Daniel Preston Mears

Daniel Preston Mears is the Mark C. Stafford Professor of Criminology at the Florida State University College of Criminology & Criminal Justice. He is a highly influential scholar in the field of criminology, ranked as the second most influential American criminologist in a 2011 assessment of scholarly contributions. Mears is a Fellow of the American Society of Criminology and has established himself as a leading expert on criminal justice policy, supermax prisons, immigration and crime, and juvenile justice.

Mears' research interests span multiple critical areas of criminology, with particular emphasis on the study of supermax prisons and restrictive housing, immigration and crime relationships, causes of offending, sentencing practices, and juvenile justice policy. His work often takes a systems approach to understanding criminal justice, as reflected in his award-winning book 'Out-of-Control Criminal Justice: The Systems Improvement Solution for More Safety, Justice, Accountability, and Efficiency' (2017).

His extensive publication record shows consistent scholarly output across multiple domains of criminology, with recent work increasingly focused on the psychological and systemic impacts of restrictive housing practices on both incarcerated individuals and correctional staff. His research demonstrates a strong commitment to evidence-based approaches to criminal justice policy and practice.

Mears has received significant recognition for his scholarly contributions:

• Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences' Outstanding Book Award (2010)
• Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences' Outstanding Book Award (2019)
• Fellow of the American Society of Criminology
• Ranked as second most influential American criminologist (2011)

Mears has secured substantial research funding from major federal agencies including the National Institute of Justice, National Institute on Drug Abuse, and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, as well as state agencies and prominent foundations. His research has been widely covered in national media outlets including the New York Times, Washington Post, and international publications, demonstrating the real-world impact of his work on criminal justice policy discussions.

Throughout his career, Mears has maintained a strong commitment to both scholarly rigor and practical application of research findings to improve criminal justice systems. His work bridges academic research and policy implementation, making significant contributions to evidence-based criminal justice practices.