Prisons and Crime in Latin America

This groundbreaking work examines Latin America's prison crisis and the failure of mass incarceration policies. It highlights the impacts of internal drug markets and the increase in the number of imprisoned women, and shows how prisons are not isolated from society but are sites of active criminal networks. Prisons have become an integral part of the crime problem in Latin America.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 11 March 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This groundbreaking work delves into the profound crisis of prisons in Latin America, shedding light on the failure of mass incarceration policies to address the region's escalating crime rates. As crime rates soared in the past few decades, policymakers resorted to incarceration as a perceived solution to public outrage. However, the unintended consequences of this approach have been devastating. Despite the increasing number of inmates, crime rates continued to rise, highlighting the limited effectiveness of incarceration in deterring criminal behavior.

To unravel the complexities of this issue, the book presents new cross-national data derived from extensive surveys of inmates across the region. Through this comprehensive analysis, it reveals the transformative journey of prisons from instruments of incapacitation, deterrence, and rehabilitation to drivers of violence and criminality. Bergman and Fondevila shed light on the profound impacts of internal drug markets and the staggering increase in the number of imprisoned women, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach to address the root causes of crime.

Furthermore, the book underscores the interconnectedness of prisons with society, highlighting how they have become sites of active criminal networks. Many inmates maintain fluid criminal connections with the outside world, perpetuating a cycle of violence and recidivism. Instead of reducing crime, prisons have inadvertently become an integral part of the crime problem in Latin America.

This thought-provoking work calls for a reassessment of criminal justice policies in the region, emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation, crime prevention, and community-based solutions. It serves as a powerful reminder that the pursuit of justice should not be solely focused on incarceration but should encompass a comprehensive approach that addresses the underlying social, economic, and political factors contributing to crime. By addressing the root causes of crime and promoting a more equitable society, Latin America can strive towards a safer and more prosperous future.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108738194