Research Handbook on Penal Policy

This thought-provoking Research Handbook explores how penal policies are shaped, contested, and transformed. It examines the development of penal strategies, analysing why systems converge in some areas and diverge in others.
This thought-provoking Research Handbook explores how penal policies are shaped, contested, and transformed. It examines the development of penal strategies, analysing why systems converge in some areas and diverge in others.

Leading scholars and experts highlight emerging trends and challenges in the field, covering key topics including policy transfer, penal populism, technocratic approaches to penal policy, the influence of human rights, outcome assessment of penal policy decisions, and decarceration strategies. The chapters examine penal governance and the politics of crime and punishment, investigating how decisions about penal interventions are made, as well as the values, interests, and practical constraints which influence them. Combining theoretical examination and normative inquiry with a cross-national perspective and real-world analysis, the Handbook bridges theory and practice, serving as a foundational resource for engaging with contemporary debates in penal policy.

This Research Handbook is an essential read for scholars and students of criminal law, criminal justice, and criminology. It is also beneficial for policymakers and criminal justice practitioners looking to better understand the complex forces shaping penal policy across diverse national and institutional contexts.

Contributor: Alessandro Corda (Edited by)

UK Delivery:

• Free delivery on all orders of £10 or more.
• £1.49 delivery fee on orders below £10.
• UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail 2nd Class.

International Delivery:

• Flat rate delivery charges vary by country.

Dispatch and Delivery Times:

• All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Northampton, UK within 48 hours of receipt during working hours.
• UK mainland orders typically arrive within 3-5 working days via Royal Mail 2nd Class.
• International estimated delivery times:
• Europe & Channel Islands: 7 to 10 working days
• USA: 7 to 15 working days
• Rest of the World: 9 to 21 working days

View our full delivery infomation here.