As the 21st Century becomes the era of evidence-based policy, the role of experimental evidence has become more important than ever. It is also critical to improve the quality of field experiments in crime and justice, more of which are now conducted each year than ever before. This book is the indispensable introduction to reading, understanding, evaluating, using and doing randomized field experiments in and around the criminal justice system, including

• policing


• bail and pre-trial processes


• prosecution


• sentencing


• probation


• prison administration


• parole and re-entry


• family-based crime prevention


• community-based crime prevention


• private security

 Using case studies of both successful and unsuccessful experiments, this book shows novices and senior scholars alike how experiments can be done better, analyzed better, and put to better use for evidence-based crime policy. It also shows how experiments can be combined in systematic reviews of evidence, which make the most of their potential to predict the best results from any policy decision.

Designed for use in both graduate and undergraduate research methods courses in criminology, criminal justice, sociology, community psychology, education and public health, the book is also designed for mid-career government and business executives in crime prevention and justice policy.

Compact Criminology is an exciting series that invigorates and challenges the international field of criminology. 

Books in the series are short, authoritative, innovative assessments of emerging issues in criminology and criminal justice – offering critical, accessible introductions to important topics.  They take a global rather than a narrowly national approach.  Eminently readable and first-rate in quality, each book is written by a leading specialist.

Compact Criminology provides a new type of tool for teaching, learning and research, one that is flexible and light on its feet. The series addresses fundamental needs in the growing and increasingly differentiated field of criminology.