THE PRISON SYSTEM

by Roger Smith

The subject of justice for juveniles is not only a major issue for incarcerated teens and their families but also for society at large. This book explores the juvenile justice system from the home and neighborhood environments that often produce troubled teens to juvenile courts, detention facilities, and efforts at education and rehabilitation. Learn about the varieties of detention arrangements—such as shelters, group homes, and foster homes—and see what daily life in a juvenile detention facility is like. Juveniles Growing Up in Prison raises the hard but important questions: Are teen delinquents criminals, victims, or both? Should the goal be to punish or rehabilitate? This book offers perspectives on these and other difficult issues, considering both statistics and life stories. Juveniles Growing Up in Prison is valuable reading for all concerned with juvenile crime, detention, and the future of troubled young people’s lives. PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Each title in this series contains a foreword from the Associate Dean of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, color photos throughout, charts, and back matter that includes an index and further resource lists of books and Internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series, encouraging library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content-rich nonfiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers can reference back to the definitions—building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader’s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. Educational Videos provide links via QR codes to online video content that gives a multimedia dimension to the topics. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader’s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

by Roger Smith

As you read this, thousands of men, women, and even children are being held in prisons around the world, not because they have committed violence, theft, or broken drug laws, but because they spoke against their governments. They are political prisoners; in some cases, they did not even intend to cross their nations’ leaders—they just happened to get in the way of schemes of which they were not even aware. This book tells the stories of political prisoners, both past and present. Some of them have become leaders in their countries, like Nelson Mandela and Vaclav Havel. Some have “disappeared” and may no longer be alive, like the sixteen-year-old Panchen Lama. Many of these political prisoners are people of tremendous courage and inner strength, like Wei Jingsheng, the Chinese human rights activist. Political Prisoners tells the true and inspiring accounts of these people that every informed citizen of our world should know. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Each title in this series contains a foreword from the Associate Dean of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, color photos throughout, charts, and back matter that includes an index and further resource lists of books and Internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series, encouraging library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content-rich nonfiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers can reference back to the definitions—building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader’s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. Educational Videos provide links via QR codes to online video content that gives a multimedia dimension to the topics. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader’s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

by Craig Russell

The United States has almost three times as many prisoners as it did just twenty-five years ago. Although the cost of keeping people in prison is rising, there are less expensive alternatives that may also be more effective at keeping people from returning to jail after they are released. Recent changes in the U.S. criminal code allow judges more freedom to give sentences other than prison. Of the almost seven million convicted criminals in the U.S., only about two million of them are behind bars. The rest—nearly five million—are serving alternative sentences. This book explores the various prison alternatives from rehabilitation and community service, to boot camps, day reporting, and house arrest. Prison Alternatives and Rehabilitation provides a comprehensive look at the advantages and disadvantages of nontraditional punishments and what the future may hold for alternatives to prison. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Each title in this series contains a foreword from the Associate Dean of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, color photos throughout, charts, and back matter that includes an index and further resource lists of books and Internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series, encouraging library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content-rich nonfiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers can reference back to the definitions—building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader’s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. Educational Videos provide links via QR codes to online video content that gives a multimedia dimension to the topics. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader’s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

by Craig Russell

Prison conditions are very different in different parts of the world. Consider Sweden, for example, at one end of the spectrum. In a wing of Sweden’s top-security prison, red drapes hang from the ceiling while small candles burn on an altar and men kneel in prayer; prisoners have the opportunity to apply to spend some of their sentence in religious meditation. Similarly, in Denmark, the guards at Jyderup State Prison don’t wear uniform and don’t even carry guns. And then, there’s Congo where the prisons are so horrific that the New York Times observed, “If there is a worse place on earth than a Congolese prison, stay well away.” Prison Conditions Around the World describes prison conditions in countries on every continent. The stark contrasts are as dramatic as they are instructional. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Each title in this series contains a foreword from the Associate Dean of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, color photos throughout, charts, and back matter that includes an index and further resource lists of books and Internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series, encouraging library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content-rich nonfiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers can reference back to the definitions—building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader’s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. Educational Videos provide links via QR codes to online video content that gives a multimedia dimension to the topics. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader’s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

