NYU Press The Case Against Punishment: Retribution, Crime Prevention, and the Law

Golash addresses the value of punishment in contemporary society. Review A book that can spur good discussion and stimulate critical thinking.-- "Law and Politics Book Review" A finely reasoned argument on the ills of punishment. . . . An informative and thought provoking read-- "New York Law Journal" A work of sweeping vision and profound insight. Punishment, Golash demonstrates convincingly, is wrong in itself and counterproductive as well. That her fine book closes with a thoughtful sketch of a world without punishment is a testament to the author's intellectual range and originality.--Robert Johnson, author of Hard Time: Understanding and Reforming the Prison Philosophers of law too often assume that criminal punishment is of course justified and then argue over exactly what is the best justification for the practiceutilitarian deterrence, retribution, moral education, etc. It is important that this shared assumption be challenged and that serious consideration be given to the possibility that criminal punishment may not be justified at all. Although Professor Golash has by no means persuaded me that all criminal punishment should be totally abolished, her book is to be welcomed as an attempt to provoke serious reflection on this basic issue.--Jeffrie G. Murphy, Regents Professor of Law, Philosophy, and Religious Studies, Arizona State University About the Author Deirdre Golash is associate professor in the Department of Justice, Law, and Society at American University in Washington, DC.