CRIME, PUNISHMENT AND CURE

Hardback. In their previous book, 'The Offenders', the authors went well ahead of contemporary thinkers by demanding that an end to the death penalty should not be bought with promises of punishments no less cruel, such as life imprisonment.Tthis book marked an even more revolutionary step forward. In it they call for no less than the total abolition of the prison system. They argue, using many case histories, that punitive incarceration is a barbarism that has no place in a civilised society; that, despite its continuing pretensions, it corrupts rather than reforms; and that one cannot punish and treat by the same operation. On these foundations, the authors present a blueprint for a new order of criminal justice aimed at preventing, not avenging crime. But they eschew sentimentality or wishful thinking. They are convinced that most offenders can be deterred by punishment. Accordingly, they have worked out an entirely original system of financial penalties with teeth in it. They are equally convinced, however, that most serious offenders, being mentally or socially abnormal, are the greatest challenge to society. For them treatment is essential, and the authors outline a treatment system based on first-hand researches into pioneer projects being attempted in Holland, Scandinavia, the USA, Mexico, Brazil, West Germany and France, as well as in Britain. In a final chapter, the authors face the question of converting Government and public opinion to their revolutionary but wholly rational concepts. The role of the Press is especially emphasised. With Summary of Proposals, Bibliog. and Index. 348pp. 8vo. h/back. Lightly browned edges o/w Nr. F. in Vg. protected pcdw.