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thisisgettingstupid999's review against another edition
4.0
Imagine a town, around the size of Scunthorpe or Wakefield, entirely populated by those who’ve committed (or been accused of) a crime. That’s a reflection of the size of the prison population in England and Wales today. In his book, Daw shows that the US ‘City of Incarceration’ is their fifth largest population centre ( New York and LA being the top two). And yet, neither Britain or the US have consistently falling crime rates and the prison population (and the number of prison spaces) is ever growing. If its aim is to reduce crime, prison doesn’t work.
‘Justice on Trial’ puts forward an alternative . Daw makes it clear that his is not a ‘ “soft” liberal perspective’ – his concern is to ‘prevent as many people as possible becoming victims’. So he’d like to see drugs legalised and an end to the incarceration of children. Furthermore, for those who need to be controlled for the safety of society, he advocates the use of technology for this purpose.
Having worked in many public sector organisations, and seen how difficult it is to find a fully functioning photocopier, I’m sceptical that Daw’s high tech alternatives to prison are likely in the forseeable future.
But the main ideas of this well-researched and persuasive book should be carried forth by those with political power and the bravery to tell the truth about the criminal justice system.
Read this book.
‘Justice on Trial’ puts forward an alternative . Daw makes it clear that his is not a ‘ “soft” liberal perspective’ – his concern is to ‘prevent as many people as possible becoming victims’. So he’d like to see drugs legalised and an end to the incarceration of children. Furthermore, for those who need to be controlled for the safety of society, he advocates the use of technology for this purpose.
Having worked in many public sector organisations, and seen how difficult it is to find a fully functioning photocopier, I’m sceptical that Daw’s high tech alternatives to prison are likely in the forseeable future.
But the main ideas of this well-researched and persuasive book should be carried forth by those with political power and the bravery to tell the truth about the criminal justice system.
Read this book.
sophiew23's review against another edition
4.0
Extremely thought provoking. There are many theories here that you would immediately dismiss as being impractical, but when the author explains his reasoning, your perspective on matters is greatly widened. Would definitely recommend- so interesting!
epellicci's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Mental illness, Violence, and Police brutality
seventhswan's review
3.0
I agreed with pretty much every argument in this book, but if I hadn't already done so, I don't think reading it would have changed my mind.
catriona176's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
3.0
perfect_peter777's review
informative
medium-paced
4.5
A book that convinces me that we need radical criminal justice reform and quick, that we should legalise all drugs, that we need to stop criminalising children.
Balanced, informed, to the point. Darin sting case studies.
Brilliant read.
Balanced, informed, to the point. Darin sting case studies.
Brilliant read.
adriana69's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
This is a challenging and thought provoking look at aspects of the criminal justice system in the UK and elsewhere from an insider who has thought about how it works (or doesn't) and why.
Highly recommended.
Uses case records and experience but also looks wider at the States and some European countries and how they do things and what works. That wider perspective is really useful.
Drugs, prisons, are people good or evil.
Thoroughly enjoyable but also challenging. Very very good.
Highly recommended.
Uses case records and experience but also looks wider at the States and some European countries and how they do things and what works. That wider perspective is really useful.
Drugs, prisons, are people good or evil.
Thoroughly enjoyable but also challenging. Very very good.