The Punitive Turn in an Age of Vengeance, 2001–2009

Abstract

The 9/11 attacks in 2001 propelled the long-building American currents of vengeance and punishment further onto the world stage under the leadership of George W. Bush and Richard Cheney. U.S. torture of terrorist suspects highlighted that vengeance (and broke many laws) but also served to obscure how much torture took place within stateside criminal justice.