Criminology & Public Policy

Scope & Guideline

Driving Interdisciplinary Dialogue on Crime and Justice

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the scholarly insights of Criminology & Public Policy with our comprehensive guidelines detailing its aims and scope. This page is your resource for understanding the journal's thematic priorities. Stay abreast of trending topics currently drawing significant attention and explore declining topics for a full picture of evolving interests. Our selection of highly cited topics and recent high-impact papers is curated within these guidelines to enhance your research impact.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1538-6473
PublisherWILEY
Support Open AccessNo
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2012 to 2024
AbbreviationCRIMINOL PUBLIC POL / Criminol. Public Policy
Frequency4 issues/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
Address111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ

Aims and Scopes

The journal 'Criminology & Public Policy' aims to bridge the gap between criminological research and public policy, providing insights that inform effective crime prevention and criminal justice strategies. Its focus includes the evaluation of policies, the impact of various interventions, and the exploration of social factors influencing crime and justice.
  1. Policy Evaluation and Effectiveness:
    The journal emphasizes rigorous evaluations of crime-related policies and interventions, assessing their effectiveness in real-world contexts. This includes systematic reviews and meta-analyses that compile evidence on what works in crime prevention and criminal justice.
  2. Social Justice and Equity:
    A core focus is on understanding and addressing issues of social justice, including racial disparities in policing, the treatment of marginalized populations within the criminal justice system, and the implications of policies on these communities.
  3. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
    The journal encourages interdisciplinary research that integrates insights from sociology, psychology, law, and public health to provide a comprehensive understanding of crime and justice issues.
  4. Emerging Crime Trends and Technologies:
    Research on new forms of crime, such as cybercrime and gun violence, is prominent, reflecting a commitment to understanding contemporary challenges in criminology.
  5. Community Engagement and Crime Prevention:
    There is a strong emphasis on community-based approaches to crime prevention, exploring how community organizing and local initiatives can effectively reduce crime and improve public safety.
The journal has shown a dynamic evolution in its thematic focus, with several emerging trends and topics gaining traction in recent years. These trends highlight the journal's responsiveness to contemporary issues in criminology and public policy.
  1. Impact of Technology on Crime:
    There is a growing emphasis on understanding how technology influences crime and public safety, including studies on cybercrime, surveillance technologies, and digital fraud. This reflects the increasing relevance of technology in both facilitating and combating crime.
  2. Community-Centric Policing and Reform:
    Research exploring community policing practices and police reform initiatives is on the rise. This trend signifies a growing interest in how police-community relationships can be improved and the effectiveness of reform measures.
  3. Mental Health and Criminal Justice Intersections:
    The journal is increasingly addressing the intersection of mental health issues and criminal justice, examining how mental health facility closures and related policies impact crime and justice outcomes.
  4. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Policing:
    There is a heightened focus on racial and ethnic disparities in law enforcement practices, with studies analyzing the implications of these disparities for policy reform and community relations.
  5. Gun Violence Prevention Strategies:
    An increase in research dedicated to evaluating gun violence prevention strategies reflects societal concerns over gun-related crimes and the search for effective policy solutions.

Declining or Waning

While 'Criminology & Public Policy' continues to address a wide range of important issues, certain themes appear to be declining in prominence in recent publications. This trend may reflect shifts in societal concerns or evolving research priorities.
  1. Traditional Deterrence Theories:
    There has been a noticeable decrease in publications focusing solely on traditional deterrence theories and their applications. This shift suggests a move toward more nuanced understandings of compliance and behavior rather than relying solely on deterrent strategies.
  2. Focus on Incarceration Rates:
    Research specifically centered on incarceration rates without broader context or policy implications seems to be less frequent. The journal appears to be moving toward examining the impact of policy reforms on incarceration rather than the rates themselves.
  3. Punitive Justice Models:
    There is a reduction in studies advocating for punitive models of justice. Instead, the focus is leaning more towards restorative and rehabilitative approaches, reflecting a broader societal shift in attitudes towards justice and rehabilitation.

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