Justice for Whom? Assessing Humanist Criminology as A Catalyst for Change in the Criminal Justice Aparatus

Source: (2002) The American Sociologist. 33(4): 98-110.

Humanist perspectives on criminology incorporate the role of the state in affecting basic justice processes. Separate scholarly work by A;fred McClung Lee, Richard Quinney, and others set the stage for viable alternatives embodied in peacemaking and restorative justice. Tie-ins between critical humanist criminology critiques, basic sociology views toward society, and current developments in alternative justice models are assessed. An evaluation of how humanist criminology has transformed conceptions of community participation (as stressed in the original humanist sociology perspective) will serve as an integral analysis in assessing the impact of social justice models. (author’s abstract)