Books on slavery, the prison system and the Harlem Renaissance are among this year's winners of J. Anthony Lukas prizes, named for the late author and journalist.

Shane Bauer's ``American Prison: Reporter's Undercover Journey into the Business of Punishment'' won the $10,000 Lukas Book Prize for writing that combines ``literary grace,'' deep research and social impact. Two books won the $25,000 Lukas Work-In-Progress Awards: Maurice Chammah's ``Let the Lord Sort Them'' and Steven Dudley's ``Mara: The Making of the MS-13.''

Andrew Delbanco's ``The War Before the War,'' a history of fugitive slaves; and Jeffrey C. Stewart's biography of Harlem Renaissance leader Alain Locke, ``The New Negro,'' each won $10,000 Mark Lynton History prizes.

The Columbia Journalism School and the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard announced the awards Wednesday.