This book discusses in depth the rise and fall of the determinate ideal, once heralded as a replacement to the old order of criminal justice. Using new materials and combining political, empirical, and theoretical perspectives, Griset examines the attempt in New York State to establish determinate sentencing -- "punishment for its own sake" -- to replace the existing policy of rehabilitation. In portraying New York's experience against the backdrop of a national reform agenda, she analyzes the development and ultimate failure of a major social movement.

On July 1, 1977, California began a major reform in its policy dealing with prison sentences. The Uniform Determinate Sentence Law (to be referred to here as the DSL) became effective on this day, replacing a system of indeterminate sentencing (to be called here ISL) that had been in existence for sixty years. The new DSL thus radically changed the process under which prison term lengths were set, and removing some of the extraordinary uncertainty characterizing the open-ended sentences of the ISL. It is clearly early to begin the process of attempting to assess the effects of the California DSL, as only a few years have passed since it went into effect and its ultimate impacts may take years to be fully worked out. In addition to providing information about how the new law has affected and been mediated by court disposition processes, we also are concerned with a somewhat broader issue, that of the impact or implementation process in general. How does the impact of California DSL inform us about the general process by which public policy is made at the legislative level and then translated into behavioral changes by other decision makers whose job it is to "implement" the policies of the legislature? How, in this case, does implementation of the DSL illuminate the process by which sentencing policy is made, implemented, and modified as time goes by?

This book reviews concepts, information and points of view that help to explain the context and constraints of the criminal justice system. The chapters summarize developments in public policy and crime control, and interweave themes central to the discussion: the impact of ideology, the role of the media, and the politicization of crime and criminal justice.

This is a comprehensive, introductory criminal law textbook that expands upon traditional concepts and cases by coverage of the most contemporary topics and issues. Contemporary material, including terrorism, computer crimes, and hate crimes, serves to illuminate the ever-evolving relationship between criminal law, society and the criminal justice system's role in balancing competing interests. The case method is used throughout the book as an effective and creative learning tool.Features include:" vignettes, core concepts, 'Cases and Concepts', 'You Decides, excerpts from state statutes, 'legal equations' and Crime in the News boxes" fully developed end-of-chapter pedagogy includes review questions, legal terminology and 'Criminal Law on the Web' resources" instructor resources (including PowerPoint slides, a computerized testbank and classroom activities) and a Student Study Site accompany this text

A Brief Introduction to Corrections is a condensed version of the best-selling Introduction to Corrections by Robert D. Hanser. This new text provides students with an overview of corrections that is both practitioner-driven and grounded in modern research. Experienced correctional practitioner and scholar Robert D. Hanser shows readers how the corrections system actually works, from classification to security and treatment to demonstrating how and why correctional practices are implemented.

Presents the findings of the first national assessment of sentencing reforms. This report offers lessons learned in the diverse efforts to structure sentencing over the past two decades. These lessons are offered in the context of a historical perspective of sentencing practices used in the U. S., with a discussions of the issues that led to the structured sentencing movement. They are based on a national survey of existing sentencing practices in the 50 States & the District of Columbia. Sources for further information. Bibliography. Charts & tables.