This standard commentary is a commentary for practitioners by practitioners and also sufficiently examines the judicature and the academic opinion. The editors and contributors have acquired an abundance of experience with the penal system as practitioners, criminal policy makers, and researchers. The revision of the 5th edition brings this commentary up to date with current legislature, judicature, and literature. The new edition once again provides the practitioner with a current and reliable reference work for practical questions relating to the penal system.

This commentary is geared towards practitioners in correctional facilities and in the areas of justice administration and criminal justice as well as tutors and students in the penal system field.

Hans-Dieter Schwind, Ruhr-Universität Bochum; Alexander Böhm, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz; Jörg-Martin Jehle, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen; Klaus Laubenthal, Universität Würzburg.