Stephen Jones is a Senior Lecturer in Law and one of the most experienced teachers at the University of Bristol Law School. The new (fifth) edition of the textbook   Criminology  (Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-965184-9) features in a list of ‘essential’ Law textbooks in the 7 November edition of   Times Higher Education.

The book has been a popular introductory work since it first appeared in 1998. It provides students with a thorough analysis of the major criminological theories, following a historical path through their development. A wide range of research is drawn on in order to consider both sociological and psychological explanations of criminal behaviour. Criminology is designed for undergraduates studying criminology, criminological theory, and the sociology of deviance. Its detailed analysis and sources of further reading will also be of interest to postgraduate students. 

Stephen established the Criminology course at Bristol almost forty years ago and it continues to attract a large number of students. Stephen has also been very active in prison inspection: formerly Vice-Chair of the Board of Visitors at HM Remand Centre, Pucklechurch, he is now a member of the Independent Monitoring Board at HM Prison Eastwood Park.

His other main publication in this field is Understanding Violent Crime (Open University Press ISBN 0-335-20417-1. His current areas of research are the criminality of women and the prosecution of parents for their child’s truancy.

 

Interview with Stephen Jones in OUP's Criminology Newsletter (June 2013)