Routledge Library Editions: Criminology – serie

Reissuing seven works originally published between 1940 and 1997, this collection spans the time in which Criminology has been a recognised academic discipline. It offers a set of excellent works on diverse aspects of the field from nineteenth century criminality to burglary in the 1980s. The set includes a Dictionary and several works looking at the social and psychological side of crime.

Originally published in 1981. This book unifies the diverse literature on the role of environmental factors in the uneven distribution of crime in society and provides an assessment of the validity of environmental explanations and their utility. It analyses and assesses the major work done by researchers in Britain, America and elsewhere. The extent of the differences between communities is reviewed from a number of perspectives. Offences are examined by location, nature and seriousness. Offenders are located in their environment and variations according to sex, age, race, social class, and recidivism are considered. The risks of victimisation also reflect environmental differences and need to be set in the context of wider community perceptions, fears, and attitudes to crime. The role of the community in the distribution of justice is also discussed.

Originally published in 1940. This ground-breaking work formed the foundation for modern criminology becoming an academic discipline within UK sociological studies. It concerns the history of crime, its causes and treatment in England during the preceding twenty-five years or so. Mannheim, through this and later studies, went on to found the criminology department at LSE.The book offers an evaluation of the criminological implications of the War and early post-War period as well as an examination of the practical working of the new penal machinery built up by the Reform Acts passed just prior to the War. The author produced a scientific account of the post-War state of crime, beginning with a critical examination of the structure and interpretation of English Criminal Statistics followed by a survey of the principal criminological features of the period between the two Wars. Significant aspects are dealt with in a separate chapters - four devoted to problems of work and leisure (Unemployment and Strikes, Business Administration, Alcoholism, and Gambling), four others to those of certain specific sections of the population (Juvenile Delinquency, Female Delinquency and Prostitution, Recidivism).This is a fascinating read for both the historian and the criminologist.

Originally published in 1997. The use of postmodern criminology’s conceptual tools offers the potential for the development of a better understanding of the various configurations of repressive forces and directions for social change. This excellent text introduces the reader to the core ideas concerning subjectivity as it is related to discourses and how the discursive construction of social reality takes place. It discusses some of the key themes, dealing with both theoretical integrative work, applications, and recent developments in studying postmodern criminology. It is intended for students as well as those who are more familiar with the subject. This book is composed of twelve essays organized into three parts, this important work contributes to the big discussion among criminologists about the postmodern aspects of crime.

Originally published in 1945. This book presents the developing opinions contemporary to the post-war period, of the social and psychological roots of criminal actions as seen through the viewpoint of a practising magistrate. Looking at the psychological treatment of delinquents in particular, using actual case experiences, various causes are illustrated, and future preventative interventions are suggested and categorised. Early childhood developmental effects leading to characteristic criminality are distinguished from those societal factors with later and lesser influence, in the opinion of the author. The book discusses the court systems for judging family disputes and divorce in comparison to criminal cases amongst its investigation into the cause of criminality. The author’s ground-breaking work led to much reform in the UK judicial system and this book is a fascinating insight to the history of psychology, law and criminology.

Originally published in 1986. Based on interviews with men in prison, this study takes two groups of convicted criminals: men convicted of robbery, and, for comparison, a sample of men convicted for breaking into commercial premises. It focuses on how victims are chosen, the decision-making processes involved, and the characteristics of those selected and those rejected as unsuitable potential victim material. Also described are the pattern of the crime (time, place, gain), and the ways in which people become involved in it. Allowing several convicted robbers describe in their own way why they did it and what they thought and felt about it, Dermot Walsh presents a disquieting picture, in which robbery appears to be an attractive proposition to several different groups of men, facing quite different circumstances, and for different reasons.

Originally published in 1983. This Dictionary provides a wide-ranging guide to concepts and terminology frequently used in criminology. It will not only inform and stimulate, but will also bring clarity and integration to a subject where the understanding of key words and phrases is essential. Entries include concise information on definition, use, inter-connection, and notes on relevant literature. Assembled thus in one volume, the entries supply an overall view of criminology, which makes the Dictionary an essential reference text for students and working professionals in criminology, forensic medicine, law, the police and prison services, psychiatry, psychology, social work and sociology.

