Sentencing and Punishment: The Quest for Justice 5th ed

Examining the theory behind the headlines and engaging with current debates, this new edition provides thoughtful, impartial, and unbiased coverage of sentencing and punishment in the UK. Collectively, Susan Easton and Christine Piper are highly experienced teachers and researchers in this field, making them perfectly placed to deliver this lively account of a highly dynamic subject area.

The book takes a thorough and systematic approach to sentencing and punishment, examining key topics from legal, philosophical, and practical perspectives. Offering in-depth and detailed coverage, while remaining clear and succinct, the authors deliver a balanced approach to the subject. Chapter summaries, discussion questions, and case studies help students to engage with the subject, apply their knowledge, and reflect upon debates.

Fully reworked and restructured, this fifth edition has been updated to include developments such as the Sentencing Act 2020 and changes following the 2019 general election. This is the essential guide for anyone studying sentencing and punishment as part of a law or criminology course.

New to this Edition:

• The fifth edition is fully updated to include recent developments including the Sentencing Act 2020 and other major policy developments and proposals
• Features the impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic on the courts, on life in prison, and on offenders in Young Offender Institutions
• Includes additional material on the impact of the Equality Act 2010, including the impact of imprisonment on mothers, as well as further discussion on racial disparity and the criminal justice system in the UK and US