To Serve and Protect

Privatization and Community in Criminal Justice

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Law, Criminal law
Cover of the book To Serve and Protect by Bruce L. Benson, NYU Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Bruce L. Benson ISBN: 9780814709122
Publisher: NYU Press Publication: August 1, 1998
Imprint: NYU Press Language: English
Author: Bruce L. Benson
ISBN: 9780814709122
Publisher: NYU Press
Publication: August 1, 1998
Imprint: NYU Press
Language: English

In contrast to government's predominant role in criminal justice today, for many centuries crime control was almost entirely private and community-based. Government police forces, prosecutors, courts, and prisons are all recent historical developments–results of a political and bureaucratic social experiment which, Bruce Benson argues, neither protects the innocent nor dispenses justice.
In this comprehensive and timely book, Benson analyzes the accelerating trend toward privatization in the criminal justice system. In so doing, To Serve and Protect challenges and transcends both liberal and conservative policies that have supported government's pervasive role. With lucidity and rigor, he examines the gamut of private-sector input to criminal justice–from private-sector outsourcing of prisons and corrections, security, arbitration to full "private justice" such as business and community-imposed sanctions and citizen crime prevention. Searching for the most cost-effective methods of reducing crime and protecting civil liberties, Benson weighs the benefits and liabilities of various levels of privatization, offering correctives for the current gridlock that will make criminal justice truly accountable to the citizenry and will simultaneously result in reductions in the unchecked power of government.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In contrast to government's predominant role in criminal justice today, for many centuries crime control was almost entirely private and community-based. Government police forces, prosecutors, courts, and prisons are all recent historical developments–results of a political and bureaucratic social experiment which, Bruce Benson argues, neither protects the innocent nor dispenses justice.
In this comprehensive and timely book, Benson analyzes the accelerating trend toward privatization in the criminal justice system. In so doing, To Serve and Protect challenges and transcends both liberal and conservative policies that have supported government's pervasive role. With lucidity and rigor, he examines the gamut of private-sector input to criminal justice–from private-sector outsourcing of prisons and corrections, security, arbitration to full "private justice" such as business and community-imposed sanctions and citizen crime prevention. Searching for the most cost-effective methods of reducing crime and protecting civil liberties, Benson weighs the benefits and liabilities of various levels of privatization, offering correctives for the current gridlock that will make criminal justice truly accountable to the citizenry and will simultaneously result in reductions in the unchecked power of government.

More books from NYU Press

Cover of the book Crown of Thorns by Bruce L. Benson
Cover of the book Apocalypse Then by Bruce L. Benson
Cover of the book Loca Motion by Bruce L. Benson
Cover of the book Love and Money by Bruce L. Benson
Cover of the book Inequalities of Aging by Bruce L. Benson
Cover of the book Slavery's Exiles by Bruce L. Benson
Cover of the book Dancing Tango by Bruce L. Benson
Cover of the book Transcendent in America by Bruce L. Benson
Cover of the book Reimagining Equality by Bruce L. Benson
Cover of the book Ingratitude by Bruce L. Benson
Cover of the book Those Damned Immigrants by Bruce L. Benson
Cover of the book Money at Work by Bruce L. Benson
Cover of the book Whose Global Village? by Bruce L. Benson
Cover of the book At Work in the Iron Cage by Bruce L. Benson
Cover of the book Just Trade by Bruce L. Benson
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy