Analyzing Contemporary Introductory Textbooks on Correctional Administration/Management/Organization: A Content Analysis

Abstract

This book review essay discusses and analyzes how introductory textbooks on correctional administration, written primarily for the American university market, frame the discourse on this subject matter. The writer presents both quantitative and qualitative empirical evidence of coverage given to prison administration. In addition to traditional content analysis methods, the authors of these books were contacted and asked to explain the decision-making processes they used for content inclusion, exclusion and/or minimization. The paper concludes with a handful of recommendations on improving texts in this subdiscipline.

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“…Textbooks act as gatekeepers to knowledge by excluding some topics, while profiling others (Ross, 2008). Scholars increasingly recognize the importance of theory in textbooks.…”

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“…The large majority of classes assign textbooks for the class, which provides a framework for the curriculum of what will be studied. Ross (2008) states, introductory textbooks are a crucial function in "framing and interpreting the discussion of important academic disciplines by defining the boundar ies for the inclusion and exclusion of appropriate dis course" (p. 447). Naturally not all textbook content is covered and an instructor may place higher importance on some areas over others; nonetheless the textbook provides a good idea of what is likely to be included or at least an understanding of what is available to be covered.…”