Publishing History of the Centre for Criminology

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“Prof. Edwards believes that the Centre of Criminology’s work has influenced (he calls it an ‘unseen contribution’) the judiciary and the agencies responsible for the criminal justice system” (“Edwards influences criminal justice system”, 3 Oct 1975)

The publications at the Centre for Criminology & Sociolegal Studies over the past 60 years at the University of Toronto are innovative, insightful, and integral to how we study criminology. The publications at the Centre are not only diverse in their topics but instrumental to the development of criminology as a discipline in Canada and internationally. Topics ranging from juvenile offenders to motorcycle gangs provide valuable and immense research that ultimately helps us understand human nature, society, and criminal behavior. One of the earliest books published at the Centre in 1964 is titled Proceedings of the National Conference of Judges on Sentencing. This conference was convened by the Centre for Criminology and included government officials and judges that discussed sentencing in Canada along with its practices, the parole board, and factors that impact sentencing. The Centre founder, John L.J. Edwards attended this conference and contributed to the publication of multiple other books at the Centre. 

There are a variety of notable publications that the Centre has in its collection. The book Police Governance in First Nations in Ontario provides insight into the relationship that police have with the Indigenous community in Canada. This relationship is important to understanding the effects that colonization has on institutions in Canada and how Indigenous peoples are treated by police and the government. Another book, The Violence Prediction Scheme uses a formula that is devised to predict violent behavior among men and allow researchers and clinicians to use when determining criminal behavior. 

The unique contributions of the Centre have certainly shaped where we now stand in the discipline of criminology and the future of approaching criminal behavior, activity, and the administration of criminal justice. The valuable research and knowledge that resides in the walls of the Centre will continue to shape criminology and ultimately, the society we live in.

“There is no decision in the criminal process that is so complicated and so difficult to make as that of the sentencing judge” 

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Hogarth, J. (1971). Sentencing as a Human Process. University of Toronto Press.


Sentencing as a Human Process was published in 1974 and is edited by the Centre for Criminology founder, John L.J. Edwards. In the foreword of the book, Edwards discusses the importance and value of exploring criminology through an interdisciplinary approach that encompasses the law and the sciences. This approach, according to Edwards, is necessary when sentencing offenders in Canada, as it not only affects their liberty and freedom but also sets a precedent for future offenders. As such, the philosophy and principles behind sentencing should be crafted through an approach that achieves the best outcome and utilizes all resources and knowledge availablefrom all disciplines. Yet, the extent to which offenders should be rehabilitated through reduced sentencing and self-improvement, strictly punished, or neither is a principle of sentencing that both Edwards and John Hogarth discuss in the book. These qualities make sentencing a particularly central factor of the criminal justice process that can be a determinant of future engagement in crime. John Hogarth’s focus on the judicial system and its relationship with sentencing is both noteworthy and important to the contributions of the Centre.

“The danger of disillusionment with our penal methods is very real and must not be underestimated” (Foreword, John L.J. Edwards)

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Promotional card for Men Released From Prison (J. L.J. Edwards, Ed.). University of Toronto Press

Sentencing as a Human Process was published in 1974 and is edited by the Centre for Criminology founder, John L.J. Edwards. In the foreword of the book, Edwards discusses the importance and value of exploring criminology through an interdisciplinary approach that encompasses the law and the sciences. This approach, according to Edwards, is necessary when sentencing offenders in Canada, as it not only affects their liberty and freedom but also sets a precedent for future offenders. As such, the philosophy and principles behind sentencing should be crafted through an approach that achieves the best outcome and utilizes all resources and knowledge availablefrom all disciplines. Yet, the extent to which offenders should be rehabilitated through reduced sentencing and self-improvement, strictly punished, or neither is a principle of sentencing that both Edwards and John Hogarth discuss in the book. These qualities make sentencing a particularly central factor of the criminal justice process that can be a determinant of future engagement in crime. John Hogarth’s focus on the judicial system and its relationship with sentencing is both noteworthy and important to the contributions of the Centre. 

“Feminist Criminology” and Other Terms That Have Shaped the Study of Criminology 

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Ericson, R. V., Shearing, C. D., & Gladstone, J. (Eds.). (1991). Criminology: A Reader's Guide. Centre of Criminology, University of Toronto.

Criminology: A Reader’s Guide is a diverse collection of written pieces by faculty of the Centre for Criminology at the University of Toronto. The faculty at the Centre of Criminology continues to demonstrate a commitment to strengthening the study of criminology and understanding its impact in society. The topics of the essays in the book range from a variety of topics, including law and policy, policing, and crime and punishment. The contributions of the book are particularly noteworthy because each author provides insight into the various layers of criminology. Some of the titles include “Feminist Perspectives on Criminology” by Mariana Valverde, “Crime, Policing, and Punishment in England 1550-1850” by John Beattie, and “Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice” by W. Gordon West. These essays expand on and explore areas of criminology that continue to reform institutions and structures that will engender a better society. There is no doubt that the Centre of Criminology faculty and its students at the University of Toronto will continue to make insightful contributions to the study of criminology in the years to come.

Diversion Programs in Canada

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Wortley, S., & Fischer, B. (2002). An Evaluation of the Toronto John School Diversion Program. Centre of Criminology, University of Toronto.

The Toronto “John School” diversion program was created in 1996 to divert male offenders with prostitution-related charges outlined in section 213 of the Criminal Code into a day-long program to learn about the dangers and ramifications of street prostitution. Each offender is required to pay $400 to enroll in the program which is used toward helping prostitutes. The program is structured with educational material on prostitution, STDs, safe sex, and the public health concerns that soliciting prostitutes can create. More importantly, the diversion program allows the government to withdraw the criminal charges of offenders if they comply with the program requirements and at the end of the session, “graduate”. These diversion programs are useful to offenders because they can eliminate the prospect of a trial, a criminal conviction, salvage their reputation in society, and reduce the costs associated with the criminal justice process. 

The “John School” is an example of the significance of diversion programs in Canada which direct offenders with no prior criminal record away from the Criminal Justice System. When given the opportunity to avoid a criminal record, diversion programs can be considered useful in granting individuals another chance to learn from their mistakes and to prevent them from committing future criminal conduct. The study conducted in 2002 from the Evaluation of the Toronto John School Diversion Program found that generally, support for the “John School” was increasing and that most participants of the program benefited from the curriculum. The “John School” can be considered useful in setting a precedent about the value of diversion programs in Canada which educate offenders about their charges instead of criminalizing them. This is particularly valuable for first-time offenders with no prior criminal record. 



Centre for Criminology Publications

Click through below to explore the complete collection of books published by the Centre for Criminology