ABSTRACT
According to the International Center for Prison Studies, over 10.35 million people across the globe are incarcerated, with the highest concentration being in the United States. While this number is staggering, the figure balloons when one considers all who are impacted by the carceral system, including individuals on probation or parole, those post-release, families of the incarcerated, victims of crime, and corrections employees. To understand what happens in prisons and jails, one first must contend with the critical role that these institutions play in society. The complexities of carceral life and its widespread imprint on society justify continued research on prisons and jails. While elements of carceral life have received ample scholarly attention, others remain vastly understudied. The chapter also presents an overview on the key concepts discussed in this book.
