociology, cultural studies, philosophy and politics.

 

'Simon and Sparks have brought together an eclectic array of notable scholars to explore the role of punishment in society. With a central concern on the prison as an institution of power and social control, the Handbook urges us to regard punishment, not as a correctional endeavour targeting deviant individuals, but in terms of its effects on the broader population and on governance. The Editors - who have themselves done much to shape the field - have succeeded in producing a volume written in a clear, erudite, yet pacey style throughout. The SAGE Handbook of Punishment and Society is hugely impressive in its range and sophistication and is a very welcome addition to the field'
Yvonne Jewkes
'This is [an] engaging, well written book which will be useful to academics, policy makers, practitioners and those with a general interest in punishment and society. I don't think that it is an exaggeration to describe it as a 'bible' of punishment and society in that it collates and analyses past and present research, but also looks towards the future. In short, and in answering the initial necessity question, is this handbook needed, the answer is resoundingly yes'


Dr Karen Harrison

 

'Three virtues set this collection apart from the usual handbook enterprise. The first is the broad range of topics and settings covered by the volume. The second is the international all-star cast of authors who contribute substantial essays. The third is the concluding section of the handbook that pushes beyond the conventional boundaries of penality in important and interesting ways. Simon and Sparks have assembled an indispensable tool for serious study of punishment and society'
Franklin E. Zimring