Book review: Imprisonment Worldwide: The Current Situation and an Alternative Future
| Published date | 01 July 2017 |
| Date | 01 July 2017 |
| DOI | 10.1177/1748895817702033 |
| Author | Michelle Waldron |
| Subject Matter | Book reviews |
https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895817702033
Criminology & Criminal Justice
2017, Vol. 17(3) 356 –361
© The Author(s) 2017
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DOI: 10.1177/1748895817702033
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Book reviews
A Coyle, H Fair, J Jacobson and R Walmsley, Imprisonment Worldwide: The Current Situation and
an Alternative Future, Policy Press: Bristol, 2016; 180 pp.: 9781447331759, £9.99 (pbk)
Reviewed by: Michelle Waldron, University of Stirling, UK
Coyle, Fair, Jacobson and Walmsley have developed a comprehensive and easy to digest
resource which provides an account of prison populations and statistics globally. The text
considers the role of prisons and seeks to explain in laymen’s terms the factors, uses and
management considerations which exist within a prison community. The authors have
divided the book into three primary sections. Section I: Prisons and the use of imprison-
ment, numbers and trends; Section II: An ethical approach to the use of imprisonment;
and Section III: An alternative future. There is an underlying theme throughout the text
which emphasizes the human and social impacts of incarceration on individuals, families
and on society in general. The authors assess the ethical responsibilities of incarcerators
and the variation and violations of human rights that occur as a result of prison over-
crowding globally.
The data in Section I relating to prison populations is easily adapted into a visual
demonstration and compelling argument for reviewing sentencing guidelines and policy.
Incidentally, the authors note that changes to policy have significantly increased sen-
tence terms and criminalization globally. These reforms to policy have also led to unfair
sentencing practices and considerably longer periods of time in which people are being
held on remand (untried). In addition, the complexities of remand sentences for female
prisoners are examined as well as trends of imprisonment around the world.
In Section II, the ethics of imprisonment is discussed and globally there has been a
slow progression from punitive punishments, such as custodial sentences, to less retribu-
tive or alternatives to prison. The authors also highlight the disproportionally high num-
ber of minority prisoners worldwide as well as the impacts of low socio-economic status,
which have long been associated with patterns of crime and criminality. The text makes
a strong assertion that an ethical and human rights-based approach is needed to mend the
disparate approaches to crime globally. The authors outline in Chapter 6 the ideals of the
international human rights standards as they apply to incarceration around the world. The
chapter is grouped into themes: total prohibition of torture; dignity of the person; health;
operating safe and orderly prisons; disciplinary procedure and complaints; constructive
activities and social reintegration; recognizing diversity; remand prisoners; women
702033CRJ0010.1177/1748895817702033Criminology & Criminal JusticeBook reviews
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