Enrico Ferri was an Italian criminologist who played a key role in the development of criminology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Here's a breakdown of his contributions:
Social and Economic Influences on Crime: Ferri differed from his mentor, Cesare Lombroso, who focused on biological factors. Ferri believed social and economic conditions were prime drivers of criminal behavior Wikipedia.
Focus on Crime Prevention: Ferri argued that preventing crime was more important than simply punishing criminals after the fact. He advocated for social reforms to address poverty and inequality, which he saw as root causes of crime Wikipedia.
Founder of Criminal Sociology: Ferri established the field of criminal sociology, which examines the social factors that contribute to crime. His 1884 book, "Criminal Sociology," laid out his theories Wikipedia.
Political Activism: Ferri was a socialist who believed social justice was crucial in reducing crime. He served as editor of the socialist newspaper Avanti! Wikipedia.
Ferri's work helped move criminology away from biological determinism and towards a more sociological understanding of criminal behavior. His ideas continue to influence criminologists more_vert