Profitable Penalties

The United States is now spending huge sums of money `getting tough on crime′ to the detriment of education and other public service expenditures//programmes. From a cost as well as crime control perspective, this unique book asks whether value for money is being gained from these investments? It looks at existing research on the subject and suggests ways of cutting both crime rates and costs? The author′s wisdom and experience of a half century of employment, research, and teaching in the field of corrections is reflected in this volume. He focuses on whether the vast sums we are spending to "get tough on crime" actually give us our money′s worth, and uses what the best research evidence shows are the most profitable reactions to lawbreakers. Presented in a bright and readable style for undergraduates and the general public, this book discusses both general principles in reacting to crime, as well as a wealth of practical implications pertinent to specific types of offenses.