Prison and Prisoners: Examples from the Middle Ages in the Maghreb by Mustafa Nashat (Book Review)

Abstract

This is a critique of Prison and Prisoners: Examples from the Middle Ages in the Maghreb by Mustafa Nashat. It introduces the book, discusses its major areas of focus, and presents its academic context. Special attention is paid to the term "prison," the kinds of crimes that lead to imprisonment, and the types of prisoners and their characteristics. The review points out some of the issues missing from the book such as women, dhimmis, and mercenaries. It makes use of comparisons with similar writings, such as The Penal System and Prison in Middle Age Maghreb by Al Hussein Bouleqteeb and Prison in the Medieval Maghreb by Najmeddine Al-Hentati, in addition to Western studies. It also makes reference to various sources in order to investigate the roots of the terms used in the book and to clarify some missing details. The review intends to call attention to some of the polemics concerning the history of prisons and prisoners in the Maghreb in the middle ages, encouraging researchers and historians to continue their investigative efforts to extend our knowledge of these issues.