Originally published in 1976. This study deals with crime as social history in Germany and France during the nineteenth century. It establishes the broad statistical patterns of crime over the century so that the crime phenomenon can be analysed in the light of the other main trends of economic and social life. One basic concern is the relationship between crime and economic condition. The second main issue is to establish whether specifically rural and urban patterns of crime can be isolated. The third main concern is to establish whether any relationship existed between patterns of delinquency and the social upheaval which accompanied industrialisation and urbanisation. These three main issues continue as important questions in considering modern day crime. Nineteenth century Germany and France provide an excellent context in which to examine them because of the substantial urbanisation and industrialisation which occurred between 1830 and 1914. As well as providing an important contribution to the history of nineteenth century society this book also indicates important lessons for the contemporary world.

Originally published in 1981. This book unifies the diverse literature on the role of environmental factors in the uneven distribution of crime in society and provides an assessment of the validity of environmental explanations and their utility. It analyses and assesses the major work done by researchers in Britain, America and elsewhere. The extent of the differences between communities is reviewed from a number of perspectives. Offences are examined by location, nature and seriousness. Offenders are located in their environment and variations according to sex, age, race, social class, and recidivism are considered. The risks of victimisation also reflect environmental differences and need to be set in the context of wider community perceptions, fears, and attitudes to crime. The role of the community in the distribution of justice is also discussed.

Originally published in 1940. This ground-breaking work formed the foundation for modern criminology becoming an academic discipline within UK sociological studies. It concerns the history of crime, its causes and treatment in England during the preceding twenty-five years or so. Mannheim, through this and later studies, went on to found the criminology department at LSE.The book offers an evaluation of the criminological implications of the War and early post-War period as well as an examination of the practical working of the new penal machinery built up by the Reform Acts passed just prior to the War. The author produced a scientific account of the post-War state of crime, beginning with a critical examination of the structure and interpretation of English Criminal Statistics followed by a survey of the principal criminological features of the period between the two Wars. Significant aspects are dealt with in a separate chapters - four devoted to problems of work and leisure (Unemployment and Strikes, Business Administration, Alcoholism, and Gambling), four others to those of certain specific sections of the population (Juvenile Delinquency, Female Delinquency and Prostitution, Recidivism).This is a fascinating read for both the historian and the criminologist.

Originally published in 1997. The use of postmodern criminology’s conceptual tools offers the potential for the development of a better understanding of the various configurations of repressive forces and directions for social change. This excellent text introduces the reader to the core ideas concerning subjectivity as it is related to discourses and how the discursive construction of social reality takes place. It discusses some of the key themes, dealing with both theoretical integrative work, applications, and recent developments in studying postmodern criminology. It is intended for students as well as those who are more familiar with the subject. This book is composed of twelve essays organized into three parts, this important work contributes to the big discussion among criminologists about the postmodern aspects of crime.

Originally published in 1945. This book presents the developing opinions contemporary to the post-war period, of the social and psychological roots of criminal actions as seen through the viewpoint of a practising magistrate. Looking at the psychological treatment of delinquents in particular, using actual case experiences, various causes are illustrated, and future preventative interventions are suggested and categorised. Early childhood developmental effects leading to characteristic criminality are distinguished from those societal factors with later and lesser influence, in the opinion of the author. The book discusses the court systems for judging family disputes and divorce in comparison to criminal cases amongst its investigation into the cause of criminality. The author’s ground-breaking work led to much reform in the UK judicial system and this book is a fascinating insight to the history of psychology, law and criminology.

Originally published in 1986. Based on interviews with men in prison, this study takes two groups of convicted criminals: men convicted of robbery, and, for comparison, a sample of men convicted for breaking into commercial premises. It focuses on how victims are chosen, the decision-making processes involved, and the characteristics of those selected and those rejected as unsuitable potential victim material. Also described are the pattern of the crime (time, place, gain), and the ways in which people become involved in it. Allowing several convicted robbers describe in their own way why they did it and what they thought and felt about it, Dermot Walsh presents a disquieting picture, in which robbery appears to be an attractive proposition to several different groups of men, facing quite different circumstances, and for different reasons.

Originally published in 1983. This Dictionary provides a wide-ranging guide to concepts and terminology frequently used in criminology. It will not only inform and stimulate, but will also bring clarity and integration to a subject where the understanding of key words and phrases is essential. Entries include concise information on definition, use, inter-connection, and notes on relevant literature. Assembled thus in one volume, the entries supply an overall view of criminology, which makes the Dictionary an essential reference text for students and working professionals in criminology, forensic medicine, law, the police and prison services, psychiatry, psychology, social work and sociology.