Background Information
Prison and corrections facilities house individuals who have been charged with, or convicted of, breaking various laws. While they have existed for centuries, the use of prisons and correctional facilities and their efficacy have long been debated. Use the following sources to learn more about correctional facilities and the political, legal, and social issues surrounding them.
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new windowGives overviews of major topic areas. Includes articles, lists of other resources, and Pro and Con arguments for most topics.
- Encyclopedia of Race and RacismExamines the anthropological, sociological, historical, economic, and scientific theories of race and racism in the modem era.
- Encyclopedia of Prisons and Correctional FacilitiesProvides hundreds of entries aiming to provide a critical overview of penal institutions within a historical and contemporary framework.
- Encyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal JusticeEncyclopedia that looks at law enforcement, crime and punishment. Contains entries on prison history, women's prisons, and rehabilitation among others.