A highly engaging and accessible text that will absorb students into the study of Penology for many years to come. The book will appeal to theoretical purists and policy actors alike. Most of all, it is students wishing to immerse themselves in the hidden and complex world of the prison who will find this text stimulating and through-provoking. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and wish only that such texts were available during my studies.' - Dr Laura Piacentini, Reader in Criminology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. 'A clearly written introduction to penology studies that not only s.