Why we punish, who we punish and how we punish are central elements of any discussion of the role of law in modern society. In this impressive and timely collection, two leading experts on the theory of punishment have selected a range of articles which have made important and influential contributions to the ways in which punishment is understood in contemporary society. The collection is introduced by a lengthy and original discussion of the key concepts of punishment, and each article is prefaced by a short introduction setting out the issues to be discussed. Throughout the book the aim of the editors is to demonstrate how complex the concept of punishment is, and to illustrate how an understanding of punishment is vitally important for students of law and society.

1. Thinking about Punishment, R.A. Duff & D. Garland 2. Marxism and retribution, J.G. Murphy 3. The Expressive Function of Punishment, J. Feinberg 4. A Paternalistic Theory of Punishment, H. Morris 5. Censure and Proportionality, A. von Hirsch 6. Proportionality, Parsimony, and Interchangeability of Punishments, M. Tonry 7. Making the Punishment Fit the Crime: A Consumer's Guide to Sentencing Reform, F. Zimring 8. Penalties and Opportunities, J.Q. Wilson 9. Reductivism and Deterrence, N. Walker 10. General Prevention as Communication, T. Mathiesen 11. Incapacitation within Limits, N. Morris 12. The Concept of Punishment, P. Hirst 13. Beyond Punishment, E. Rotman 14. Crime, Inequality and Sentencing, P. Carlen 15. Abolition: Assensus and Sanctuary, H. Bianchi

`It's a fine book, as I would expect from these editors.' Richard, W. Ireland, University of Aberystwyth |d 05/01/1995