Prison Violence

Kristine Levan is Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Idaho, USA.

• 1. An introduction to prisons, punishment and prison violence2. Prison, by the numbers3. Prisons and prison violence in other countries4. Prison violence: explanations and theoretical underpinnings5. The effects of prison violence6. Challenges to understanding the problem7. What is being done?8. The long road ahead: the future of prison violenceReferencesIndex.

'Levan's broad approach allows her to compare violence in US prisons to violence in prisons in other countries and ultimately to offer varied explanations concerning the genesis of prison violence. As a fitting conclusion to this valuable work, Levan suggests ways to prevent and treat violence in prisons. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Undergraduates through faculty.' Choice 'Getting smart on crime requires attention to prison violence. Levan makes an important contribution through her comprehensive review of the harm (to individuals, families and communities) and numerous research-based solutions.' Paul Leighton, Eastern Michigan University, USA 'A compelling and comprehensive examination of a commonly overlooked subject. Particularly useful for newcomers to this area, the text is highly readable. While focusing on the United States, cross-national data is also presented, giving a comparative perspective. It also offers an astute discussion of ways to prevent and respond to prison violence.' Tiffany Bergin, Cambridge University, UK 'In her compelling text, Dr Levan offers a comprehensive treatment of the age-old problem of prison violence, an issue that has remained in the shadows for far too long. Prison Violence: Causes, Consequences and Solutions provides a concise, yet detailed analysis of the origins and implications of a prison culture that endorses violence as a means of currency and problem resolution. Levan brings a fresh and much-needed approach to the complex issue, incorporating cross-cultural comparisons and discussing the ways in which violence is dealt with inside the prison walls. A must read for students of penology and violence, as well as the public as a whole.' Danielle Lavin-Loucks, Valparaiso University, USA '… for practitioners, this could be a very helpful resource; it is a concise and accessible summary of the issues surrounding prison violence and an introduction to how to reduce this. For those working in the field this could be a useful source of reflection, review, and further reading.' Prison Service Journal'Prison Violence offers the reader an overview of violence in American Prisons and, in one chapter, compares our system with various other countries. The book is perfect for the reader who is new to the study of incarceration as it covers a lot of ground and seeks to outline the reality of violence behind bars. The author takes a theoretical approach to this subject and offers some insight into the emerging topics surrounding this field. The greatest strength of her book is the author’s ability to clearly explain the difference between the myth of prison violence and the social reality of the prisoner… perfect for an introduction to corrections class at undergraduate level… the non-academic audience would greatly benefit from reading Kristine Levan’s remarkable book.' Criminal Law & Criminal Justice Books