Robert Martinson

Robert Martinson
Freedom Rider mugshot from 1961
Born(1927-05-19)May 19, 1927
Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
DiedAugust 11, 1979(1979-08-11) (aged 52)
Manhattan, New York City, US
EducationUniversity of California, Berkeley. B.A., M.A., Ph.D.
OccupationCriminologist
Known for"Nothing works" doctrine regarding prisoner rehabilitation
Spouse
Rita J. Carter
​
(m. 1961)​

Robert Magnus Martinson (May 19, 1927 – August 11, 1979) was an American sociologist, whose 1974 study "What Works?", concerning the shortcomings of existing prisoner rehabilitation programs, was highly influential, creating what became known as the "nothing works" doctrine.[1] His later studies were more optimistic, but less influential at the time.[2] He served as chairman of the Sociology Department at the City College of New York, and then founded the Center for Knowledge in Criminal Justice Planning.[3][4]

  1. ^ Sarre, Rick (2005). "Beyond what works: A retrospective of Robert Martinson's famous article". In O'Toole, Sean; Eyland, Simon (eds.). Corrections Criminology. Hawkins Press. pp. 162–68. ISBN 187606-717-9.
  2. ^ Sifakis, Carl (2003). "Martinson, Robert". The Encyclopedia of American Prisons. Facts on File. pp. 157–58. ISBN 0-8160-4511-9.
  3. ^ "Records of the Center for Knowledge in Criminal Justice Planning". Lloyd Sealy Library, John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Retrieved 2015-08-09.
  4. ^ Wohlfert, Lee (Feb 23, 1976). "Criminologist Bob Martinson Offers a Crime-Stopper: Put a Cop on Each Ex-Con". People. 5 (7): 20.