Bringing together leading international researchers, this book reframes the political economy of punishment, analysing penality within the current economic situation and connecting contemporary penal changes with political and cultural processes. "Amid the recent resurgence of interest in the political economy of punishment, this timely and valuable collection brings fresh insights as well as building on established paradigms. The book, which features some of the leading figures in the field, ranges widely across countries and explores a variety of approaches, yet holds nicely together within a coherent shared project. It should reach a wide and attentive audience."? - Nicola Lacey, School Professor of Law, Gender and Social Policy, London School of Economics, UK