At the outset of the twenty-first century, more than 9 million people are held in custody in over 200 countries around the world.
--from the essay "Prisons and Jails" by Ron King

The first comparative study of this increasingly integral social subject, International Handbook of Penology and Criminal Justice provides a comprehensive and balanced review of the philosophy and practicality of punishment. Drawn from the expertise of scholars and researchers from around the world, this book covers the theory, practice, history, and empirical evidence surrounding crime...