Crime and Punishment Around the World

General editor Graeme R. Newman (School of Criminal Justice, U. at Albany) is affiliated with the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing, and is an advisor to the United Nations (he founded the UN Crime and Justice Information Network). In his general introduction to this four-volume reference he begins by explaining that human beings need order--written law, or orally conveyed practices and customs--and continues with discussion of the importance of understanding, or at least tracking, how this need plays out under various circumstances and in various parts of the world. He discusses the pitfalls inherent in gathering, interpreting, and comparing data--activities that are indeed challenges, yet eminently worthwhile if historical, social, and economic contexts are brought to bear on the investigation. This reference treats some 200 nations, principalities, and dependencies, arranged geographically in four volumes focused, respectively, on Africa and the Middle East, the Americas, Asia and Pacific, and Europe--each volume shaped by an editor positioned to find expert local contributors. The articles examine the basic organization of each state's legal and criminal justice system, report on types and levels of crime, and provide important contextual material. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Graeme R. Newman is distinguished teaching professor at the School of Criminal Justice, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY.