Introduction to Corrections

The Third Edition of Introduction to Corrections provides students with a strong, comprehensive foundation in the field of corrections using modern research, theoretical origins, and practical application. Designed for introductory corrections courses, this text uniquely illustrates how the day-to-day practitioner conducts business in the field of corrections, in both the institutional and community settings. Experienced correctional practitioner, scholar, and author, Robert D. Hanser shows students how the corrections system actually works, from classification, to security, to treatment, to demonstrating how and why correctional practices are implemented.

Features and Benefits

• Balanced coverage of research and practice gives students the best of both worlds as they prepare for a career in corrections and/or the criminal justice system
• Assessment and classification from both institutional and community corrections perspectives offer students a well-rounded understanding of the field of corrections
•  A chapter devoted to legal liabilities within institutional corrections equips students with essential legal knowledge they need to protect themselves and others out in the field
• Various issues associated with specialized offender typologies help students understand a variety of offenders they will encounter in the field, such as female offenders, geriatric offenders, mentally ill offenders, gang offenders, and others
• Technology and Equipment boxes offer solid coverage of modern technology and equipment used in corrections and expose students to the benefits of technology such as the use of electronic surveillance systems, locking systems, and other advanced equipment
• “What Would You Do?” assignments challenge students to think critically in every chapter
• “Corrections and the Law” sections highlight legal considerations in each chapter and provide continuity throughout
• “Cross-National Perspectives” boxed features help students develop a global mindset using issues (determined by the content of the chapter) as they are addressed in other countries
• Applied Theory features demonstrate the connection between criminological theory and the actual daily operations of correctional facilities
• Focus Topic boxes delve into key topics in corrections, offering students a deeper look into critical issues
• Exclusive Prison Tour and Inmate Videos provide a look into the daily operations of the correctional facilities at Angola State Penitentiary and Richwood Correctional Center with commentary from correctional staff

New to This Edition

• New chapter on immigration detention centers, which covers a timely topic and illuminates the connection between corrections and immigration.
• Text organization has been strengthened with the addition of part titles and revised chapter structure to provide students with a clear grouping of information for ease of navigation.
• Up-to-date statistics have been added to the tables and figures to provide students a snapshot of the status of corrections today.
• New topics on the effects of realignment in California, medical care in jails, probation, compassionate prison design, female drug offenders, the treatment of HIV/AIDS in prisons, the use of re-entry councils, and updated court decisions and controversies around the death penalty have been added.
• Some chapters contain new feature boxes, covering topics on hunger strikes in Israeli prisons, the classification process for violent offenders, white supremacist prison gang members, prison riots in Brazil, and MS-13 gang activity in prisons.
• Coverage of new technology in corrections, including RFID in correction settings, the use of drones in prison security, and easy-to-smuggle contraband.