Books:
* The Society of Captives: A Study of a Maximum Security Prison (1958) - This is arguably his most famous work, a pioneering study of prison life that examines the social structure and inmate culture within a maximum-security prison. It introduced concepts like "the pains of imprisonment" and the "importation model" of prison subculture.
* Crime and Society (1965) - A textbook that examines the social and cultural contexts of crime, exploring concepts like social control, deviance, and the criminal justice system.
* The Criminal Justice System (1967) - A textbook that provides an overview of the various components of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections.
* The Devil in Massachusetts: A Modern Inquiry into the Salem Witch Trials (1966) - An analysis of the Salem Witch Trials, examining the social and psychological factors that contributed to the hysteria.
* The Hidden Economy of Prison: A Study of Sub-Rosa Transactions in a Maximum Security Prison (1971) - This book examines the "hidden economy" of prison, including black markets, gambling, and other illicit activities.
Articles and Essays:
Sykes published numerous articles and essays on topics related to criminology, deviance, and the sociology of prison life. Some notable examples include:
* "The Pains of Imprisonment"
* "The Society of Captives: An Overview"
* "The Study of Prison Subculture"
* "The Criminal Justice System: A Critical Analysis"
His works contributed significantly to the understanding of the social organization of prisons, the dynamics of prison subculture, and the broader issues of crime and deviance in society.