Book Review: Education in prison: Studying through distance learning

• DOI: 10.1177/1057567713496816
• Date: 01 September 2013
• Author: Daniela Peterka-Benton
• Published date: 01 September 2013
• Subject Matter: Book Reviews

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International Criminal Justice Review 23(3)
also reflected in both its misleading title—it is not obvious what about the book ‘‘Beyond Suppres-
sion’’ is meant to express—and its bromide conclusion: ‘‘Epidemiological research and the
examples of violence prevention described in this book confirm that violence among young people
is a significant and pervasive problem’’ (p. 227). Even in the foreword to the book by G. R. Newman,
we read the platitude that ‘‘The authors of this book effectively demonstrate that youth violence
occurs in many different forms’’ (p. xi)!
Overall, this book does not offer anything new to those already familiar with the field of youth
violence. There is nothing in this book that has not been mentioned before in the massive literature
covering youth violence around the world. All the known determinants of youth violence are
reintroduced in this volume: culture, poverty, neighbourhood protection, family problems, mental dis-
orders, gun availability, and so on. Various preventive measures or public policies related to youth
violence (criminal justice, mental health departments, community-based programs, social workers,
etc.) are also recycled. However, if the reader is interested in knowing about specific approaches taken
by specific cities/countries/regions to youth violence, and the reasons for choosing those approaches,
then this book has a few things to offer. Some of the articles shed light on some interesting socioeco-
nomic and cultural variables for country-specific approaches to youth violence. The article on Iraq,
where ‘‘CeaseFire’’ method of reducing violence is discussed, is noteworthy in this regard. This book
is primarily suited for those new to the field of youth violence. It would make an informative, well-
written, methodologically sound, and highly accessible undergraduate-level course book.
Emma Hughes. (2012).
Education in prison: Studying through distance learning. Burlington, VT: Ashgate. vii,198 pp. $99.95, ISBN 978-1-
4094-0993-9.
Reviewed by: Daniela Peterka-Benton, SUNY Fredonia, Fredonia, NY, USA
DOI: 10.1177/1057567713496816
In her book, Education in Prison: Studying Through Distance Learning, Emma Hughes examines
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