Burlingame, Jeff. Prisons.

Burlingame, Jeff. Prisons.  Marshall Cavendish/Benchmark,   2011. 143p  $25.95

sISBN 978-1-60870-493-4 ms/hs VG-BNS           

     Rehabilitation or punishment?  From the earliest times to the present, the prison system has been viewed in many ways.  The pros and cons of each argument about the penal system are highlighted in this informative volume.

As with other titles in the Controversy series, this volume brings the debate over various aspects of the current prison system and current legislation into the spotlight.  Beginning with a historical overview of the purpose and character of the prison system from its earliest days to the present, the author then goes on to highlight multiple views on the role of the prison system today, with personal narratives and profiles.  What is most cost effective?  Is rehabilitation a better solution than punishment?  Social activists, the parole system, different types of prisons, and release programs are all covered. 
     Photos and text boxes are used effectively to highlight interesting supplemental information.  The only problem is that the text boxes are placed in the middle of the narration in every chapter, interrupting the flow of the text. 
     A timeline, extensive chapter notes, and bibliographical resources, plus an extensive index, supplement the textual material in this volume for middle and high-school readers. 

     This book is part of the Controversy series, set 3.  There are six books in the series at this time.  The purpose of the series is to help students make informed choices, by presenting both sides of controversial issues.    

Subject: Prisons 

Pat Naismith