This book evaluates the impact of tough sentencing reforms on the courts, prisons, and crime. It also unpacks the resulting policy implications.

A world list of books in the English language.

For undergraduate courses in Introduction to Criminological Theory, Theories of Crime & Delinquency, Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Introduction to Criminology found in Departments of Sociology, Criminology and Criminal Justice. This concise book, acclaimed by students as easy to read and understand, covers all the major sociological theories of crime, views the development of these theories, and shows the connections between them over time.

Criminal Justice: A Brief Introduction provides concise but thorough coverage of all major components of the American criminal justice system in an especially easy to read format. Chapters on police, courts, corrections, and additional materials on victim's rights form the crux of this exciting second edition. Critical contemporary issues such as "three-strikes" and "get-tough" policies are also addressed, making Criminal Justice: A Brief Introduction both comprehensive and up-to-date. Special features which hold and attract student attention include: 1) a strong visual orientation, built around the liberal use of eye-catching photos, charts and graphs; 2) an informative series of contemporary criminal justice careers boxes, describing the many employment opportunities in the field; 3) a thematic focus which asks students to critically examine the tension between the rights of individuals, and the interests of society in protection from crime; and 4) detailed coverage of important issues facing women and minorities as they work within or encounter the justice system. This second edition adds new and expanded materials on community policing, the Oklahoma City bombing, "three-strikes" legislation, "truth in sentencing", innovative defenses such as "black rage" and "urban survival syndrome", the O.J. Simpson trial, Megan's law (the legally mandated registration of sex offenders), the impact of drug-related incarceration on prison overcrowding, and victims rights, victimology, and the emerging concept of "restorative justice".

Offers an overview of the key theories in criminology with a focus on the contributions of the critical perspective.