Book Review: American Penology: A History of Control

• Author: Christopher P. Dum
• Published date: 01 June 2012
• DOI: 10.1177/0734016811415257
• Date: 01 June 2012
• Subject Matter: Book Reviews

Part literary criticism, part political philosophy, part historical narrative, Bernstein’s work shines

a light into the window of the 1970s, with the beam focused upon a series of programs and

inmate-authored works that shaped narratives and dialogues about American corrections. It is

important to recall this key, and transitional, time in correctional history, and the impact made by

prison writing and arts—especially in an era where popular conceptions of corrections are often

based on movies and television programs to the exclusion of other sources. Bernstein is clearly well

versed in the literary and artistic works of inmate authors, and the text has an impressive depth of

citation, drawing together disparate ideas in interesting ways. The text does demand of its reader an

acceptance of critical (often Marxist) theory, which sometimes yields ideologically grounded

interpretations that may be debated by those working outside of that theoretical perspective. In some

areas, readers may also wonder if the analysis attributes too far-reaching a result or impact to the

programs described. However, the book does contribute to the correctional literature by recalling

an era that is too easily forgotten, and its unique cultural history.

T. G. Blomberg & K. Lucken

American Penology: A History of Control (2nd ed.) New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 2010. ix, 299 pp.

$29.95. ISBN 978-0202363349

Reviewed by: Christopher P. Dum, Suny, Albany, NY, USA

DOI: 10.1177/0734016811415257

When wielded by the right hands, the examination of history can be a powerful and insightful tool. In

American Penology: A History of Control, Blomberg and Lucken (2010) weave a stirring and

cautionary story of crime and punishment. Throughout 14 chapters, the authors draw upon a rich

tapestry of sources and perspectives that culminate in a thorough overview of the evolution of

penological movements and reforms in the United States.

The chapters are well organized, taking readers on a chronological tour through the developments

of the American penal system. Each chapter showcases the incredible amount of research that went

into this book. There is an abundance of statistical information, presented largely in the form of

accessible and eye-opening tables. These tables enhance the reader’s journey and add a pleasant

visual element to supplement the rich text of the book.

While the introduction claims that the authors are not ‘‘doing history’’ (p. 1), this statement sells

the book short. Although it is true that the book does not provide a full history of each reform area,

each chapter is fueled by an impressive examination of the relevant historical contexts of each time

period. Because of this attention, the reader becomes immersed in many key movements that shaped

the history of criminal justice.

Each chapter draws upon a strong selection of sources and focuses on several different topics with

an astute eye. The work begins with an examination of punishment at the start of the 1600s and

devotes several chapters to the establishment of prisons and the development of reforms throughout

the early 1900s. Chapter 6 is devoted to the establishment of the juvenile court, while Chapter 8

explores the world of prison subcultures. There is a substantial focus on prisons, which is not

misguided, given their widespread use in the United States. One of the strongest chapters is titled

‘‘Penal System as Surrogate Institution for Special Populations’’ and explores the pressing

contemporary issues of women in prison, the mentally ill, and inmates suffering from terminalillness.

Each chapter leaves few stones unturned. Because of this, the book as a whole is well suited for a

variety of audiences. In its simplest form, this book would be a great tool for any introductory

punishment or criminal justice course because of its comprehensive historical coverage and attention

276 Criminal Justice Review 37(2)