Share
The Social History of Crime and Punishment in America
An Encyclopedia
Five Volume Set
Edited by:
- Wilbur R. Miller - State University of New York at Stony Brook, USA
August 2012 | 2 712 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Several encyclopedias overview the contemporary system of criminal justice in America, but full understanding of current social problems and contemporary strategies to deal with them can come only with clear appreciation of the historical underpinnings of those problems. Thus, this five-volume work surveys the history and philosophy of crime, punishment, and criminal justice institutions in America from colonial times to the present. It covers the whole of the criminal justice system, from crimes, law enforcement and policing, to courts, corrections and human services. Among other things, this encyclopedia: explicates philosophical foundations underpinning our system of justice; charts changing patterns in criminal activity and subsequent effects on legal responses; identifies major periods in the development of our system of criminal justice; and explores in the first four volumes - supplemented by a fifth volume containing annotated primary documents - evolving debates and conflicts on how best to address issues of crime and punishment. Its signed entries in the first four volumes--supplemented by a fifth volume containing annotated primary documents--provide the historical context for students to better understand contemporary criminological debates and the contemporary shape of the U.S. system of law and justice.
"This excellent work will be valuable for a wide range of users for assignments or general interest in public and academic libraries."
Booklist
This addition to the crowded field of reference literature on crime is a notable improvement over similar titles...
A series of extended essays by period complemented by primary documents make this an excellent classroom resource.
