Criminology -- Discrimination in criminal justice administration

This book explores criminal justice policy in light of recent research on changing patterns of crime and criminal careers. Highlighting the role of conservative social and political theory in giving rise to criminal justice policies, this book focuses on such policies as ?three strikes (two in the UK) and you?re out?, mandatory sentencing and widespread incarceration of drug offenders. It highlights the costs - in both money and opportunity - of increased prison expansion and explores factors such as: labour market dynamics, the rise of a ?prison industry?, the boost prisons provide to economies of underdeveloped regions, the spreading political disenfranchisement of the disadvantaged it has produced. It, hard facts and figures are accompanied by the faces and voices of the individuals and families whose lives hang in the balance. It is an essential resource for students, policy makers and researchers of criminology, criminal justice, social policy and criminal law, uses a compelling inter-play of theoretical works and powerful empirical research to present vivid portraits of individual life experiences.