Daniel P. Mears

Daniel P. Mears is a Distinguished Research Professor and Mark C. Stafford Professor of Criminology at Florida State University’s College of Criminology & Criminal Justice. His research focuses on crime causation, criminal and juvenile justice policy, and public opinion analysis with a strong emphasis on prison systems and mental health dynamics. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin (1998).

Mears has led major research initiatives funded by the National Institute of Justice and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, including studies on restrictive housing impacts, school safety partnerships, and juvenile justice sanctions. His work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing evidence-based policy solutions.

Key contributions include influential books such as *Out-of-Control Criminal Justice: The Systems Improvement Solution* (2017) and *American Criminal Justice Policy* (2010, winner of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences’ Outstanding Book Award). His research addresses systemic challenges in criminal justice, prison management, and recidivism reduction.

He currently serves as a National Policing Institute board member and contributes to leading journals. His recent work critiques deterrence-based policies and explores prison personnel perspectives on solitary confinement, while advocating for comprehensive systems reforms to enhance safety, accountability, and equity.