David Downes is Professor Emeritus of Social Administration at the London School of Economics, UK.

Paul Rock is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the London School of Economics, UK.

Christine Chinkin is Professor of International Law at the London School of Economics, UK. She is an Overseas Affiliated Faculty Member, University of Michigan and has been a Scholar in Residence for Amnesty International (2005).

Conor Gearty is Professor Human Rights Law, and Director of the Centre for the Study of Human Rights at the London School of Economics, UK.

Foreword by Noam Chomsky Introduction Part 1: Seminal Influences, Part 2: Gradations of Social Control: From Moral Panics to Long-term Imprisonment, Part 3: The Extremities of Control: Torture and the Death Penalty, Part 4: Visions of Social Control, Part 5: The Theory and Practice of Denial, Part 6: Ways Ahead

The work of Stanley Cohen over four decades has come to acquire a classical status in the fields of criminology, sociology and human rights. His writing, research, teaching and practical engagement in these fields have been at once rigorously analytical and intellectually inspiring. It amounts to a unique contribution, immensely varied yet with several unifying themes, and it has made, and continues to make, a lasting impact around the world. His work thus has a protean character and scope which transcend time and place.
This book of essays in Stanley Cohen's honour aims to build on and reflect some of his many-sided contributions. It contains chapters by some of the world's leading thinkers as well as the rising generation of scholars and practitioners whose approach has been shaped in significant respects by his own.