Systematic reviews aim to minimize any possible bias in drawing conclusions by stating explicit
criteria for inclusion and exclusion of studies by conducting extensive and wide-ranging
searches for possibly eligible studies and by making all stages of the review explicit and
transparent so that the methods can be checked and replicated. Over a decade ago a concerted
effort was made by members of the criminology community including the Editors and contributors
of this volume to bring the practice of systematic reviews to the study of Criminology
providing replicable evidence-based data to answer key questions about the study of crime
causation detection and prevention. Now the pioneers in this effort present a comprehensive
stock-taking of what has been learned in the past decade of systematic reviews in criminology.
Much has been discovered about the effectiveness of (for example) boot camps hot spots
policing closed-circuit television surveillance neighborhood watch anti-bullying programs in
schools early parenting programs drug treatment programs and other key topics. This
ambitious volume aims to bring together and assess all major systematic reviews of the
effectiveness of criminological interventions to draw broad conclusions about what works in
policing corrections developmental prevention situational prevention drug abuse treatments
sentencing and deterrence and communities. It will be of interest to researchers in
criminology and criminal justice as well as in related fields such as public health and
forensic science with important implications for policy-makers and practitioners. Decisively
showing that the nothing works era is over this volume takes stock of what we know and still
need to know to prevent crime. Focusing on different areas of prevention individual chapters
provide a state-of-the art analysis of the extent evaluation evidence. Together they comprise
an essential guide to improving both public safety and the lives of those most at risk of
criminal involvement. I plan to keep this book close at hand and to use if often! Francis T.
Cullen Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus University of Cincinnati This impressive
volume edited by Weisburd Farrington and Gill provides a comprehensive picture of what we've
learned from systematic reviews about what works in addressing crime - and goes on to identify
the next step issues that demand attention if the field is to move forward. At a time when
there is a broad commitment to bringing science to the front lines of practice this book
should be on the reading list of both policymakers and scholars. Laurie O. Robinson Clarence
J. Robinson Professor of Criminology Law Society George Mason University and former Assistant
Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice
