| The Medieval Prison: A Social History Subjects: Prisons -- Italy -- History; Social history -- Medieval 500–1500; Imprisonment -- Italy -- History; Criminal justice Administration of -- Italy -- History; The modern prison is commonly thought to be the fruit of an Enlightenment penology that stressed man's ability to reform his soul. The Medieval Prison challenges this view by tracing the institution's emergence to a much earlier period beginning in the late thirteenth century, and in doing so provides a unique view of medieval prison life. G. Geltner is professor of medieval history at the University of Amsterdam. |