E-Books →A History of Prisons and Imprisonment

Embark on a captivating journey through the long and complex history of prisons and imprisonment with this comprehensive and thought-provoking book.
From ancient dungeons and medieval monastic confinement to the rise of the penitentiary and the explosion of mass incarceration, this book traces the evolution of punishment and the social, political, and economic forces that have shaped the prison system.
Inside, you'll discover:The origins of confinement and punishment in ancient civilizationsThe rise of the workhouse and its role in shaping early modern approaches to poverty and social controlThe Enlightenment ideals that gave birth to the penitentiary and the competing models of prison designThe dark history of transportation and penal coloniesThe American prison system, from Walnut Street to Auburn, and the debate over solitary confinementThe rise of the reformatory movement and the search for alternatives to incarcerationThe unique challenges faced by women, people of color, and other marginalized groups within the prison systemThe complex relationship between prisons and labor, from exploitation to rehabilitationThe rise of the supermax prison and the end of rehabilitationThe impact of the War on Drugs and the explosion of the prison populationThe ethical and legal controversies surrounding the death penalty and the privatization of prisonsThe promise of restorative justice and the movement for prison abolitionThis book is a must-read for anyone interested in:Criminal justiceSocial justiceHistorySociologyLawPolitical scienceHuman rights