International Journal on Criminology Volume 7, Number 1, Winter 2019/2020 | Page 4

International Journal on Criminology • Volume 7, Number 1 • Winter 2019/2020
Foreword: Every October When
the Leaves Begin to Turn
Washington in October can be quite remarkable if the sun makes an appearance
and the leaves turn scarlet and gold. Another noteworthy appearance
in Washington every October is the annual conference on
criminology, which is closely tied to this journal. Please see http://www.ipsonet.
org/conferences
Presenting at the conferences is a good start on a journal article and inevitably
produces new ideas. There are lots of other good reasons for being in
Washington at that time of the year, which is notable for bursts of energy from
the museums and music and theatre organizations. So consider this a personal
invitation to join us.
The venue of the annual criminology conference is the old and historic
Quaker meeting house. This is highly appropriate because when the Quakers came
to Washington in 1807 they were, and still are, full of ideas for reforming the criminal
code and changing the conditions in prisons. One can see in the building the
timbers scrounged from salvaging the ruins of the White House after it was burnt
in the War of 1812. Just recently three old stone structures on their campus have
been sympathetically linked and are surrounded by gardens. It’s a most congenial
atmosphere and is right by Dupont Circle with its cafes and bookshops.
We hope with our help that we give the challenges facing criminology the
attention they deserve, and that you will join us. We will be the better for your
presence and your ideas.
Paul Rich
President, Policy Studies Organization
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