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Corrections Courts, Law, and Justice Crime and Criminal Behavior Juvenile Crime and Justice Police and Law Enforcement

by William J. Chambliss
. 978-1-41297-856-9. Corrections. ISBN 9781412978569. 327p. Courts, Law, and Justice. ISBN 9781412978576. 317p. Crime and Criminal Behavior. ISBN 9781412978552. 323p. Juvenile Crime and Justice. ISBN 9781412978583. 336p. Police and Law Enforcement. ISBN 9781412978590. 320p. ea. vol: (Key Issues in Crime and Punishment). SAGE. 2011. ed. by William J. Chambliss. index. $80. Online: SAGE Reference Online REF
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These volumes each cover a broad area of the American criminal justice system. Within each book, about 20 chapters further subdivide material by topic. "Corrections," for example, discusses overcrowding, gangs, and violence in prison; the debate over punishment vs. rehabilitation; and so on. Chapters open with historical background, advance to legal concepts/social context, and present clearly worded point/counterpoint sections on controversies such as capital punishment. See also references and a short bibliography conclude each discussion. Chambliss (sociology, George Washington Univ.) has been published extensively in the field of criminology over the past four decades and is a solid pick for this project. His grasp of subject matter is evident in each volume's introductory essay. BOTTOM LINE Although it covers much the same territory as Criminal Justice (Salem, 2005), this excellent overview features more recent scholarship and has a slight edge in currency. Clearly written, solidly researched, and well balanced in its coverage of hot topics, it is an appropriate purchase for public and academic libraries and is highly recommended for institutions that support criminal justice programs.—Michael Bemis, Washington Cty. Lib., Woodbury, MN
Gr 10 Up—One of the most comprehensive works on the subject in some time. Each volume opens with a thorough introduction to its specific topic before providing 20 chapters pertaining to that subject. The format of each chapter varies slightly, depending on the legal action or crime being discussed, but usually consists of the history of the topic, a definition of it, a discussion of its current status, pro and con commentary, cross references to topics within that volume, and further-reading lists that vary from about a dozen titles to three or four pages in length. Possible solutions to criminal behavior in today's society are given considerable space. The index is self-contained in each volume. An excellent purchase for students interested in serious research.—Eldon Younce, Anthony Public Library, KS
Reviewed by Eldon Younce , Sep 01, 2011
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