Surveillance and Crime
- Roy Coleman - University of Liverpool, UK
- Michael McCahill - University of Hull, UK
Key Approaches to Criminology
Surveillance has a long-standing relationship with crime and its identification, prevention, detection, and punishment. With information on each citizen spanning up to 700 databases and over 4 million CCTV cameras in the UK alone, many have put forward the notion that we live in a 'surveillance society'. This book critically explores this notion in relation to the development and uses of surveillance technologies, the intensification of monitoring and control, and the uneven impact this is having upon different populations in modern society.
Offering a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between surveillance, crime, and criminal justice, this book explores:
- The development of surveillance technologies within a broad historical context
- How 'new surveillance' technologies are shaped by existing social relations, political practices, cultural traditions and organizational contexts
- The implications of the use of surveillance in responding to crime (including biometrics, DNA samples and electronic monitoring)
- How 'new' surveillance technologies reinforce 'old' social divisions – particularly along the lines of class, race, gender and age
The book draws upon theoretical debates from a range of disciplines to shed light on this topical subject. Engaging and authoritative, this is an important read for advanced students and academics in criminology, criminal justice, social policy, and sociology.
'This is a book about surveillance - a theoretical and empirical analysis of its historical emergence through to its contemporary uses and abuses - but it is much, much more than that. The authors skilfully lead us, via the idea and practices of surveillance, to core issues of 'crime', power and the state. Whether you have read every or no book about surveillance, you must read this one.'
Steve Tombs
Professor of Sociology, Liverpool John Moores University
'This is an excellent book, well-argued, well-referenced and important. The authors' analysis of how 'crime' and surveillance intersect with relations of power is superb. A significant and original contribution to both surveillance and corporate crime literatures'
Laureen Snider
Professor of Sociology, Queen's University, Canada
This book gives the reader a good introduction to the many facets of modern surveillance. It is well researched and the authors present this in a way that is accessible for the students.
Coleman offers a good overview of various debates on surveillance. This is good for the part of a third year core theory unit taught at MMU which focuses on cities, exclusion, regulation and surveillance.
An absolute must for any student wishing to get to grips with and develop an understanding of surveillance and its pevasive nature.
May be useful as supplementary reading for our first year module on punishment. Particularly pp.16-31 due to the links with Foucault's work on punishment and surveillance.
Brilliant... an important addition to current research in this area. Well argued developing the core issues of 'crime' 'power' and the state. Very relevant for the current Crime & Security module.
An excellent, informed and thought provoking text for undergraduate study.This will be the key text for this module as it reflects learning outcomes of the module.
An attempt, mainly successful, to provide a resource for those interested in both the ethics and processes of the surveillance society.
One area which could be addressed min future editions is the issue of the public carrying out surveillance on the state.
This is an excellent, well structured approach to subject of surveillance and crime. The book will provide students with a thoroughly grounded approach to the theory of surveillance - linked very clearly to wider social and global developments surrounding surveillance. It will also give them the intellectual tools to approach all aspects of surveillance as we observe in modern society.
A useful overview of key issues in surveillance, particularly in relation to power, policing and cultures of control
