Societies, from time to time throughout history, have marched toward disaster with the acquiescence of otherwise sensible people. The current increase in the use of incarceration represents such a “march of folly.” Prison expansion is being driven by the notion that criminals are morally inferior and that they respond only to the threat of serious punishment. These assumptions are simplistic and socially divisive. Furthermore, incarceration is very expensive and fails to deal effectively with the reality that most criminals are returned to society. Criminal laws need to be reformed so that incarceration is reserved for the most serious violent offenders.
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In his foreword to my book, Prisons in Turmoil, Donald Cressey listed me as one of his “known sociological children.” Looking back on our relationship and my career in sociology, it is apparent to me now that he drew me into the area of prison research, got me started, and then, in a sense, passed it on to me and later to other students. In reviewing the sociology of the prison here, I will attempt to describe Cressey's early direct contribution and his continued influence on me and the field. But in order to accomplish this, I must fill in some details about his character and our relationship.
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