The Catholic Church has had a dramatic impact on both the structure and understanding of criminal justice up to the present. This book surveys the history of the church to suggest that despite demonstrable abuses, a humane and redemptive theory of criminal justice can be constructed that is harmonious with biblical sources, tradition, and current normative emphases in Catholic social thought.

"Andrew Skotnicki... has done a great service by producing in this book a carefully articulated and historically grounded Catholic theory of criminal justice.... A careful, concise, and accessible survey.... Skotnicki writes clearly. The book is full of historical and theological insight, and—most importantly— it gives a much-needed rationale for injecting American criminal justice practices with a strong dose of humanity.... A well argued, and engagingly written book. Other fruitful questions, too, will arise for each of its (hopefully many) readers." - Modern Theology, April 2009