Convict Criminology

The "New School of Convict Criminology" is a relatively new and controversial perspective in the field of corrections and the academic field of criminology

The "New School of Convict Criminology" is a relatively new and controversial perspective in the field of corrections and the academic field of criminology. It challenges the way crime and correctional problems are traditionally represented and discussed by researchers, policymakers, and politicians. Our use of "New" is mirrored on Taylor, Walton, and Young's (1973) seminal work The New Criminolog

y. This monograph generated considerable controversy and intellectual debate in our discipline. These authors were critical of positivist, functionalist, and labeling approaches that failed to consider how the criminal law, policing, and corrections were socio-political constructions of class domination and the logical priorities of capitalism. Our use of the word "school" is similar to the Frankfurt School and the New School of Social Research, which suggests a collective effort grounded in a creative and critical research tradition. (Richards and Ross, 2001: 186)

In part, Convict Criminology emerged as a result of the frustration ex-convict academics experienced with the extant understanding of crime and its control. Convict criminologists are especially concerned with:
(1) how the problem of crime is defined,
(2) solutions proposed,
(3) the devastating impacts of those decisions on the men and women “labeled” criminals (Becker, 1963; Lemert, 1967), who are locked in correctional facilities, separated from loved ones, and prevented from fully reintegrating into the community,
(4) record high rates of incarceration,
(5) overcrowding of penal institutions,
(6) a lack of meaningful programming inside and outside of prison
(7) and the structural impediments to successful re-entry that results in a revolving door criminal justice system (Richards & Jones, 1997; 2004; Richards, 2003; Maruna & Immarigeon, 2004). As defined (see Richards & Ross, 2001:180; Ross & Richards, 2003:6), Convict Criminology represents the work of convicts or ex-convicts, in possession of a Ph.D. or on their way to completing one, or enlightened academics and practitioners, who contribute to a new conversation about crime and corrections. This is a “New Criminology” led by former prisoners who are now academic faculty. The Convict Criminology group tends to do research that illustrates the experiences of prisoners and ex-cons, attempts to combat the misrepresentations of scholars, the media and government, and to propose new and less costly strategies that are more humane and effective (Richards & Ross, 2003a, 2003b). The convict scholars are able to do what many previous researchers could not; merge their past with their present and provide a provocative approach to the academic study of their field. The convict criminology perspective is also based on perceptions, experiences, and analytical ideas that originate with defendants and prisoners, and are then developed by critical scholars (Richards & Ross, 2003a, 2003b).

10/03/2026

Hello ASC Division of Convict Criminology Members!

This is a friendly reminder to submit your papers, thematic panels, and roundtable ideas for the 2026 ASC Conference in Chicago in November 18-21, 2026. The DCC will continue its efforts to highlight our scholarship by developing complete thematic panels and roundtables. This year we developed a Google Form to expedite our submissions. Please check your emails for the notification email with submission link, or click here: https://outlook.cloud.microsoft/mail/id/AAQkADVmYTY5Mzg2LTg0MDUtNDVmZC04YzJhLTY5MjQ1MjA3OTVhYwAQAOVQ%2BTu4ADBKrfDTuekgeXw%3D #:~:text=Click%20here%20for%20the%20ASC%20Conference%20Submission%20Form

Here are the due dates to ensure we have adequate time to submit all panels through the ASC Submission Portal.

DCC Deadlines for Submission

Thematic Panel, Individual Paper, or Author Meets Critic Session due Friday, March 20, 2026

Abstracts for Poster, Roundtable Sessions & Lightning Talks due Friday, May 15, 2026.

Here are links to ASC 2026 Conference and Division of Convict Criminology:
https://asc41.org/events/asc-annual-meeting/

https://concrim.org/

Awards - Division of Convict Criminology

04/11/2025

2025 DIVISION OF CONVICT CRIMINOLOGY (DCC) AWARD WINNERS!

We are very happy to announce the 2025 DCC Award Winners for the American Society of Criminology!
https://concrim.org/awards/

JOHN KEITH IRWIN DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR AWARD:
-Dr. Denise Woodall and Dr. Grant Tietjen

OUTSTANDING MENTOR AWARD:
-Dr. Robert Johnson

Congratulations to all the winners!

Thank you, the DCC Awards Committee

Awards - Division of Convict Criminology The Division of Convict Criminology (DCC) of ASC invites nominations for this year’s awards (2025). John Keith Irwin Distinguished Scholar Award (Nomination Deadline: September 15, 2025)This award recognizes sustained outstanding professional contributions by individuals to the study of...

19/09/2025

Hello all! It's that time of year again - the 2025 American Society of Criminology is coming up Nov 12-15.

In the spirit of connecting and finding fellowship, the Division of Convict Criminology will be holding our yearly ASC dinner. The details are provided in flyer. Safe travels, and I look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new friends!

Also, I special thank you to Dr. Denise Woodall for setting up the dinner arrangements!

Kind regards, Grant
Vice Chair - DCC

06/09/2025

https://forms.gle/rafNRFof2MWHQPrPA

12/11/2024

For all those that are interested, attend the DCC Business meeting at the American Society of Criminology this Thurs Nov 14, if you can - All welcome!

15/11/2023

At the 2023 American Society of Criminology in Philadelphia. Excited to be one of the co-recipients of 2023 Division of Convict Criminology- Outstanding Article Award “Let the convicts speak: a critical conversation of the ongoing language debate in convict criminology” alongside Dr. Jennifer Montiz, Dr. Alison Cox, & Dr. Daniel Ryan!

This award recognizes outstanding scholarship in the form of an article in https://concrim.org/.

08/11/2023

So grateful to be a part of this soon to be published special issue of the Journal of Prisoners on Prisons (https://uottawa.scholarsportal.info/ottawa/index.php/jpp/about) - as one of the guest-editors with Dr. Alison Cox & Dr. JRenee Trombley. Culmination of over 2 years of labor. Thank you to all of our fantastic contributing authors!

07/09/2023

Hello! Announcement - opportunity for participation in compensated study for system-contacted instructors. Will send supplementary documentation if interested, reach out to listed emails. 😊

25/08/2023

The submission link for nominations for the 2023 Division of Convict Criminology Awards is now open! Below you will find a detailed explanation of each award and how to submit nominations. The deadline for submissions is September 30, 2023.

If you have any questions about the awards, please direct them to the Awards Committee Chair, Dr. Jeffrey Ross ([email protected])

01/05/2023

Excited to announce the publication of co-authored article, “From Fledgling Network to the Creation of an Official Division of the ASC: The Growth of Convict Criminology 2.0” w/ Grant Tietjen & Jeffrey Ian Ross in SOCIAL JUSTICE! (https://lnkd.in/eiUijXXr). Pls DM if u would like a PDF.

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https://www.concrim.org/

Convict Criminology

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