Prisons in America: A Reference Handbook

by Nicole Hahn Rafter, Debra Stanley

Overview

A handy source for basic statistics on prisoners, penal trends, and programs and services in America's prisons.

Prisons in America covers such important subjects as punishment in the United States since colonial times; the most critical penal problems today; units for special populations; key penologists, and more. This work is a source for basic statistics on prisoners, penal trends, programs, services, and more. Listings of professional organizations and print and nonprint resources are also included.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781576071021
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/04/1999
Series:	Contemporary World Issues
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	242
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

Nicole Hahn Rafter is a professional writer and chair of the Division on Women and Crime of the American Society of Criminology. She is also chair of the Crime, Law, and Deviance section of the American Sociological Association.

Debra L. Stanley is assistant professor at Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT.

Editorial Reviews

…a conscise reference, gathering information currently spread out through numerous standard references and other books on the subject … this volume will be of interest to readers who are unfamiliar with prison literature or who want an overview of the subject.” —Library Jourbanal

“…a concise and useful starting point for research on this timely topic … Rafter and Stanley have done a creditable job packaging a mountain of information into a clear, well written introduction to the topic geared toward the high school and undergraduate researcher.” —American Reference Books Annual

“This well organized reference book presents a skillful overview of American prisons and change.” —Newsletter of the Division on Women and Crime

From the Publisher

Rafter (chair of the Crime, Law and Deviance Section of the American Sociological Assn.) and Stanley (Central Connecticut State Univ.) have compiled this volume as part of the "Contemporary World Issues" series. As such, it is a concise reference, gathering information currently spread out through numerous standard references and other books on the subject. Since it repeats so much information, the bulk of the volume will appear old hat to many users. However, there are some highlights. The first chapter, "History of American Prisons," is followed by an apparently original section titled "Issues and Controversies" that discusses pertinent issues like prisoners' rights, equality for women prisoners, prison violence, and healthcare. The remainder of the volume includes a chronology of major events in U.S. prison history, bibliographic sketches, and an extensive list of sources. While it will probably not be useful for extensive criminal justice collections, this volume will be of interest to readers who are unfamiliar with prison literature or who want an overview of the subject.--Frances O. Sandiford, Green Haven Correction Facility Lib., Stormville, NY Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

Provides concise coverage of many facets of American prisons, including a history of relevant principles and social movements driving prison development and reform; issues and controversies; a chronology from 1764; biographical sketches of 23 activists and administrators; and documents and statistics. Also lists relevant agencies and organizations and print and nonprint resources. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews