Saving Children from a Life of Crime

Internationally recognized author Farrington (Cambridge) and US criminologist Welsh (Univ. of Massachusetts, Lowell) have applied a psychological theoretical perspective and "gold standard" experimental methodology to delinquency programs....Recommended. * CHOICE *
[T]hese two prominent criminologists have written a book on one of social science's most important matters, and one that embodies the essence of good science: the development and articulation of good ideas, a solid discussion of theory and research, and appropriate policy proscriptions that are accessible and relevant to academics, policy-makers, and lay persons. * Journal of Youth & Adolescence *
Overall, Saving Children from a Life of Crime is an insightful and useful text. This book's main strength is that it is a 'one-stop shop' for everything we need to know about risk factors for delinquency and effective early prevention programmes. It is very well researched and the information is both up-to-date and trustworthy. * British Journal of Criminology *
The current willingness to allow at-risk children to develop unimpeded into serious, chronic offenders represents an inexcusable policy failure and threat to public safety. Farrington and Welsh balance this "bad news" with invaluable "good news": there is a growing body of evidence-based practices that "work" to save troubled youngsters. Their scholarly but accessible analysis makes a compelling case that the knowledge now exists to construct a national system for early intervention. Perhaps more important, Saving Children from a Life of Crime has the power to inspire in its readers the political will to make this ambitious vision a reality. Let the reading begin! * Francis T. Cullen, Distinguished Research Professor, University of Cincinnati *
Well researched and well reasoned, pragmatic and clearly written: A call to action grounded in science. This book should guide the creation of a national strategy for preventing crime before it starts. * J. David Hawkins, Endowed Professor of Prevention, School of Social Work, University of Washington *
This volume has essential, well-summarized information for decision makers, policy officials, and practitioners interested in designing and evaluating programs to reduce juvenile delinquency. Based on a sweeping survey of the scientific evidence for risk and protective factors, the expert authors succinctly indicate which programs have the highest efficacy in preventing and reducing juvenile delinquency and which programs more than pay for themselves. This volume is the most convincing and the most practical of all the books on reducing juvenile delinquency published over the past decades. * Rolf Loeber, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry, and Professor of Psychology and Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh *
Farrington and Welsh have produced a timely and important work for all self-respecting democracies. Every careful student of human development since Plato understands that preventing crime as a way of life starts at conception. Farrington and Welsh offer the up-to-date knowledge needed to change outdated policies. We cannot afford to continue to lock up offenders as if we were still in the early 19th century. Giving support to at-risk families and children is the only rational and humane way of dealing with crime as a way of life. This book should be mandatory for all social science students and policy makers. * Richard E. Tremblay, Chair of Child Development, University of Montreal *