Imprisonment worldwide: The Current Situation and an Alternative Future - Softcover

"In this timely book, the authors outline a moral framework stating clearly and succinctly what needs to be done. Sustainable justice requires less emphasis on imprisonment and more on human and social development." Alison Liebling, Cambridge University "Imagine a world with more and more prisons. Imagine failing prisons, brutal and broken prisons. This is the world of Coyle and Co's book. It shouldn't be an easy read, but it is eminently readable. It asks urgent questions about the ethics of imprisonment that challenge us imagine something else, something better." Rod Earle, The Open University "The welcome publication of this excellent and thought provoking book will inform governments and parliaments worldwide about the limited role of imprisonment." Lord David Ramsbotham, Member of the UK House of Lords and former Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales "At a time when we are expecting significant change to public services including the criminal justice system, this vital tool for practitioners, academics and students provides a source of inspiration and a substantial body of evidence from around the world." Frances Crook, CEO, The Howard League for Penal Reform "Comprehensive, concise, ethically informed, and attuned to future possibilities-A must read for penologists the world over." Robert Johnson, Professor of Justice, Law and Criminology, American University "A lovely little book. A great resource for anyone who wants the key information on imprisonment around the world." Richard Garside, Director, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies "This volume raises provocative questions about prisons and the imprisoned" - CHOICE review

How many people are imprisoned across the globe ? What factors can help explain variations in the use of imprisonment in different countries ? What ethical considerations should apply to the way imprisonment is used ? Providing a comprehensive account of prison populations worldwide, this new work links prison statistics from the last 15 years with considerations of how prisons and prison populations are managed. With commentary from its well-known, respected authors on what is an ethical approach to the use of imprisonment, and how this can be sustained in ever more challenging social, economic and political environments, this book is a major contribution to the knowledge of those currently debating prisons and the use of imprisonment, whether from academic, policy, practitioner, activist or lay perspectives. Its accessible, informative infographics also make it an engaging read and a valuable teaching resource for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in criminology, law, political science and public policy.