50 Facts Everyone Should Know About Crime and Punishment in Britain by Dr Adam Lynes and Professor James Treadwell

50 Facts Everyone Should Know About Crime and Punishment in Britain
By Dr Adam Lynes and Professor James Treadwell
Published by Bristol University Press (27 March 2019)
I was sent a Advance Reader Copy from the publisher

Publisher's description
Are you the kind of person who watches crime drama and real-life crime documentaries on television?
Are you fascinated by the twists and turns of justice and the law? 
But how much do you really know about key issues in crime, crime control, policing and punishment in the UK? 
This exciting, dynamic and accessible book, written by leading experts, presents 50 key facts related to crime and criminal justice policy in Britain. Did you know that, contrary to public belief, in the UK a life sentence does actually last for life? And that capital punishment in the UK was abolished for murder in 1965 but the Death Penalty was a legally defined punishment as late as 1998? Offering thought-provoking insights into the study of crime, this fascinating go to book is packed with facts and figures revealing the myths and realities of crime in contemporary Britain.

My verdict

This book has been compiled by two criminologists, with input from 50 crime and policing experts across the UK. The aim is to strip away some of the common myths and misconceptions surrounding crime, punishment, prisons and technology. It's split into ten parts: Historical Context; Crime in Britain Today; International Comparisons; The Police; Prison Realities; Criminal Justice; Black Market Britain; Violent Britain; Victims; and Crime and Technology. 

It doesn't just provide the facts but also encourages questions. The first of the 50 facts, about crime statistics, stresses the importance of remaining sceptical and not to take statistics at face value. Each section focuses on one particular fact, and uses statistics and academic resources to discuss the truth behind it. I learned a lot from the book (too much to describe here), but to give some examples I read about the true definition of arson, the reporting of (and dealing with) hate crimes, length of life sentences, the average cost of a contract murder in the UK, consent to bodily harm and so much more. 

Did you know that judges in courts of England and Wales DON'T use gavels (despite what the TV crime series show us)? Did you know Harold Shipman was Britain's most prolific serial killer, but no one actually knows how many people he killed. Did you know the fake medicines trade is now the world's largest market for criminal traffickers? I could go on...

This book packs a lot of facts within its 300+ pages - often surprising and even shocking. It's a fascinating resource and should appeal to budding criminologists, crime fiction/true crime fans and, of course, writers.