Prison on Trial (Criminal Policy)

Prison On Trial distills the arguments for and against imprisonment in a readable, accessible and authoritative way—making this highly acclaimed work a classic treatment for anyone seeking to understand and comprehend the real issues about locking away fellow human beings. Prison on Trial gains in relevance as prison populations continue to explode on both sides of the Atlantic and criminal policy degenerates into a glib 'tough on crime' agenda, knee jerk policy making, and, in some respects, a form of public entertainment. The author also argues for an 'Alternative Public Space' to be created that would allow a way to network for people who recognize incarceration is a more serious and a more complex social issue than politicians and the media would like to admit. In this third edition, the author expands his thoughts on the control aspects of imprisonment; the gear change in relation to international terrorism; the associated methods that followed September 11, the London bombings, and events in other parts of the world; and the re-setting of the boundaries of crime and punishment pointing to the consequent dangers and concerns for civil liberties and the rule of law.