Changing Lives

“Changing Lives offers a clear and penetrating analysis of the current state of delinquency prevention and intervention efforts in this country. The good news is that there are a significant number of delinquency prevention programs that meet a high scientific standard for demonstrated effectiveness; the bad news is that many of the most popular prevention programs and strategies in current use are ineffective. Peter Greenwood makes a compelling case for the claim that implementing more effective delinquency prevention programs is the best strategy for controlling crime. His recommendations for advancing this agenda are well conceived and practical and offer some realistic hope for developing a truly effective crime-control program in this country.”--Delbert S. Elliott, director, Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, University of Colorado at Boulder

“Peter Greenwood is the dean of delinquency prevention policy in America, and this handy volume is likely to become the standard reference book for the field. Greenwood’s mission is to summarize concisely what works and what does not work in the field of delinquency prevention, but in so doing, he also gives tutorial lessons in research methodology, cost-effectiveness analysis, and political analysis of why some programs live on well past their demonstrated failure. Ultimately, he argues persuasively in favor of a culture of accountability, the scientific method, and prevention, all laced with political savvy.--Kenneth A. Dodge, William McDougall Professor of Public Policy and director, Center for Child and Family Policy, Duke University