The introductory chapter outlines the key concepts that serve as the foundation for the discussions in the book. It places particular emphasis on the idea of a punitive society, exploring its implications both globally and within the specific socio-political context of Lithuania. It then focuses on outlining the book's structure, explaining the conceptual logic behind its parts, and summarising the content of the individual chapters. In doing so, the introduction provides a clear roadmap for understanding how the book approaches punitiveness as a multidimensional phenomenon and prepares the reader for the themes developed throughout the book.