Convict Criminology for the Future

"With the astonishing expansion of criminology courses across the world, I became convinced, at one point, that there were more criminologists than criminals. Thankfully, Convict Criminology provides an appropriate sieve, as its contributions derive from prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and academics who work or conduct research in correctional institutions. Proximity to the world of custody entails the choice of fitting methodologies, namely ethnography and self-ethnography, which distinguishes this criminological school from other ‘distant’, conventional, lifeless perspectives. Sarcastically, one may suggest that Convict Criminology was bound to see its inception in the US, the country with the highest prisoners’ population in the world. This excellent collection, however, is international in nature, offers several analytical angles while addressing national as well as global issues. This book is a breath of fresh air."

-Vincenzo Ruggiero, Ph.D., Professor, Middlesex University

"This thoughtful book assembles the most current research and thinking on the subject of Convict Criminology and moves the needle forward in terms of scholarly research and thinking. The contributions are written by a team of internationally respected and diverse scholars. Convict Criminology for the future will be of interest to researchers, students and activists."

-Professor Richard S. Jones, Ph.D., Marquette University

"Reaffirming the unique scholarly value of direct experience to the wider field of carceral studies, this important collection both expands on and refines what Convict Criminology has come to mean – as an established if still evolving academic subfield with increasingly global reach and as a distinctly collective project with profound social implications. The thematically varied and conceptually rich contributions deepen our understanding of the layered harms of in/justice systems across a range of jurisdictions and offer nuanced detail of the significant obstacles impacted scholars encounter. There could hardly be a more pertinent moment or a more fertile political context in which to pay close attention to this growing network of compelling voices."

-Jessica Bird, PhD, Visiting Assistant Professor, Criminology, Law & Justice Department, University of Illinois at Chicago

"This book serves as a capstone summarization of current and past research presentations of convict criminology scholars and illustrates the development of new and unique theoretical perspectives. Convict Criminology for the Future will make an excellent addition to courses of theory, practice, prisons, and correctional resources. It can be both a stand-alone text or a supportive text for courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Convict Criminology for the Future will serve as an intriguing and, at times, a controversial source of discussion for courses, seminars, and other academic pursuits. This book will not replace the original Convict Criminology text. It will, however, serve to provide new challenges to policy, possibly influence legislation, or as Steve Richards remarks, ‘We have been tough on crime long enough, now it is time to be smart on crime."

- excerpt from 'Contemporary Justice Review', Matthew J. Sheridan, Department of Criminal Justice, Anthropology Sociology and Human Rights, Georgian Court University, USA

"Jeffrey Ian Ross and Francesca Vianello write about the growth of convict criminology and recount the development of convict criminology over twenty-five years since its emergence at the annual meetings of the ASC. Ross also mentions the expansion of prison abolition as a movement as a condition that has contributed to the emergence of convict criminology. What these authors accomplish is bringing the standpoint of women more fully into convict criminology and allowing for a feminist perspective within convict criminology—one that is very much needed and appreciated.

This volume made me reconsider how I can help ensure that the insights, stories, and views of convict criminologists can be put to use to promote social change. Convict Criminology for the Future should be read widely by criminologists, as well as by anthropologists, geographers, sociologists, and anyone interested in punishment and imprisonment. "

- from Critical Criminology: An International Journal, Kevin Walby, Review of CONVICT CRIMINOLOGY FOR THE FUTURE, published: 2021