Informal forms of justice such as mediation have been greeted enthusiastically as progress from the punishment model of justice -- and criticised as broadening rather than narrowing the reach of the criminal justice system. Here the contributors assess the evidence and re-appraise the theory of informalism.

Costliness, excessive delay, bias against the weak, corruption, underfunding, insufficiency of legal skills and shortage of training programmes (for the judicial staff in its diversity), complexity of legal rules and procedures, including the language of both the law and the Court, dependency vis-à-vis the political authorities; these are flaws documented as hindering equal and effective access to Burundi’s formal state court justice system. This book argues that engaging with out-of-court justice in Burundi’s legal pluralism model may positively impact on people’s access to justice, particularly for the poor and the underprivileged.

Covers scholarly work in criminology and criminal justice studies, sociology of law, and the sociology of deviance.

How do we deal with crime? It is inescapable. Since 1960, crime in the U.S. has increased 500% while the population has grown by only 41%. What is our responsibility to the victim and the offender? What is the Christian response? Explore the inadequacies of North American criminal justice systems and discover the alternative the Bible has to offer. Listen to stories of those involved in the system and from those pursuing a more restorative justice. Hear clearly God's words of hope, challenge, and counsel.

Women are the fastest growing group of incarcerated people in Canada. While feminist criminologists advocate for community alternatives to imprisonment, they often do so without offering a corresponding analysis of existing community programs. And critical criminologists rarely consider gender in their assessment of the options. This book brings these criminological strands together in a concise and carefully reasoned analysis of alternative justice programs for criminalized women. Drawing on interviews with staff and documents from alternative justice agencies, Amanda Nelund finds that alternative programs neither reproduce dominant justice system norms nor provide complete alternatives. Instead, formal and informal practices reflect the tension between neoliberal and social justice approaches. A Better Justice? calls attention to the potential that alternative programs have for both alignment with and opposition to criminal justice norms. It is in the potential points of resistance that we can find improved strategies – and ultimately, greater social justice for criminalized women in Canada.

`If the First Edition was an invaluable guide for students, the Second is well nigh indispensable. I can think of no better starting point for those wanting a "quick fix" on any given criminological topic' - Professor Tony Jefferson, Keele University `Since its initial publication in 2001, I've steadfastly kept The SAGE Dictionary of Criminology within easy reach of my desk, referring to it countless times in writing articles, books, and lectures. I've found it to be a remarkable book - a comprehensive dictionary, certainly, but as much so a significant achievement in intellectual inquiry. It may seem odd to say of a dictionary, but it really is one of my favourite books; the only book that can replace it on my deskside bookshelf is this Second Edition, whose new entries confirm the editors' grasp of contemporary criminology in all its excitement and complexity' - Professor Jeff Ferrell, Texas Christian University `The welcome inclusion of entries on contemporary theoretical and policy concerns ranging from Anti Social Behaviour, Eco crime and Emotions through Forensic Anthropology, Globalisation, Governance and Mentoring to Sex Crime, Virtual Criminology and What Works?, adds to the well established strengths of the first edition. The entries, all written by established scholars, provide a clear, concise and critical introduction to criminological concepts and constitute an invaluable resource for all criminology students and academics' - Professor Hazel Croall, Glasgow Caledonian University 'It is unusual for a dictionary to be interesting, but this one manages to be both compelling and useful for faculty and students across a range of disciplines and orientations who are commonly interested in criminology. The SAGE Dictionary of Criminology is also distinctive in providing a literally encyclopaedic compendium of information that has been carefully placed in social, cultural and political contexts.' - Professor Lynn Chancer, Hunter College, City University of New York `The list of new entries is quite impressive. Once you've read them, you start to wonder how come that the First Edition of The SAGE Dictionary of Criminology already felt so complete' - Dr René van Swaaningen, Erasmus University, Rotterdam `Thoughtful evaluations of the key concepts criminologists must think about by quality contributors who include many of the world's leading criminologists' - Professor John Braithwaite, Australian National University The Second Edition of the bestselling SAGE Dictionary of Criminology is the ultimate reference tool for students of criminology and criminal justice. It provides an accessible introduction to key theories, concepts and topics, offering comprehensive guidance through the field. The editors have brought together a group of internationally prominent academics and practitioners to produce this definitive reference and research tool. Each entry contains: " a definition of the concept or topic " distinctive features offering detailed comment on the concept's origins, development and general significance " evaluation of those concepts considered to have greatest theoretical weight and lasting legacy " associated concepts for cross-referencing and mapping connections across various fields and issues " key readings to enable the student to take their knowledge further The new edition contains thirty-six new entries covering subjects such as anti-social behaviour, globalization, human trafficking and terrorism. Selected entries have been revised and updated. This comprehensive text is the essential reference point for all students of criminology and criminal justice, at all levels. Praise for the First Edition `The compilers have done criminology a tremendous service. This dictionary is an invaluable resource for students and teachers and I'm certain will be a key reference work for years to come' - Professor Tim Newburn, London School of Economics `Great dictionaries inform, intrigue and investigate. McLaughlin and Muncie's perceptive collection does all three. The SAGE Dictionary of Criminology is wide and accessible enough to interest anyone concerned with crime, the law and the panoply of issues and explanations that surround them. This admirable volume will inform, guide and contribute to debates in the years ahead' - Ellis Cashmore, Professor of Culture, Media and Sport, Staffordshire University, author of Dictionary of Race and Ethnic Relations and co-editor of Dictionary of Cultural Theorists `McLaughlin and Muncie have assembled an impressive list of international contributors and have succeeded in putting together a wonderfully entertaining book... the Dictionary belongs on every criminologist's bookshelf' - Professor George Mair, Liverpool John Moores University (Criminal Justice: An International Journal 2:2) `The main strength of the project... lies in its attempts at integration of a wide range of themes and theoretical perspectives under one set of covers' - Professor John Raine, University of Birmingham (Youth Justice 2:1) `There is a genuine international feel to the compilation as a whole.... Nowadays, such has criminology grown, it is barely possible to keep up even in a narrowly defined sub-field, and a new dictionary is essential. Anyway, we will all have to read it because our students will. What a relief that it is such a pleasure to do so' - Jason Ditton, University of Sheffield (British Journal of Criminology 43:2)