Press Release
CNA’s Scott Decker Wins American Society of Criminology Award
CNA’s chief research scientist in the Center for Justice Research and Innovation, Dr. Scott Decker, recently received the coveted August Vollmer Award from The American Society of Criminology.
The Vollmer Award recognizes an individual whose professional activities have made an outstanding contribution to justice and to the treatment or prevention of criminal or delinquent behavior. August Vollmer is known as the father of the current law enforcement system and a significant figure in the creation of the modern criminal justice system.
“This is a great honor,” said Decker. “Throughout my career I have worked to understand crime and justice in ways that could reduce the negative impacts on people’s lives. The centerpiece of this work is producing knowledge that is transformative, changing how the system works and improving the quality of life.”
Decker is an expert in criminal justice policy, gangs, violence, and the offender's perspective. He is Foundation Professor Emeritus of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University. Prior to working at ASU, Scott was a professor of criminology and criminal justice at University of Missouri-St. Louis. He is the author of 17 books, more than 150 articles and chapters, and more than 100 presentations in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Central America. His most recent book, “On Gangs,” was published by Temple University Press in January 2022.
In addition to his duties as Chief Scientist, Decker currently works on several CNA projects including the Smart Policing Initiative, body-worn cameras research, the Juvenile Justice System Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic project, and a study of gangs and gun violence in Aurora, Colorado.
Scott joins another CNA Justice team member as a Vollmer awardee. James "Chips" Stewart received the award in 1992.
For more information contact Liza Cordeiro at cordeirol@cna.org or 202-650-4456 or visit https://www.cna.org/centers/ipr/dma/ to learn more about CNA's work.
CNA is a nonprofit research and analysis organization dedicated to the safety and security of the nation. It operates the Institute for Public Research—which serves civilian government agencies—and the Center for Naval Analyses, the Department of the Navy’s federally funded research and development center (FFRDC). CNA develops actionable solutions to complex problems of national importance. With nearly 700 scientists, analysts, and professional staff, CNA takes a real-world approach to gathering data, working side by side with operators and decision-makers around the world. CNA’s research portfolio includes global security and strategic competition, homeland security, emergency management, criminal justice, public health, data management, systems analysis, naval operations, and fleet and operational readiness.
Note to writers and editors: CNA is not an acronym and is correctly referenced as "CNA, a research organization in Arlington, VA."