Main description:

Systematic
reviews aim to minimize any possible bias in drawing conclusions by stating
explicit criteria for inclusion and exclusion of studies, by conducting
extensive and wide-ranging searches for possibly eligible studies, and by
making all stages of the review explicit and transparent so that the methods
can be checked and replicated. Over a decade ago, a concerted effort was made
by members of the criminology community, including the Editors and contributors
of this volume, to bring the practice of systematic reviews to the study of
Criminology, providing replicable, evidence-based data to answer key questions
about the study of crime causation, detection, and prevention. Now, the
pioneers in this effort present a comprehensive stock-taking of what has been
learned in the past decade of systematic reviews in criminology. Much has been
discovered about the effectiveness of (for example) boot camps, “hot spots”
policing, closed-circuit television surveillance, neighborhood watch,
anti-bullying programs in schools, early parenting programs, drug treatment
programs, and other key topics. 

This ambitious volume aims to bring together
and assess all major systematic reviews of the effectiveness of criminological
interventions, to draw broad conclusions about what works in policing,
corrections, developmental prevention, situational prevention, drug abuse
treatments, sentencing and deterrence, and communities. It will be of interest
to researchers in criminology and criminal justice, as well as in related
fields such as public health and forensic science, with important implications
for policy-makers and practitioners.

Decisively showing that the “nothing works” era is over, this volume takes stock of what we know, and still need to know, to prevent crime.  Focusing on different areas of prevention, individual chapters provide a state-of–the art analysis of the extent evaluation evidence.  Together, they comprise an essential guide to improving both public safety and the lives of those most at risk of criminal involvement.  I plan to keep this book close at hand and to use if often! 

Francis T. Cullen, Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus, University of Cincinnati 

This impressive volume, edited by Weisburd, Farrington and Gill, provides a comprehensive picture of what we’ve learned from systematic reviews about “what works” in addressing crime – and goes on to identify the “next step” issues that demand attention if the field is to move forward.  At a time when there is a broad commitment to bringing science to the front lines of practice, this book should be on the reading list of both policymakers and scholars. 

Laurie O. Robinson, Clarence J. Robinson Professor of Criminology, Law Society, George Mason University and former Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice

Feature:

Presents a comprehensive stock-taking of what has been learned by over a decade of systematic reviews in Criminology 

Back cover:

Systematic
reviews aim to minimize any possible bias in drawing conclusions by stating
explicit criteria for inclusion and exclusion of studies, by conducting
extensive and wide-ranging searches for possibly eligible studies, and by
making all stages of the review explicit and transparent so that the methods
can be checked and replicated. Over a decade ago, a concerted effort was made
by members of the criminology community, including the Editors and contributors
of this volume, to bring the practice of systematic reviews to the study of
Criminology, providing replicable, evidence-based data to answer key questions
about the study of crime causation, detection, and prevention. Now, the
pioneers in this effort present a comprehensive stock-taking of what has been
learned in the past decade of systematic reviews in criminology. Much has been
discovered about the effectiveness of (for example) boot camps, “hot spots”
policing, closed-circuit television surveillance, neighborhood watch,
anti-bullying programs in schools, early parenting programs, drug treatment
programs, and other key topics.

This ambitious volume aims to bring together
and assess all major systematic reviews of the effectiveness of criminological
interventions, to draw broad conclusions about what works in policing,
corrections, developmental prevention, situational prevention, drug abuse
treatments, sentencing and deterrence, and communities. It will be of interest
to researchers in criminology and criminal justice, as well as in related
fields such as public health and forensic science, with important implications
for policy-makers and practitioners. 

Decisively showing that the “nothing works” era is over, this
volume takes stock of what we know, and still need to know, to prevent
crime.  Focusing on different areas of prevention, individual chapters
provide a state-of–the art analysis of the extent evaluation evidence. 
Together, they comprise an essential guide to improving both public safety and
the lives of those most at risk of criminal involvement.  I plan to keep
this book close at hand and to use if often! 

Francis T. Cullen, Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus,
University of Cincinnati 

This impressive volume, edited by Weisburd, Farrington and Gill,
provides a comprehensive picture of what we’ve learned from systematic reviews
about “what works” in addressing crime – and goes on to identify the “next
step” issues that demand attention if the field is to move forward.  At a
time when there is a broad commitment to bringing science to the front lines of
practice, this book should be on the reading list of both policymakers and
scholars. 

Laurie O. Robinson, Clarence J. Robinson Professor of
Criminology, Law Society, George Mason University and former Assistant Attorney
General of the U.S. Department of Justice

Contents:

Chapter 1: Introduction: What Works in Crime
Prevention? David
Weisburd, David P. Farrington, and Charlotte Gill.- Chapter
2: Developmental and social
prevention David P. Farrington, Friedrich Losel
and Maria M. Ttofi.- Chapter 3: Community interventions Charlotte Gill.- Chapter
4: Situational prevention Kate J. Bowers and
Shane D. Johnson.- Chapter 5: Policing Cody W. Telep and
David Weisburd.- Chapter
6: Sentencing and deterrence Amanda E. Perry.- Chapter
7: Correctional programs David B. Wilson.- Chapter
8: Drug interventions Katy R. Holloway and
Trevor H. Bennett.- Chapter
9: Qualitative data in systematic
reviews Mimi Ajzenstadt.- Chapter
10: Evidence mapping to advance justice
practice Michael S. Caudy, Faye
S. Taxman, Lienshang Tang and Carolyn Watson.- Chapter
11: Economic analyses Jacqueline Mallender
and Rory Tierney.- Chapter
12: Conclusion: What Works in Crime Prevention
Revisited David Weisburd, David P. Farrington, and Charlotte Gill.