Synopsis

Explore the American corrections system from the perspective of both the corrections worker and the offender in AMERICAN CORRECTIONS, Tenth Edition. Comprehensive yet not overwhelming, the book covers both institutional and community sanctions, incorporating high-profile corrections cases taken from recent headlines to reinforce important theories. The authors "tell it like it is," offering you thought-provoking, unbiased examinations of such topics as assisting felons during the re-entry process, reducing recidivism, the death penalty, and surveillance. You'll also get a frontline view of careers in the corrections field.

Booknews

Focusing on the context, practices, and issues related to corrections, this textbook is suited for an undergraduate college course on the subject. Chapters cover the history of corrections, the law, the varieties of institutions, the experiences of female prisoners and juveniles, management aspects, institutional programs, release, community supervision, incarceration trends, race and ethnicity, the death penalty, surveillance and control in the community, and community justice. An accompanying CD-ROM contains interviews with prisoners and corrections officials. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Biography

Todd R. Clear is Distinguished Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, The City University of New York. In addition, he has written several books and is founding editor of the journal CRIMINOLOGY AND PUBLIC POLICY (ASC). He has conducted extensive research on a range of topics in corrections, including sentencing policy, probation and parole supervision, institutional programs, corrections administration, and community justice. He has received awards from the American Probation and Parole Association, the International Association of Community Corrections, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges for his work. During 2001, he was president of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and vice president of the American Society of Criminology. Among his books are CONTROLLING THE OFFENDER IN THE COMMUNITY (with V. O'Leary); HARM IN AMERICAN PENOLOGY, THE COMMUNITY JUSTICE IDEAL (with David Karp); and AMERICAN CORRECTIONS (with G. Cole).

George F. Cole is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Connecticut. Recognized for his outstanding teaching and research, Professor Cole is a Fellow of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. He also held a fellowship at the National Institute of Justice and received two Fulbright-Hays Program research awards. Professor Cole developed and directed the graduate corrections program at the University of Connecticut and has published several criminal justice titles, including CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN AMERICA (with Christopher E. Smith), AMERICAN CORRECTIONS (with Todd Clear and Michael Reisig), and THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: POLITICS AND POLICIES (with Marc Gertz and Amy Bunger).

MICHAEL D. REISIG is a Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University. He received his Ph.D. from Washington State University in 1996. Previously he was a faculty member at Michigan State University and Florida State University. His correctional research has appeared in several leading criminology journals, including Criminology, Crime & Delinquency, Justice Quarterly, and Punishment & Society.