This book presents a summary of the key ideas that seek to explain criminal behaviour and the measures that have been developed to prevent crime. A broad overview of the criminal justice system is provided in order to explain the operations of the key criminal justice agencies and the processes that are involved in bringing offenders to justice. Readers are encouraged to develop the basic knowledge they have obtained in these areas by tackling a number of questions, making use of additional reading of key texts suggested in the book.

Attention is devoted to key sources from which information regarding crime and the criminal justice system can be explained. Good practice regarding the presentation and assessment of written work is also provided, in particular in connection with referencing. Readers are also introduced to the wide variety of methods that can be used to carry out criminological research and are invited to engage in exercises that include the marking of sample essays and the design of a questionnaire.

'Quite simply the best book a prospective undergraduate could read before turning up in September! Clearly explains most areas of Criminal Justice and assumes no prior knowledge. The study skill section would be invaluable throughout the first year of study and beyond. Already adopted as a recommended purchase to new students.'
-Dr Richard Peake, University of Leeds

'The author unravels complex criminological texts using friendly language and a style which is sure to benefit the student with scant knowledge and understanding. It is refreshing to find a core text that is so accessible to the undergraduate...highly recommended for practitioners, students, and anyone else engaged in teaching and learning in criminology and criminal justice studies.'
Christopher Blake, University of Teeside in Policing vol 4 no 3

Peter Joyce is Principal Lecturer in Sociology at Manchester Metropolitan University. He is an experienced and successful textbook author, and the author of Criminal Justice: an introduction to crime and the criminal justice system, also published by Willan Publishing.