Arrangement is alphabetical. Entries range in size from a few sentences to a few pages and include sources consulted. The material is well written and easy to digest. A substantial number of the more than 450 entries cover individual countries and their prison systems; these are complemented by more specific entries, such as Gulag and Midnight Express.

Introductory material includes an alphabetical list of entries, a topical list of entries, and a chronology of the world's prisons from circa 1900 BCE to 2004. The encyclopedia also offers a bibliography and 14 appendixes on a variety of topics, including writings by prisoners and prison employees, prison museums, famous prisoners, and general, French, and Soviet prison slang.

Several titles, including Garland's The Encyclopedia of American Prisons (1996), Facts On File's Encyclopedia of American Prisons (2003), and Sage's Encyclopedia of Prisons and Correctional Facilities (2005), offer a U.S. perspective on prisons, prison facilities, and broader prison issues, like death row, parole, and escapes. Roth's encyclopedia is unique in its coverage of global prisons and prison systems. It is recommended for academic libraries, particularly those with criminal justice, political science, or international studies programs. Sue Polanka
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“Crime and punishment are nearly as old as the world itself, and it is a world view of one element of punishment, incarceration, that Roth presents in this one-volume work. A succinct preface clearly defines organization and methodology of inclusion and exclusion. An introduction offers a brief history of incarceration, and is followed by a chronology from 1900 BCE to 2004 CE. The main body of the work consists of nearly 500 alphabetically arranged, cross-referenced entries ranging in length from a paragraph to several pages; each lists one or more sources. The scope is impressive, covering everything from famous prisons (Alcatraz), famous prisoners (Nelson Mandela), and prison reformers (Dorothea Dix) to prison architecture (panopticon), prison innovations (supermaximum prisons), prison terminology (parole), prison slang (screw), prison organizations (Amnesty International), and much more; especially useful are the more than 200 entries on national prison systems…. This truly unique and valuable resource is well suited and accessible for both research and browsing, and is eminently suitable for academic and larger public libraries. Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty/researchers; general readers.” ―Choice

“[A] good contribution to the field, and will be a useful addition for law libraries, criminology researchers, and universities. It has an easy style, clearly printed with a good size type and will also prove popular with general readerships and public libraries.” ―Reference Reviews

“Any college-level collection with a focus on law enforcement should have Mitchel P. Roth's Prisons and Prison Systems: A Global Encyclopedia in their collection: it packs in details on famous prisons, prisoners, prison museums, prison culture, writings by prisoners and more, with listings ranging from paragraphs of biographical detail to near-essay fullness.” ―The Midwest Book Review - California Bookwatch

“This reference for criminal justice researchers provides a historical overview of prison institutions and systems around the world. Arranged alphabetically, the cross-referenced entries cover important facilities, prominent reformers, famous prisoners, major architects, and relevant legislation. The focus is on traditional correctional facilities, and prisoner-of-war camps and concentration camps are not covered. More than a dozen appendices offer supplemental information on such topics as prison slang and international standards for the treatment of prisoners.” ―Reference & Research Book News