By Robert Muggah First of two posts on urbanism and violence The sheer pace and scale of urbanization is precipitating one of the most dramatic demographic shifts in human history. More than half of the world’s population now resides in cities. At least 500 cities have populations greater than one million, including over 28 megacities with ten million or more inhabitants. … [Read more...] about The dangers of urban fragility
Why we need a radically different approach to prisons
By Martin F. Horn Even at their best, prisons are menacing environments. Bullying behavior is no stranger to high schools; we should not be surprised when it takes brutal shape in our prisons and jails. We call them gangs. Prisons and jails are environments of enforced scarcity. When we create this artificial scarcity we create an environment where an underground … [Read more...] about Why we need a radically different approach to prisons
Why crime journalism has to change
By Stephen Handelman Recently, in New York City, a group of public health professionals and crime experts came together at a conference to discuss how to apply public health concepts to the “epidemic” of mass incarceration in the United States. “Public health, incarceration and justice issues are inextricably linked, in both the causes of the incarceration rate, and in the … [Read more...] about Why crime journalism has to change
Re-Thinking Masculinity to Prevent Violence Against Women
What does machismo have to do with violence against women? Most people would say that the more aggressive a man is, the more violence he is likely to commit – against women and against other men. There is plenty of evidence to suggest this is true. But, we know that just telling men not to be machista anymore doesn’t work. … [Read more...] about Re-Thinking Masculinity to Prevent Violence Against Women
Will higher crime rates derail Haiti’s potential for prosperity?
By Julienne Gage A new report by the United Nations Office on Crime and Drugs shows that homicides in Haiti are on the rise. Still, Haitians could have reason to be optimistic about the country’s future. … [Read more...] about Will higher crime rates derail Haiti’s potential for prosperity?