Karen Harrison is Professor of Law and Penal Justice, University of Lincoln, UK. Karen has been teaching criminology and penology in Law Schools for almost 20 years. Her specialist areas of research expertise are dangerous and sexual offences and offenders.

Karen Harrison presents a lucid and distinctive account of the major debates in penology. The book illustrates the diversity of disposals society imposes on those who offend. However, by drawing on best practice in the UK and elsewhere, readers are reminded that there are alternatives and that these may prove more effective and more humane. Students reading this work will come away informed and challenged.

• 1. Introduction2. Punishment and the Foundations of Penal Theory3. Rethinking Penal Theory4. Sentencing5. Out-of-Court Disposals and Fines6. Community Penalties7. Prisons and the Use of Imprisonment8. The Prison Experience9. Release, Recall and Reintegration10. Dangerous Offenders11. Children and Young People12. Social Inequalities in Custody.

Karen Harrison is Professor of Law and Penal Justice, University of Lincoln, UK. Karen has been teaching criminology and penology in Law Schools for almost 20 years. Her specialist areas of research expertise are dangerous and sexual offences and offenders.

Karen Harrison presents a lucid and distinctive account of the major debates in penology. The book illustrates the diversity of disposals society imposes on those who offend. However, by drawing on best practice in the UK and elsewhere, readers are reminded that there are alternatives and that these may prove more effective and more humane. Students reading this work will come away informed and challenged.

• 1. Introduction2. Punishment and the Foundations of Penal Theory3. Rethinking Penal Theory4. Sentencing5. Out-of-Court Disposals and Fines6. Community Penalties7. Prisons and the Use of Imprisonment8. The Prison Experience9. Release, Recall and Reintegration10. Dangerous Offenders11. Children and Young People12. Social Inequalities in Custody.