On the Penitentiary System in the United States is a "graceful and thoughtful study of importance to the history of correctional theory and practice, and its republican by Southern Illinois University Press, with an excellent concise introduction by Prof. Thorsten Sellin, is commendable."-Norvel Morris, The Nation

"The Words of these two distinguished Frenchmen have a remarkably correct application in this day and generation.  This book has a historic significance.  It may bring to some of us a rather modest reflection that perhaps some of out great ideas were actuating people's minds more than a century ago.  In any event, the text will put many of the practitioners of modern-day penology to the test.  This book is heartily recommended."-Sanford Bates,
Federal Probation

This book "not only provides some of the very best source material on the historical background and early development of the American prison system but it also constitutes a valuable contribution to social history and sociology commentary."-Harry Elmer Barnes