Problems with criminologyEstonian example

Jako SallaVilnius, 26.06.2014

About myself

• Estonian Ministry of Justice– Criminal policy making

• Persuation of other stakeholders• Crime and criminal justice analysis (statistics and studies)• Law drafting• Crime prevention

• Teaching– Sociology of deviance, criminology– Thesis supervision

• Public criminology

Criminology for me is a science: – that helps us to understand and explain the world

and it complextities around us – and find solutions to reduce crime.

Criminology in Estonia

Not an independent discipline– 0 journals– 0 curriculums– 0 professional groups– 0 regular meetings– Up to 10 defended MA degrees in a year (mainly law)– Up to 10 academic articles in a year, very few in

international journals

The future?

Problems in the context

• The problem is not the lack of crime OR disproportionate and emotional reactions to crime OR crime as a populist tool.

• The problem is lack of interest in crime and criminology. – Media– Politicians– Academic world– Professionals

Problems for policymaking• Criminologist in opposition or working with the

government? – Good policy needs both but it is easier with the latter. – When developing something new there is normally time

and resources but criticism is mostly needed for the next day or week.

• Parliamentary process has become more inclusive and open but it is still very random in the choice of topics to be discussed. Lack of expert knowledge but informed opinion would be something to be aimed at.

Example

• Lack of interest and debate opens the door for both good and bad policies.

• Controversial example:– 2010 – overcriminilization „debate“ opened– 2012 – criminal records open for everyone– 2013 – change in criminal records law that

diminished the number of people with „active“ criminal record 59% (window of opportunity).

– 2014 – parliament adopted the criminal law reform. – 2015 – child protection law

Creating a criminologic sphere• Criminology in public sphere – one must start communicating differently.

Proactive communication as part of research process.– Communication of research done elsewhere.

• Widening the criminological community– Raising awareness, reaching informed opinions, creating debate– Reaching new people, activating professionals

• Practical first steps – Newsletter, web page, blogging– Facebook community– Creating interest for interns from different fields– Recommended topics for thesis– Best thesis rewards, student conferences for professionals– Cooperation in (method) courses– Thesis supervision– Etc

Thank you!