Positive Criminology

‘Criminology emphasises when to exclude more than how to include. This collection explores in an evocative way the alternatives of growth by caring, of picking strengths and expanding them rather than picking weaknesses and fixing them. Rich essays give helpful glimpses of how it is possible to expand capacities in ways that transform incapacities like criminal predation on others. It is a generative process and this is a generative book about obstacles becoming opportunities that grow resilience. We learn that the more important thing about "wounded healers" is not that they are wounded (the negative) but that they heal (the positive).’ - John Braithwaite, Distinguished Professor, Australian National University, Australia

‘This book provides fascinating reading for professionals who aspire to promote human dignity in the framework of criminal justice. The editors have succeeded in presenting a collection of essays convincingly explaining why the concept of positive criminology can contribute to that goal.’ - Dr. Marc Groenhuijsen, President, World Society of Victimology

‘What if criminology and criminal justice systems moved away from an obsession with punishment, retribution, social isolation, and shaming and focused instead on compassion, strengths, and reconciliation? Would not such a system be transformative? This groundbreaking book, Positive Criminology, in fact, is transformative itself; it is a must-read for criminologists, addictions counsellors, social workers, and researchers in the field.

Positive Criminology turns our attention away from the negative in criminology and victimology and provides a new way of thinking about crime, victimization, and criminal justice. Editors Natti Ronel and Dana Segev have assembled in this fascinating volume the most innovative theorists and practitioners from across the globe and in diverse professions to show the power of goodness and a restorative-strengths orientation as applied to people in trouble with the law and to criminal justice institutions. This is the book, that, without even realizing it, I have been waiting for. Other sociologists and criminologists, no doubt, will say this is the book they have been waiting for too.’ - Katherine van Wormer, Professor of Social Work, University of Northern Iowa, USA