Examines prisons and prison systems throughout the world. Prisons have undoubtedly changed over the years, as have penal practices in general, though more so in some countries than others. Prisons and prison systems have long been an overlooked part of criminal justice research, and as a result, limited material is available on many institutions. This comprehensive encyclopedia provides an historical overview of institutions and systems around the world, as well as penal theories, prisoner culture and life, and notable prisoners and personnel. Readers will find a wealth of information including material on such famous prisons as the Tower of London and Alcatraz, as well as on such topics as boot camps and parole. The other entries include Devil's Island, supermaximum prisons, Nelson Mandela, the Pennsylvania system, and Amnesty International. Also, numerous appendixes list famous prisoners, prison museums, prison slang, and more.