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ASU's Decker receives criminology award


April 24, 2013

Scott Decker, Foundation Professor and director of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University, has received the Hans Mattick Award from the Center for Research in Law and Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

The award is given to an individual who has made a distinguished contribution to the field of criminology and criminal justice practice. The award is named in honor of Hans Mattick, the first director of the Center for Research in Law and Justice and a professor of criminal justice at UIC.

As the award recipient, Decker delivered the Hans W. Mattick Lecture. Titled "Hidden in Plain Sight: Walter Miller and the Legacy of the Gang Intervention in Boston," Decker's presentation was based on a follow-up research project he is leading on the nation's first gang intervention program conducted more than 50 years ago.

Decker previously spoke about the Walter Miller gang research project at Sam Houston University in Huntsville, Texas, last November, as the Beto Chair Lecturer.

Decker has served as director of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice since 2006. He previously chaired the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. One of the foremost experts on gangs, Decker is the co-author of "Confronting Gangs: Crime and Community" (third edition), published in February 2013.

Considered the most comprehensive and current textbook on gang research, gang policy, and law enforcement and community responses to gangs, Decker's book offers an unbiased analysis of the characteristics of gang members and gang behavior.

The American Society of Criminology (ASC) honored Decker in November 2012 by bestowing the title of Fellow.The honorary title is given to ASC members who have distinguished themselves in the field of criminology. Decker also was made a Fellow by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences in 2007.

Besides his study of gangs, Decker also specializes in the areas of criminal justice policy, violence and juvenile justice.