From drilling holes into the skulls of prisoners, to solitary confinement, to deploying a range of psychological therapies, society has attempted to deal with the problem of criminals in myriad ways over the last few centuries.

This analytical history explores the ever-changing approaches to punishing wrongdoers and preventing further offenses, the philosophical beliefs underlying them, and their relative effects. It discusses such core issues as the role of free will and determination, the root causes of crime, and the effects of studying crimes versus studying criminals. It highlights the continuous debate regarding rehabilitation and punishment, the history of biologically and psychologically based treatments, and the principles of effective intervention, concluding with discussion of what lies ahead.