This book discusses ten global "hot topics" in crime and punishment. Some are well- established within the field of criminology, such as patterns of criminal behavior, juvenile delinquency, drug trafficking, policing, and punishment; but others are emerging topics that have not been well studied globally, such as violence against women, hate crimes, and gun control. Within each topic, the book explores how eight countries experience the issue, highlighting similarities across different places as well as unique treatments of the problem. For example, the chapter on punishment addresses the widespread use of incarceration, but also considers different philosophies on its purpose and effectiveness in the face of large-scale criminal events. The country narratives provide historical context for the particular crime or punishment issue, current trends, and relevant statistical data for describing the extent of the issue and changes over time, with contemporary examples.