The textbook emphasizes strengths and weaknesses of retribution, rehabilitation, and incapacitation and offers sociological perspectives of Durkheim, Marxists, Foucault, and their contemporary followers. A section dealing with criminological perspectives on punishment looks at the influence of theory on penal policy and at the impact of penal ideologies on those on whom punishment is inflicted. Contributions of feminist theories and challenges they pose to masculinist accounts of punishment are noted. The concluding chapter critiques the very idea of punishment and considers contemporary proposals aimed at making society's response to crime less dependent on punishment. The textbook is suitable for a variety of crime-related courses in sociology, social policy, law, and social work and is also useful for professionals in criminal justice agencies and those interested in understanding the issues behind public and political debates on punishment. Chapters are organized according to juridical perspectives on punishment goals, sociological perspectives on punishment and modernity, and critical criminology and legal studies. References