by Roger Smith

How should society treat people who break the law? Since the beginning of time, societies have struggled with this question. The History of Punishment and Imprisonment reviews early forms of punishment from horrific executions and torture in medieval times to the creation of the world’s first penitentiaries in the 19th century. In America today, we punish most criminals with imprisonment. The United States has a long history of efforts to not just imprison but also to rehabilitate or modify the behavior of offenders through a variety of treatment programs. The late 20th century saw a turn from rehabilitation to mass incarceration with mandatory sentencing and the construction of many more prisons. Recently, though, the pendulum has started to swing back and people are asking again whether it’s enough to punish prisoners or should the system strive to make convicts productive law-abiding members of society once they are released. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Each title in this series contains a foreword from the Associate Dean of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, color photos throughout, charts, and back matter that includes an index and further resource lists of books and Internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series, encouraging library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content-rich nonfiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers can reference back to the definitions—building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader’s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. Educational Videos provide links via QR codes to online video content that gives a multimedia dimension to the topics. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader’s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

by Roger Smith

We have all seen the many television dramas and movies about criminals and prisons, but the real world of incarcerations remains hidden from most people’s experience. This book explores the realities of overcrowding, disease, violence, and abuse in prison institutions. It considers multiple perspectives from social scientists, victims, and prison workers to the prisoners themselves. This look behind the bars of North America’s incarceration facilities is often disturbing, but the issues are well-documented and thought provoking. The Treatment of Prisoners and Prison Conditions shows the tough realities, offering a balanced view on some of the most vital issues confronting society today and some of the solutions that have been proposed to address them. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Each title in this series contains a foreword from the Associate Dean of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, color photos throughout, charts, and back matter that includes an index and further resource lists of books and Internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series, encouraging library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content-rich nonfiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers can reference back to the definitions—building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader’s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. Educational Videos provide links via QR codes to online video content that gives a multimedia dimension to the topics. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader’s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

by Autumn Libal

Everyone has a stake in the functioning and effectiveness of the prison system—even if you’ve never committed a crime or been the victim of one. The prison system is an integral part of how society functions—punishing criminals, rehabilitating inmates, and protecting the public. The United States leads the world in incarceration with the largest number of its citizens behind bars. The hugeness of the U.S. prison system raises important issues we all need to consider. This book explores the complex social, economic, and moral costs that inevitably attend a system of mass-imprisonment. The True Costs of Prison teaches readers not only about the prisoners but also the families and communities they leave behind and to which most will return after serving their sentences. Keeping the public safe from criminals is more complicated than simply locking them up. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Each title in this series contains a foreword from the Associate Dean of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, color photos throughout, charts, and back matter that includes an index and further resource lists of books and Internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series, encouraging library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content-rich nonfiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers can reference back to the definitions—building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader’s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. Educational Videos provide links via QR codes to online video content that gives a multimedia dimension to the topics. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader’s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

by David Hunter

Unlike in the movies, the pursuit of justice has real consequences for real people. Sometimes the wrong people are arrested while criminals go free. In court trials, the innocent are sometimes wrongfully convicted or held responsible for a crime they didn’t commit. Other times, people who actually are guilty of a crime are released or found not guilty. Some convicts may receive far more severe punishments than others who committed the same crime. All of these are examples of inequities in the justice system. Unequal Justice is a comprehensive look at how the legal system can go wrong. And that unfair treatment often has roots in attitudes toward poverty, education, and race. Officials sworn to enforce the law, deliver justice, and carry out rehabilitation—such as police officers, lawyers and judges, and correctional officers— are all too human. They can bring to their roles the same prejudices as any of us. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Each title in this series contains a foreword from the Associate Dean of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, color photos throughout, charts, and back matter that includes an index and further resource lists of books and Internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series, encouraging library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content-rich nonfiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers can reference back to the definitions—building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader’s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. Educational Videos provide links via QR codes to online video content that gives a multimedia dimension to the topics. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader’s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

by Joan Esherick

According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, over one million women—nearly 1 percent of the U.S. population—live under some form of correctional supervision in the United States. Drug related offenses, robbery, and violent crimes are the most common reasons U.S. women end up in jail, accounting for more than 80 percent of all female inmates. Whatever the reasons they end up there, the reality is that thousands of women live behind bars. Women Incarcerated explores the key issues of women behind bars. See what daily prison life is like for women inmates, and what happens when women’s prisons are too full. Learn how pregnant women are treated within the system and what happens to the children of incarcerated mothers. Discussion includes women whose crimes resulted from coercion, assault, or sexual abuse, as well as women whose crimes are related to mental health issues or substance abuse. PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Each title in this series contains a foreword from the Associate Dean of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, color photos throughout, charts, and back matter that includes an index and further resource lists of books and Internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series, encouraging library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content-rich nonfiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers can reference back to the definitions—building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader’s comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. Educational Videos provide links via QR codes to online video content that gives a multimedia dimension to the topics. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader’s knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.