Abolitionist Voices - by David Gordon Scott

Book Synopsis

Why have so many radical thinkers advocated for the abolition of prisons and punishment? And why have their ideas been so difficult to popularize or garner the political will for change? This book outlines several different approaches to penal abolitionism and showcases their calls for the ending of legal coercion, domination, and repression.

This exciting and innovative edited collection shows how abolitionist ideas have continued topicality and relevance in the present day and how they can collectively help with devising new ways of thinking about social problems, as well as suggesting alternatives to existing penal policies, practices and institutions.

Review Quotes

'Abolitionist Voices provides an excellent collection of thought-provoking and politically engaged arguments for abolitionism. Its breadth is impressive: from underpinnings of colonialism, slavery and political economy to the ideas of Kropotkin, Foucault and others.' Christopher Cunneen, University of Technology Sydney

'At a moment in which the powers of state punishment are expanding through both familiar and newfound techniques, Envisioning Abolition and Abolitionist Voices make timely and thought-provoking interventions.' Radical Philosophy

About the Author

David Gordon Scott works at The Open University and is Co-Founding Editor of the journal Justice, Power and Resistance.