Introduction

Abstract

This book argues that punishment is a pervasive feature of society, not restricted to the criminal justice system, which is predominantly abusive in its applications. But academic discussion of punishment has tended to remain with penologists and to focus on criminal justice. This book takes as its focus the view expressed by Sylvester in 1977 (Sylvester, 1977, p. 9), that punishment and criminal justice need dislodging from the behavioural scientists and penal administrators who monopolise them.