Blogs

Public Criminology

• “Ban the Box” Now Law in Minnesota
  You might have heard that Minnesota Governor Dayton just signed Freedom to Marry legislation, but he also made Ban the Box the law-of-the-land-of-10,000-lakes.  Megan Boldt describes it succinctly at twincities.com: Gov. Mark Dayton this week signed a bill that would ban employers from considering a job applicant’s criminal history until the applicant has an interview...
  
  
• Weaver & Uggen Event on Tuesday 4/30
  Join me and the incomparable Vesla Weaver this TUESDAY, for a spirited conversation on crime, punishment, and democracy at the Hubert H. Humphrey Forum.  As moderator, I’ll either be channeling Charlie Rose or Axl Rose, depending on the crowd. All are welcome and admission is free, but advance registration is appreciated. How America’s Public...
  
  
• Restoring Gun Rights to Felons?
  When I discuss voting rights for people convicted of felonies, I’m often asked whether I’d favor restoring gun rights as well. Hostile talk show hosts sometimes take this tack, perhaps anticipating a knee-jerk liberal response that will lay bare the contradictions in my position. But I always respond that I...
  
  
• Two Ways to Reduce Crime
  We all want lower crime rates, but ”how we get there” matters. Rick Rosenfeld and Steve Messner see two basic approaches: (1) we can lock down criminal opportunities through surveillance and control; or, (2) we can reduce criminal motivations by building up the social safety net. Their new Social Welfare Critique of...
  
  
• Charis Kubrin on California Prisons
  Criminologist Charis Kubrin of UC-Irvine went head to head with former Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley yesterday on the issue of prison downsizing in California. In my view, Professor Kubrin’s presentation here is as sharp, clear, and thoughtful as her academic writing. I’ve always found the long-form live interview...
  
  
• TSP Crime Features and Volume
  Though these pages might seem a little quiet lately, rest assured that we’re plugging away on some extra-good crime and punishment features.  I’m happily immersed in final edits on some really exciting new pieces for TSP — and our crime volume, due out this fall with WW Norton. Like what? Look...
  
  
• Mental Health and Second Chances
  Today’s post is coauthored with Jason Schnittker for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Human Capital blog.  More than 650,000 inmates are released from prison every year.[i]  Although their debt to society may be paid, their struggles have just begun.  Reentry is not easy.  Former inmates need to find a place...
  
  
• A Broader-based Response to Shootings
  I’ve been reluctant to write about the terrible events at Sandy Hook Elementary School because the wounds are still too fresh for any kind of dispassionate analysis. As a social scientist, however, I’m disappointed by the fear-mongering and selective presentations of the research evidence I’ve read in reports and op-eds...
  
  
• A Father’s Grief and Grace in Newtown
  from CNN (take 3 minutes to watch the video if you have a chance): Robbie Parker has a message for the family of the gunman who killed his 6-year-old daughter and 19 of her school mates. “I can’t imagine how hard this experience must be for you, and I want...
  
  
• 11-year-old attempts carjacking at gunpoint
  In Oregon, an 11-year-old boy is being arraigned on allegations of first- and second-degree robbery and unlawful use of a firearm.  His accomplice was a 7-year-old boy. The Oregonian reports: Police said the 11-year-old was armed with a loaded .22-caliber derringer and threatened Amy Garrett, 22, in her pickup while...