Prisons and Prison Systems: A Global Encyclopedia

Prisons and Prison Systems: A Global Encyclopedia provides a comprehensive reference guide to corrections and incarceration practices across cultures and historical periods. The volume contains over 400 entries covering prison facilities, notable inmates, prison reforms, and correctional approaches worldwide. The encyclopedia examines both historical and contemporary aspects of imprisonment, from ancient dungeons to modern supermax facilities. Entries detail specific institutions like Alcatraz and Sing Sing, key figures in prison reform, and major developments in penal theory and practice. Topics include prison architecture, rehabilitation programs, capital punishment, prison riots, and the privatization of correctional facilities. The work incorporates perspectives from criminology, sociology, law, and human rights. This encyclopedic work reveals how different societies have approached crime, punishment and justice throughout history. The entries highlight the complex relationship between incarceration practices and broader social, political and economic forces.

Reviews and ratings for this book are limited online, with only a handful of reviews from academic libraries and prison researchers. Readers appreciated: - Comprehensive coverage of prison systems worldwide - Inclusion of historical and modern examples - Clear organization by country and topic - Value as a quick reference for students and researchers Common criticisms: - Many entries lack depth - Some inconsistency in detail level between different countries - High cost limits accessibility for individual buyers - Some dated information (published 2006) Available ratings: - Goodreads: No ratings - Amazon: No customer reviews - WorldCat: Recommended by 3 academic libraries - Choice Reviews notes it "fills a gap in prison reference materials" but mentions limitations in scope Professional reviews indicate this works better as a starting reference point rather than a detailed academic source. Library reviewers suggest it for undergraduate collections but note better options exist for advanced research.

Inside: Life Behind Bars in America by Gary Wunder Documents the U.S. prison system through first-hand accounts from inmates, guards, and administrators across multiple security levels.

The Oxford History of the Prison by Norval Morris Traces the evolution of imprisonment from ancient times through modern penal systems across different cultures and continents.

Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing by Ted Conover Chronicles the experiences of a journalist who worked as a corrections officer at Sing Sing Prison to understand the prison system from within.

Are Prisons Obsolete? by Angela Y. Davis Examines the history of incarceration, prison reform movements, and alternatives to imprisonment through a social justice framework.

The Prison Book Club by Ann Walmsley Presents the operations and impact of book clubs in various Canadian prisons through interviews with inmates and volunteers.

🔐 Prior to writing this encyclopedia, author Mitchel P. Roth spent time teaching history courses to inmates in Texas prisons 📚 The book covers prison systems across six continents and spans from ancient times through the 21st century ⚖️ The encyclopedia includes entries on famous prison escapes, including the 1962 Alcatraz escape that inspired numerous films and books 🏛️ Some of the oldest prisons covered in the book date back to ancient Rome, where the Mamertine Prison held enemies of the state as early as 640 BCE 🌍 The book reveals how different cultures' prison systems reflect their social values - for instance, Scandinavian "open prisons" focus on rehabilitation while U.S. systems emphasize punishment