The chronological approach allows students to explore punishment with regards to change and continuity on a comparative basis.

The book reflects on key works, such as by Michel Foucault, enabling students to gain an understanding of the important debates over punishment in the modern world.

Discussing punishment in relation to key themes such as gender, race, and class across the world encourages students to view punishment not as a progressive journey to the twenty-first century, but one that changes and adapts in different geographical and periodical circumstances.