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John Pratt, David Brown, Mark Brown, Simon Hallsworth and Wayne Morrison (eds.), The New Punitiveness: Trends, Theories, Perspectives.

Article Excerpt
JOHN PRATT, DAVID BROWN, MARK BROWN, SIMON HALLSWORTH and WAYNE MORRISON (eds.), The New Punitiveness: Trends, Theories, Perspectives. Portland, Oreg.: Willan Publishing, 2005, 319 p.

Punitiveness is nothing new, of course. Different societies at different points in their history have exhibited quite punitive tendencies. However, a number of commentators have in recent years pointed to certain contemporary trends that arguably constitute a new punitiveness associated with some broader social changes. This collection of articles--organized into four subject areas: punitive trends; globalization, technology and surveillance; non-punitive societies; and explanations--provides a very good overview of the major themes and debates on this topic.

A general introduction clearly outlines the scope of the text and identifies the main issues to be addressed. The editors' introduction begins by trying to identify the main characteristics of the new punitiveness, that is, forms of punishment that seem to violate the productive, restrained, and rational tenets of modern disciplinary punishment. They point to such defining characteristics as the trend toward much longer prison sentences, penal laws that seem to abandon long-standing limits to punishment, public humiliation, revocation of prison "privileges," curtailment of civil liberties of ex-prisoners, and the more active involvement of the public in penal affairs. The editors note that there is still considerable debate about the extent, range, meaning and explanation of these changes. A key issue is the extent to which these developments mark a break from...

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