This volume investigates the evolution and divergence of sentencing policies and penal practices across various Western nations over the last quarter-century. Editors Michael Tonry and Richard S. Frase compile original essays from leading legal scholars to analyze how different jurisdictions manage criminal sanctions. The text examines the socio-political drivers behind policy shifts and evaluates the practical outcomes of diverse sentencing frameworks in a comparative context.

Experts recognize this collection as a foundational comparative resource for students and practitioners of criminal justice policy. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the rigorous cross-national data provided by the contributors.