Fifty Year Stretch: Prisons and Imprisonment 1980-2030 - Hardcover

'A masterly account of prison, drawing from his own wealth of experience and reflections, which provides a challenging read for the layman and prison practitioners alike': Terry Nowell, Internet Law Book Reviews. 'A lively and readable introduction to prison policy past, present and future. A personal perspective which will challenge and provoke': Dr. Nick Flynn, De Montfort University. 'What we particularly liked about "Fifty Year Stretch" is its construction as a well-informed short history of prisons policy following the 'prison works' objective which may well be re-assessed in the coming years... the question which remains to be answered is does prison work? Stephen Shaw's book certainly does!': Phillip Taylor MBE and Elizabeth Taylor of Richmond Green Chambers. 'A very useful, accessible and comprehensive text written by a leading authority on prisons': Helen Arnold, University Campus Suffolk.

Shaw deals with key events, issues and developments and the book will be invaluable to anyone wishing to cut through the mass of fine detail and data which can be found in other works in favour of a direct, authoritative and well-informed short history. Novel, original and highly accessible, this book makes it altogether easier to understand penal affairs. Touching on the key events which continue to shape penal policy in England and Wales, it looks at 'seismic shifts' since 1980, points to 'a new democratic mood' and anticipates how things might shape up in coming decades. A remarkable account which goes to the heart of penal policy in England and Wales. Refreshing and insightful, this work will prove to be invaluable to practitioners, students, researchers and those wishing to understand 'the new democratic mood', its relationship to crime and punishment and where it is leading.