Understanding Justice: An Introduction to Ideas, Perspectives and Controversies in Modern Penal Theory (Crime and Justice Series) [Paperback]

Barbara A. Hudson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1996 | Series: Crime and Justice Series

"Understanding justice" is one of a series of student textbooks designed to cover the major areas of debate within the fields of criminology, criminal justice and penology. It provides a comprehensive account of the ideas and controversies that have arisen within law, philosophy, sociology and criminology about the punishment of criminals. Written in a clear, accessible style, it summarises major philosophical ideas - retribution, rehabilitations, incapacitation - and discusses their strengths and weaknesses. The sociological perspectives of Durkheim, the Marxists, Foucault and their contemporary followers are analyzed and assessed. A section on the criminological perspective on punishment looks at the influence of theory on penal policy, and at the impact of penal ideologies on those on whom punishment is inflicted. The contributions of feminist theorists, and the challenges that pose to masculinist accounts of punishment, are included. The concluding chapter presents critiques of the very idea of punishment, and looks at contemporary proposals which could make society's response to crime less dependent on punishment than at present.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Those who read this excellent book will have a firm foundation on which to debate the subject of punishment and formulate theirown views." - The Criminologist "It is the author's ability to build bridges between different theories, and between theories and their practical implications, that makes the book readable, stimulating and relevant for practitioners, academics andstudents alike, and ensures that it will be frequently used for many years by a wide range of readers." - British Journal of Social Work

About the Author

Barbara Hudson is Professor at the Lancashire Law School, University of Central Lancashire. She teaches penology on courses in law and criminology, and has researched and written extensively on criminal justice topics. Previously published works include Justice through Punishment: a Critique of the 'Justice' Model of Corrections (1987), Penal Policy and Social Justice (1993), and Racism and Criminology (1993, edited with Dee Cook). --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 178 pages
• Publisher: Open Univ Pr (July 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0335193293
• ISBN-13: 978-0335193295
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,091,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Sufficient textbook about Modern Penal theory, July 18, 2011

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This review is from: Understanding Justice: An introduction to Ideas, Perspectives and Controversies in Modern Penal Therory (Crime and Justice) (Paperback)

I used this book for course titled "Corrections and Society."

- The book gives you an explanation and look into some of the history of a topic before going into some of the current issues. I think it does a good job giving you what you need to know about precedents and origins.

- Although several parts were interesting, I found myself engulfed into too much information at certain parts of the book.

Bottom line: This is a sufficient book for a course about corrections systems. A thorough look into theories and issues in the prison systems and penal theory.