From the Publisher: Amid rising public concern about the proliferation and privatization of prisons, and their promise of enormous profits, world-renowned author and activist Angela Y. Davis argues for the abolition of the prison system as the dominant way of responding to America's social ills. "In thinking about the possible obsolescence of the prison," Davis writes, "we should ask how it is that so many people could end up in prison without major...

To response to acts of delinquency and criminal offenses the US states of Texas, Tennessee, and Missouri have resorted to public humiliation in lew of jail time. The basic idea in quite simple, once they have been arrested, the offenders must choose between jail or public humiliation. The public humiliation can take the form of walking with a sign explaining the reason why you were arrested or having your picture broadcasted on the local television....

"35,000 Americans are arrested every day, and the number of prisoners has increased 500% over the last three decades. Truthout Executive Director Maya Schenwar shows that incarceration actually doesn't deter crime, looks at its devastating effect on families and communities, and offers more humane and more effective alternatives"--