Book Review: Imprisonment in America: Choosing the Future
Book Review: Imprisonment in America: Choosing the Future
Challinger, Dennis
1984-03-01 00:00:00
BOOK REVIEWS (1984) 17 ANZJ Crim Imprisonment in America: Choosing the Future, Michael Sherman and Gordon Hawkins, University of Chicago Press (1981) pp 146. The authors of this absorbing book set out to write a "policy book", It would, they say, achieve its aim if it "influences one or two jurisdictions which share our dissatisfaction with the present and are seeking openings to a better future". Hopefully it has done at least that in the United States where considerable discussion must have followed its publication. In Australia, all those interested in the future of our prisons, especially politicians, should make sure they read it. Basically Sherman and Hawkins argue that the use of imprisonment (and indeed penological practice) has to be seen in a broader context than is currently the case. They despatch mechanical forecasting of prison populations as a search for "a mythical magic number", Because prison populations are the result of "literally millions of decisions" made within the criminal justice system such forecasting is "not only .impossible in any respectable professional way" but is "potentially dangerous" through, for instance, such forecasts becoming self-fulfilling. These millions of decisions are, the authors say, the result of socio-historical developments about which they elaborate, In particular they outline how the tip of the policy debate is indicated by the American debate and at times bitter rhetoric between those who wish to see prisons abolished and those who wish to build more. Explaining the differing use and philosophy of imprisonment in both England and the United States by tracking the history of prisons in each country strengthens their analysis even further. And this is capped off by their discussion of the legalist, crime control and social paradigms all of which they illustrate, have had their penological heyday. Overall then the authors conclude that prison is "a scarce political and economic resource that should be used for the .IDQSt serious offender. This is not a new declaration but the thoughtful ways in which the authors reach and justify, this position provides fascinating reading. Melbourne DENNIS CHALLINGER PRELIMINARY NOTICE 1984 AUTUMN SCHOOL OF STUDIES ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS The next annual School of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs will be held at St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Vic, over the three days 30 May 1984, 31 May 19~4 and 1 June 1984. The programme of the School is designed to cater for the interests of an audience from a variety of disciplines working in the fields of alcohol and drug related problems. The main symposium will deal with ALCOHOL RELATED BRAIN DAMAGE and will be held on Thursday 31 May. It will cover Diagnosis, Pathogenesis, Prognosis, Management and Prevention. On Friday 1 June there will be two seminars. For further information please contact: Dr J N Santamaria Director, Autumn School of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs Department of Community Medicine St Vincent's Hospital FITZROY Vic 3060 Telephone: (03) 418 2627
http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.pngAustralian & New Zealand Journal of CriminologySAGEhttp://www.deepdyve.com/lp/sage/book-review-imprisonment-in-america-choosing-the-future-gkZ1Z1aj0H
Book Review: Imprisonment in America: Choosing the Future
BOOK REVIEWS (1984) 17 ANZJ Crim Imprisonment in America: Choosing the Future, Michael Sherman and Gordon Hawkins, University of Chicago Press (1981) pp 146. The authors of this absorbing book set out to write a "policy book", It would, they say, achieve its aim if it "influences one or two jurisdictions which share our dissatisfaction with the present and are seeking openings to a better future". Hopefully it has done at least that in the United States where considerable discussion must have followed its publication. In Australia, all those interested in the future of our prisons, especially politicians, should make sure they read it. Basically Sherman and Hawkins argue that the use of imprisonment (and indeed penological practice) has to be seen in a broader context than is currently the case. They despatch mechanical forecasting of prison populations as a search for "a mythical magic number", Because prison populations are the result of "literally millions of decisions" made within the criminal justice system such forecasting is "not only .impossible in any respectable professional way" but is "potentially dangerous" through, for instance, such forecasts becoming self-fulfilling. These millions of decisions are, the authors say, the result of socio-historical developments about which they elaborate, In particular they outline how the tip of the policy debate is indicated by the American debate and at times bitter rhetoric between those who wish to see prisons abolished and those who wish to build more. Explaining the differing use and philosophy of imprisonment in both England and the United States by tracking the history of prisons in each country strengthens their analysis even further. And this is capped off by their discussion of the legalist, crime control and social paradigms all of which they illustrate, have had their penological heyday. Overall then the authors conclude that prison is "a scarce political and economic resource that should be used for the .IDQSt serious offender. This is not a new declaration but the thoughtful ways in which the authors reach and justify, this position provides fascinating reading. Melbourne DENNIS CHALLINGER PRELIMINARY NOTICE 1984 AUTUMN SCHOOL OF STUDIES ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS The next annual School of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs will be held at St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Vic, over the three days 30 May 1984, 31 May 19~4 and 1 June 1984. The programme of the School is designed to cater for the interests of an audience from a variety of disciplines working in the fields of alcohol and drug related problems. The main symposium will deal with ALCOHOL RELATED BRAIN DAMAGE and will be held on Thursday 31 May. It will cover Diagnosis, Pathogenesis, Prognosis, Management and Prevention. On Friday 1 June there will be two seminars. For further information please contact: Dr J N Santamaria Director, Autumn School of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs Department of Community Medicine St Vincent's Hospital FITZROY Vic 3060 Telephone: (03) 418 2627
Journal
Australian & New Zealand Journal of Criminology
– SAGE
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