Crime, Criminal Justice and Religion: A Critical Appraisal - Paperback

by Philip Birch (Editor), Conor Murray (Editor), Andrew McInnes (Editor)

Crime, Criminal Justice and Religion: A Critical Appraisal seeks to bridge a gap in the examination of crime and criminal justice by taking both a historical and a contemporary lens to explore the influence of religion. Offering unique perspectives that consider the impact on modern-day policy and practice, the book scrutinises a range of issues such as abortion, hate crime and desistance as well as reflecting upon the influence religion can have on criminal justice professions.

The book acts to renew the importance of, and recognise, the influence and impact religion has in terms of how we view and ultimately address crime and deliver criminal justice. One of the first books to cover the area of crime, criminal justice and religion, the book is split into three parts, with part 1 - 'Contextualising Crime, Criminal Justice and Religion' - providing an introduction to crime, criminal justice and religion, and reflections on the role religion has had, and continues to have, in how crime is understood and how we respond to it. Part 2 - 'Appraisal of Institutions and Professional Practice' - considers the issue of religion through institutions and professions of criminal justice, such as the police and legal profession, while part 3 - 'Appraisal of Contemporary Issues' - explores a range of crime and criminal justice issues in on which religion has had an impact, such as the death penalty and terrorism.

Crime, Criminal Justice and Religion will be of primary interest to academics, researchers and students in criminology, law, sociology, psychology, social policy and related Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences disciplines. It will also be of interest to theologians, both as scholars and practitioners. The book is a body of work that will appeal at an international level and will also be a key resource for a range of practitioners across the globe working on issues concerning crime and criminal justice.

Author Biography

Philip Birch is an Associate Professor of Criminology in the Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences at the University of Technology Sydney, Australia. During his academic career he has taught in the British, US and Australian university systems. Prior to entering academia, Philip worked as a criminologist in the field, holding posts in the UK prison service as well as in the crime and disorder field, which involved managing a specialist crime unit. Philip has published over 100 books, book chapters, peer- reviewed articles and government reports in his main areas of research - offender management and rehabilitation; police, prisons and probation practices; gender- inclusive violence, with a particular focus on domestic and family violence, and sex work. In 2019, Philip was invited to present his research at the United Nations. He has secured over $860K in research funding and support grants to date, which has addressed a variety of themes within his areas of expertise. Philip also holds an honorary research fellowship in the School of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, UK, as well as a Professorial Associate at Ashworth Research Centre, Ashworth High Secure Hospital, National Health Services, UK. Philip is a visiting professor (Police Science) in the Faculty of Life Sciences at the University of South Wales, UK, and a fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Philip was the co-founder and inaugural editor-in-chief of the Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice (JCRPP, 2014-2017) and Abuse: An International Impact Journal (2020-Present). He was also the editor-in-chief of Salus: An International Journal for Law Enforcement and Public Safety (2018-2021) and sits on the editorial board of the Journal of Aggression, Conflict and Peace Research.

Conor Murray is a Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Ulster University, where he is also the Global Engagement Lead and Postgraduate Tutor within the School of Applied Social and Policy Sciences. He sits on the Executive Board of NIACRO, an NGO dedicated to reducing crime and its impact on people and communities in Northern Ireland. As an early career researcher, he is focused on disseminating the findings of his doctoral research, which included a nine-month ethnographic study in Hydebank Wood (Young Offenders Centre) College. His research findings will be published in a research monograph in 2023. While writing the book Conor has also been exploring research interests in disciplines of young adulthood, gender, sexuality, policing, religion, and sport-based interventions. He has secured over £150,000 in research funding and support grants and has published book chapters, peer reviewed articles and reports.

Andrew McInnes is an adjunct associate professor with Charles Sturt University, working in the Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security. Until July 2020, he was a senior lecturer at the Charles Sturt University campus in Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia, where he was a course manager and lecturer in criminal justice, leadership and policing subjects, both on campus and online. He has previously led in the development of a startup academic institution on behalf of the Abu Dhabi government in the United Arab Emirates, including in the design, accreditation and delivery of new academic programmes in policing, security and crime scene investigation. Dr McInnes served as a police officer in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and Police Service of Northern Ireland for almost 31 years. On retirement in 2013, he held the rank of superintendent and was the deputy head of Training and Development in the Northern Ireland Police College. He served in a wide range of operational and headquarter roles including district commander, criminal justice development, counterterrorism operations and training delivery and evaluation.