Reference Reviews

Doug’s Student Reference Room

Crime & Punishment in the United States, edited by Phyllis B. Gerstenfeld. 3 vols, 1092 p. Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, Inc., 2008. ISBN 13:. $217.

Crime & Punishment in the United States updates Salem Press’ 2005 Criminal Justice. The 257 entries, about half of them brand new, explore core issues of criminal justice through four main perspectives. 40 entries deal with types of crimes, from animal abuse to white-collar crime. Nearly half the entries are related to the kinds and specific functions of a wide range of law enforcement agencies. Another 50 entries review the processes of prosecution and trials, exploring definitions of criminal procedure, the indictment process and the purpose and operation of grand juries. Another 60 entries look at all aspects of punishment, including sentencing, types and conditions of prisons, parole and pardons. Organized alphabetically and ranging in length from a few paragraphs to five or six pages, the entries begin with brief definitions, cross-referenced criminal justice issues, and an explanation of the topic’s significance to the broader issue of crime and punishment. Each entry includes print suggestions for further reading, half of which have been published since 2002. A glossary, an index of entries by category and a subject index conclude the final volume. This set would be useful for researchers age thirteen and above seeking overview information on issues related to crime and criminals. Recommended for secondary school and public libraries.
—Doug Achterman