Book Review: Fisher, B. S., & Sloan, J. J. (Eds.). (2007). Campus Crime: Legal, Social, and Policy Perspectives (2nd ed.). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas. v., 347 pp

• Author: Christina M. Barnes
• DOI: 10.1177/0734016809331657
• Published date: 01 September 2009
• Date: 01 September 2009

level but argues that prosecutions for international crimes are different because of ‘‘different con-

texts’’and ‘‘different needs’’ (p. 129). The argument, simply put, is that it is necessary to secure more

convictions and that plea bargaining will achieve this aim. It remains the case, however, that, even

with plea bargaining, existing tribunals have been able to deal with only a small fraction of all pos-

sible cases. Even if plea bargaining will ‘‘increase the overall punishment imposed in the context of

each mass atrocity’’ (p. 131), is this a price worth paying if it comes at the legitimacy of the prosecu-

tions brought? Conscious of this argument, Combs argues that it is necessary to ameliorate the ‘‘out-

rage’’ that may be felt by victims in response to plea bargaining.

Chapter 8 argues that this can be best done through restorative justice. The main aspect of this

approach is described as follows: ‘‘a restorative-justice approach would require defendants pleading

guilty to provide a full and complete accounting of their crimes as part of a guilty plea’’ (p. 141). But

how is any such accounting to be judged as ‘‘full and complete?’’ What if victims—who Combs

argues should have ‘‘more and more-varied’’ involvement (p. 144)—dispute the accuracy of the

account? (And who decides which victims are to be involved in the process, especially if some indi-

viduals are victims on their own account of events but not that of the defendant?) Some answers to

the reader’s doubts about the practical applicability of a restorative justice model are found in chap-

ter 9, where Combs attempts to show how it might be applied in the context of several atrocities and

examines the limited use of restorative justice in current prosecutions, but uncertainties remain.

It would, however, be harsh to insist too strongly on such a criticism. Combs’ book is genuinely

novel and stimulating and will force any reader to rethink their existing preconceptions as to the

manner in which criminal prosecutions should be used as a response to mass atrocities. It fully

deserves to foster further debate on whether the approach advocated by Combs is the right one and

how best it might be implemented.

James Chalmers

University of Edinburgh

Fisher, B. S., & Sloan, J. J. (Eds.). (2007).

Campus Crime: Legal, Social, and Policy Perspectives

(2nd ed.). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas. v., 347 pp.

DOI: 10.1177/0734016809331657

Murder, rape, robbery, stalking, sexual harassment, cyber-crime, vandalism, and theft— Contrary

to popular belief, college and university campuses are not immune from crimes that can occur in any

other community. Although campus crime has always been a concern for students, parents, admin-

istrators, and security officials alike, recent events have further underscored the importance of cam-

pus safety. With this in mind, the second edition of Bonnie Fisher and John Sloan’s Campus Crime is

timely and provides a meaningful contribution to the campus crime literature.

The current edition of the book maintains the same contextual divisions of campus crime deli-

neated in the first edition: legal, social, and security. Each section includes an introduction and rel-

evant chapters that the editors believe ‘‘constitute the most pressing crime and security issues that

continue to face post-secondary administrators and their students, faculty and staff ‘‘ (p. xvii). The

chapter contributors consist primarily of academicians in the fields of criminal justice/criminology,

sociology, law and higher education, as well as campus security practitioners and representatives of

nonprofit organizations dedicated to campus safety.

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