Kathleen A. Fox Libri

While many studying criminology learn to examine offenders, offending, and its consequences, few actually journey into the physical world of prisons to meet offenders face-to-face. Created specifically for criminology students and equally useful for current researchers and practitioners, this book serves as a step-by-step toolkit on how to humanely conduct research with populations in the correctional system. The authors’ combined 60+ years of experience allows them to provide field-tested practical advice for researching youth and adults on probation, on parole, or incarceration. The book guides readers through practical concerns, such as gaining access and building rapport with offenders and those who monitor them; the types of correctional data that can be collected; informed consent process and research ethics; and the logistics of doing research. Through personal stories, “what if” scenarios, and case studies, as well as examples of real-world tools like checklists and sample forms, the authors share methods of how to overcome the obstacles that criminologists must face as they learn to work with those behind bars.

In a series of well-constructed vignettes, Susan M. Lane uncovers, unearths and exposes the secretive side of human existence. Sometimes the evil that resides within the deepest recesses of the human heart wins through while at others, the more noble and wonderful side of human nature shines. In some cases, fear drives badly made decisions with fatal consequences. The author exposes human frailties and failings in this surgically precise dissection of the human psyche.

Gary Bird lived in the fishing village of Porthgwidden in Cornwall. He was lonely and sad because he was so very different from the many sea birds who snubbed him and called him names. One evening Gary made a wish on a shooting star that he could be special and make a difference...