Controversial Issues in Corrections

Book excerpt: Under what circumstances should juveniles be tried as adults? When is police force a warranted plan of action? How often is racial bias a factor in judging a suspect's culpability? How do officers assess an inmate's potential for rehabilitation? These are some of the most hotly debated questions in the field of corrections, often sparking discomfort and anger among those who wish to know more about these issues. Controversial Issues in Corrections attempts to provide factual information and a much-needed forum for discussion, utilizing a unique debate format to discuss controversial issues in the field of corrections. Topics addressed in this book were chosen with a conscious effort to include those that are the most controversial. Issues debated include the effect of shaming as an approach to punishment, the incarceration of pregnant women, the controversy of co-ed prisons, the increase of inmate lawsuits, and the execution of youthful murderers. The contributing authors, each solicited because of their expertise, come from a variety of backgrounds, academic disciplines and perspectives. Law enforcement officers, corrections officers, educators, students of law enforcement, and anyone interested in issues of criminal justice and the correctional process.