It's about Time: America's Imprisonment Binge

by James Austin

IT'S ABOUT TIME provides a compelling argument, based on extensive research, illustrating how the U.S. attempts to lower crime by using our correctional system as the primary solution. The book includes personal accounts from prisoners to illustrate the brutal aspects of prison life and the intent of the U.S. to create a "prison industrial complex." This book often exposes students for the first time to varying points of view of the corrections system. The authors, one of whom served 10 years in prison and is now a noted criminologist in the field, present the material in a powerful but compassionate manner. The book's strong research base and accessible style make it a popular choice for a wide variety of courses.

280 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1993

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a good academic/statistical study on imprisonment/correctional issues. It covers several areas, including the public vs. privatization debate, effectiveness of various treatment programs and other alternative programs (ie, boot camp), and some cost-effective considerations.