Join us for the launch of ‘Bringing Criminological Theory to Life’, a cutting-edge new book that brings the theories of desistance and developmental criminology to life through the compelling life-story of William ‘Billy’ Mahaffey. This book is not just a collection of scholarly chapters; it is a vivid narrative that chronicles Billy's journey from soldier to prisoner, university student, father, and acclaimed athlete.

Event Highlights:

Introduction by David Maguire from Prison Reform Trust

Gain insights from a leading voice in prison reform.

Meet and Engage with Key Figures, book subject William Mahaffey, and editors Emily Turner, Rose Broad, Caroline Miles, and Shadd Maruna.

Dive deep into the book's content, ask questions, and engage in meaningful discussions.

Hear Directly from Chapter Authors and Leading Criminologists

University of Manchester: Dr Lisa Williams, Dr Will Floodgate, Dr Laura Bui, Brogan Pritchard

University of Hull: Dr Helen Nichols

Anglia Ruskin University: Dr Emma Murray

Royal Holloway University of London: Professor Rosie Meek, Dr Hannah Hammond

This book features essays on pivotal issues from Billy’s life, including adverse childhood experiences, to the intersection of military veterans and criminal justice to the importance of cultivating supportive social networks and the role of sport in moving away from crime. Inspired by teaching styles that incorporate real-life experiences shared by prison-based students, ‘Bringing Criminological Theory to Life’ presents a vibrant and accessible approach to academic analysis.

Sensitive Topics: The book discusses sensitive issues such as suicide, adverse childhoods, and prison experiences. Please ensure you engage with this event in a way that feels safe for you. A full content warning can be found below. This will also be emailed to all attendees.

Who should attend?
This event is open to all however it will be particularly interesting for practitioners, policy makers and academics working in the areas of suicide prevention, adverse childhood experiences and crime, life course criminology, the army-prison trajectory, the experiences of prison and probation, education in prison, journeys out of crime, sport and desistance: and assisted desistance.

Additional Details:
The symposium will run for roughly 90 minutes followed by a Q&A and then a networking reception starting at 4.30pm.

About the Editors:
Emily Turner is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Criminology at The University of Manchester with research expertise in prison experience, desistance, fathers in prison, education in prison, Learning Together, and the response to equality and diversity in prisons.

Rose Broad is Professor of Criminology at The University of Manchester, and is currently Head of Department. Her research focuses on human trafficking and modern slavery, particularly in relation to people responsible for and policy directed towards these activities and the ways in which human trafficking, modern slavery and policy intersect with gender to create different outcomes

Caroline Miles is Senior Lecturer in Criminology at The University of Manchester with research expertise in various forms gender-based violence, including adolescent to parent violence and parricide, domestic abuse, ‘honour’-based abuse, and femicide.

Shadd Maruna is the Chair of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology at the University of Liverpool. His research is dedicated to understanding crime and justice in a life course perspective, in particular, trying to understand routes out of criminality and ways that the justice system impedes (or less frequently, supports) this process of desistance from crime.

'Bringing Criminological Theory to Life' Book Launch