Corrections; Practice and Policy

This lively, comprehensive text is an introduction to the field of corrections. It reviews the legal, philosophical, and ideological basis for the use of the criminal sanction. Special attention is given to (1) the historical development of current policy and constraints, (2) the treatment of racial and ethnic minorities, (3) the structure dynamics of correctional organizations, and (4) current empirical social science findings about the state of correctional practice. Twenty-two fictionalized case studies introduce each chapter, reflecting actual events, problems, and discussions occurring in correctional organizations. These cases also provide lead-ins to chapter themes, and show students the practitioners' point of view. Boxed inserts are used to provide additional coverage of important books, points of view, and programs.