The new criminology

The "new criminology" refers to a shift in the field of criminology that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, characterized by a critical and radical approach to understanding crime and criminal justice. This movement sought to challenge traditional criminological theories and practices, which were seen as being too focused on individual pathology and too accepting of the status quo.

Some key features of the new criminology include:

1. Critique of traditional criminology: The new criminology challenged the dominant positivist and functionalist approaches to criminology, which were seen as being too focused on individual pathology and too accepting of the status quo.
2. Focus on social and economic inequality: The new criminology emphasized the role of social and economic inequality in shaping crime and criminal justice. It argued that crime is often a response to poverty, racism, and other forms of social and economic marginalization.
3. Critique of the criminal justice system: The new criminology criticized the criminal justice system for being biased and ineffective in addressing the root causes of crime. It argued that the system perpetuates social and economic inequality and fails to address the underlying causes of crime.
4. Focus on community and social justice: The new criminology emphasized the importance of community and social justice in addressing crime and promoting public safety. It argued that crime prevention and reduction require a focus on building strong, healthy communities and addressing the social and economic roots of crime.
5. Use of alternative methodologies: The new criminology often employed alternative methodologies, such as ethnography, participant observation, and oral history, to study crime and criminal justice. These methodologies allowed for a more nuanced and contextual understanding of crime and criminal justice.

Some key figures associated with the new criminology include:

1. Stan Cohen: A British criminologist who is known for his work on the sociology of deviance and the critique of traditional criminology.
2. Jock Young: A British criminologist who is known for his work on the sociology of crime and the critique of the criminal justice system.
3. Richard Quinney: An American criminologist who is known for his work on the sociology of crime and the critique of traditional criminology.
4. Paul Gilroy: A British sociologist who is known for his work on the sociology of race and ethnicity and the critique of traditional criminology.

Some key texts associated with the new criminology include:

1. Stan Cohen's "Folk Devils and Moral Panics" (1972): A classic study of the sociology of deviance and the critique of traditional criminology.
2. Jock Young's "The New Criminology" (1971): A foundational text of the new criminology movement, which critiques traditional criminology and argues for a more radical and critical approach to understanding crime and criminal justice.
3. Richard Quinney's "Criminology: An Interdisciplinary Approach" (1977): A textbook that reflects the new criminology's emphasis on social and economic inequality and its critique of traditional criminology.

Overall, the new criminology represents a significant shift in the field of criminology, one that emphasizes the importance of social and economic inequality, community and social justice, and alternative methodologies in understanding crime and criminal justice.