Thomas Mathiesen is Professor of Sociology of Law at the University of Oslo. He was one of the founders of the Norwegian Association for Penal Reform. His widely acclaimed works include The Defences of the Weak (1995), Across the Boundaries of Organizations (1971), The Politics of Abolition (1974), Law, Society and Political Action (1980) and Silently Silenced: Essays on the Creation of Acquiescence in Modern Society (First English Edition, 2004).

'Does exactly what it says on the cover: it puts the institution of prison on trial ... this is vitally important ... Retains its place as a leading presentation of the abolitionist case'--Prison Service Journal; 'A classic for students and other people'--Inside Time.

• CONTENTS Foreword; Preface to the 2006 Edition; Preface to the 2000 Edition; From the Preface to the Original 1990 Edition. CHAPTERS 1.Prison: Does it have a Defence? 2.Rehabilitation. 3.General Prevention. 4.Other Theories of Social Defence. 5.Justice. 6.The Future of Imprisonment. Postscript. Epilogue. Bibliography. Index.

Thomas Mathiesen is Professor of Sociology of Law at the University of Oslo. He was one of the founders of the Norwegian Association for Penal Reform. His widely acclaimed works include The Defences of the Weak (1995), Across the Boundaries of Organizations (1971), The Politics of Abolition (1974), Law, Society and Political Action (1980) and Silently Silenced: Essays on the Creation of Acquiescence in Modern Society (First English Edition, 2004).

'Does exactly what it says on the cover: it puts the institution of prison on trial ... this is vitally important ... Retains its place as a leading presentation of the abolitionist case'--Prison Service Journal; 'A classic for students and other people'--Inside Time.

• CONTENTS Foreword; Preface to the 2006 Edition; Preface to the 2000 Edition; From the Preface to the Original 1990 Edition. CHAPTERS 1.Prison: Does it have a Defence? 2.Rehabilitation. 3.General Prevention. 4.Other Theories of Social Defence. 5.Justice. 6.The Future of Imprisonment. Postscript. Epilogue. Bibliography. Index.