Understanding Criminal Justice
Sociological Perspectives
- Philip Smith - Yale University, USA
- Kristin Natalier - Flinders University, Australia, University of Tasmania, Australia
`Smith and Natalier have produced an accessible, wide-ranging and lucid text which sets the major questions of criminal justice within the broad framework of classical and contemporary sociological theory. It represents a significant step forward among teaching texts in the field, synthesising some difficult material without over-simplifying it, and providing a broad-overview without losing sight of the texture of discreet issues' - Professor Nicola Lacey, London School of Economics
Is there really an intrinsic link between the law and our criminal justice system? What exactly is it and can an understanding of wider sociological issues tell us anything about this relationship?
Understanding Criminal Justice addresses the fundamental relationship between law and the criminal justice system, and the ways in which both are intimately connected with wider social forces.
The book provides an essential introduction coverering classic themes, debates and literatures to ground the student before moving on to contemporary themes such as globalisation, internet regulation and the media. The subject matter is contextualised within the wider social framework by calling into play the historical, political, community and cultural inputs that impact upon concrete policies and practice. The authors integrate theory with data and examples from the UK, USA and Australia.
Through the inclusion of the following pedagogical devices, the student is encouraged to more fully and independently develop their understanding of key questions and issues:
" review questions and exercises
" further reading lists
" suggested internet sites
" highlighted key terms
" bullets to summarise key points
" boxed sections on themes, definitions and case studies
This comprehensive overview is ideal for 1st and 2nd year undergraduates in Criminology, Criminal Justice Studies, Law, Legal Studies, Sociology, Social Work and Policing. Having used this text the reader will come to appreciate the myriad paths through which law and the criminal justice system play a vital, if contested, role in our society.
A useful, well written book demonstrating how the criminal justice system works, and in context of where and how the current policies came from. Is a must have for students of the criminal justice system and criminology
Content of book is consistent with course outline.
This book widens the understanding of Sociological Perspectives
The social and political philosophies that have developed Social Control and Punishment are well analysed,explaineed and presented to provide the reader with vital information to explore and gain insight into how the Police,Prison Service ,Courts and Criminal Justice System has developed and operated within the Criminal Justice System