Corrections_Today_Spring_2026_Vol.88_No.1

COMMUNICATIONS & PUBLICATIONS

T he American Correctional Association is pleased to offer book reviews. For more information or to become a book reviewer, contact Kirk Raymond at (703) 224-0193 or kraymond@aca.org. Bookshelf

Cultural impact of prisons worldwide Dr. Coyle also relates how his tory has influenced corrections in the countries that he’s observed. Russian prisons, for example, may reflect the Gulags of 20 th century. Prisons built during the colonial years in Africa resemble prisons built in Europe: large, imposing edifices intended to convince local citizens to obey the laws of the land. In some countries, prisons reflect the political realities of that geographic area. Dr. Coyle devotes a chapter to the Jericho Monitoring Mission. The Jericho Monitoring Mission was an independent com mission set up to monitor whether five Palestinians who were com plicit in the assassination of Israeli Minister Rehavam Ze’evi were ful filling their prison sentences under Yassar Arafat, who was overseeing the men. Dr. Coyle explains how the Second Intifada affected the transfer of these men from Ramal lah Prison on the West Bank to a prison in Jericho. In addition to historical and politi cal influences, Dr. Coyle details how social realities also affect prisons. This is particularly true in several countries in Central America, where

governor (administrator), consul tant, or advisor for prisons and governmental bodies around the world. Dr. Coyle also was Professor of Prison Studies at King’s College London. After his introduction, Dr. Coyle relates his experiences as a prison administrator in facilities in the United Kingdom. In addition to the UK, Dr. Coyle presents his personal experiences in prisons around the globe, including Rus sia, Cambodia, Northern Ireland, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Venezuela, Palestine, Israel, South Africa, Mozambique, Canada and the United States. As Dr. Coyle shares his observa tions, insights and involvements in various prisons in these nations, several themes emerge: – Overcrowding. – Increase in numbers of incar cerated individuals. – Prisons as detention centers. – Lack of resources. – Prison staffing problems. – Insufficient time for offenders to have visits from family and friends. – Prison violence. – Needs of women offenders. (Chapter 5 is devoted to this topic).

Prisons of the World By Andrew Coyle, Policy Press, November 4, 2021, 246pp. REVIEWED BY Mary Ellen

W hen I first started read ing Prisons of the World, I anticipated a feel-good book that would compare inferior prisons abroad with our superior correctional facilities here in the United States. The author, however, takes an unexpected approach. In the Introduction of his book, Dr. Coyle relates his background in prisons, which is extensive and impressive. Dr. Coyle has first-hand experience as a prison Nourse, Ed.D., Idaho Department of Correction (retired), Affiliate Member, National Coalition of Independent Scholars

Corrections Today | Spring 2026

68