The Penal System
An Introduction
- Michael Cavadino - University of Central Lancashire, UK
- James Dignan - formerly Professor of Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Leeds
- George Mair - Liverpool Hope University, UK
Now in its fifth edition, The Penal System: An Introduction remains the most complete, accessible and authoritative resource for your studies in Criminal Justice and Criminology. Fully revised and updated to account for recent changes in the Criminal Justice System, the new edition includes:
- Expanded material on restorative justice
- An expanded section on gender and the Criminal Justice System
- Greater coverage of comparative issues, focussing especially on Scotland
- An annually updated companion website, keeping you up-to-date with relevant legislation and crucial developments
- An accessible writing style balanced against a critical and scholarly approach
- A glossary of key terms that you'll encounter throughout your studies
- Continued critical coverage of the deepening penal crisis, including sections on the managerial crisis and the crisis of accountability
The Penal System consolidates and builds on the successful formula of the fourth edition, bringing the text in line with the key issues facing the Criminal Justice System today. It will prove essential reading across all undergraduate levels for modules on Criminal Justice and Prisons/Punishment.
Supplements
Free resources on the companion website:
- Recent developments for each chapter
- Links to information about key legislation and official reports
- A glossary of key terms
- Links to suggested websites
- Links to further reading in SAGE journals
- Lecture slides
- A seminar programme
From its original publication onwards, The Penal System has proved itself a sure and authoritative guide to the post-war history and character of the penal system of England and Wales. Unrivalled as a textbook on the subject, its authors, now strengthened by the addition of George Mair, combine the analysis of trends with a clear sense of narrative and an eye for the telling detail. It is a masterly achievement, invaluable for students and teachers alike.
David Downes
Professor Emeritus of Social Policy, The Mannheim Centre for Criminology and Criminal Justice, London School of Economics
I have read successive editions of The Penal System since I was an undergraduate. It has been an indispensible companion on my journey through the criminal justice system. Today it continues to be a vital resource for critically examining and understanding the use of punishment in England and Wales.
Dr. Jamie Bennett
Research Associate, Centre for Criminology, University of Oxford
The Penal System, written by three heavyweights of penological study, is an excellent introductory text for anyone interested in this area. It is intelligently written and explains complex issues in an accessible and engaging way. I will definitely be recommending this to my Penology Students.
Dr. Karen Harrison
Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Hull
While there is clearly a great deal of researched and developed expertisecontained in this book, it lacks experiential insights into the penal system whichmeans that some of the theories explored are untested. The book is, however, a positive contribution to undergraduate studies in terms of understanding the criminal justice system at a macro level; and it may represent a valuable resource to other authors and researchers. While I have outlined some of my reservations above I would, nonetheless recommend it as prerequisite reading for those wishing to further their theoretical understanding of the penal system.
This is one of two essential textbooks for my module 'Criminal Justice and the Penal System' and copies are available in the library ( 1 per 10 students) for the students taking this class.
This book gives wider reading in terms of penology. It is a one sided argument about the failings of the penal system, but this is highlighted from the start.
A good textbook with a contemporary approach and easy to read
Through revisions this text has remained a key text for an early understanding of the penal system with a good level of understanding of the development in recent years.
Course has now ended.
Text was used as a supplement in 2013
Course has now ended - it was used as a supplementary text in 2013
Essential reading of the crisis in our prison system.
The book offers some excellent areas of exploration for the students. Aiding the consolidation of their lecture learning.
- Expanded material on restorative justice
- An expanded section on gender and the Criminal Justice System
- Greater coverage of comparative issues, focussing especially on Scotland
- A new companion website with relevant legislation and crucial developments
