American Corrections

In this introductory text, Clear and Cole offer the idea of the correctional system in order to promote and enhance understanding of the complexity and variety of corrections. The concept of corrections as a TTsystemTT of interconnected organizations is a theme carried throughout the book. Clear and Cole describe the correctional system as being comprised of a composite of large and small organizations that is administered by various levels of government (national, state, county, local), seeking to satisfy complex and sometimes competing goals through the efforts of professional and nonprofessional employees who are put into contact with another and in direct authority over offenders. The authors consistently include the contributions of several disciplines (such as history, law, psychology, political science, and sociology) in a clear and straightforward manner.