Latest issue of Crimnal Law Forum: "Celebrating the Career of Michael Tonry"

I am pleased to see that the June 2025 issue of the Criminal Law Forum, which servs as the "Official Journal of the Society for the Reform of Criminal Law," is devoted to celebrating the work of sentencing guru Michael Tonry.  There are 12 articles in the issue that all look worthy of a close read, and I will likely spotlight a number of the indiviaul articles in coming posts in coming weeks.  Here I will just urge everyone to check out the full issue and quote a bit from this introduction authored by the issue editors Alessandro Corda and Julian V. Roberts (which should be read in full):

Over nearly five decades of rigorous inquiry and prolific writing, Tonry has challenged conventions, reshaped theoretical paradigms, and guided policymakers toward a more just and humane approach to criminal justice.  Through his work, he has left an indelible mark — one which provides critical insights into the ethical, social, and practical dimensions of criminal law and justice.  Although trained as a lawyer, Tonry is equally at home in the fields of empirical research, penal philosophy, and political science. Furthermore, as a compelling advocate for comparative analysis and the importance of learning from different systems to improve understanding and policymaking, Tonry has emphasized the need for criminologists and criminal justice scholars and professionals to transcend national boundaries.  He has drawn on diverse legal and social frameworks to enrich the development of more effective, equitable solutions to deal with crime and criminal justice-involved individuals.

Tonry’s analyses have consistently highlighted the ethical weaknesses and empirical deficiencies of punitive policies in the United States and elsewhere.  Throughout his research and writings, he has stressed the need for evidence-based reforms. He has compellingly argued that we already possess the knowledge to build criminal justice systems that are both effective and humane....

This special issue of Criminal Law Forum reflects on Michael Tonry’s enduring legacy, honoring his profound contributions to punishment theory, sentencing, criminology, and comparative criminal justice, while also identifying ways to build on his work and chart new directions for those fields.  Featuring contributions from leading scholars from around the world, it explores the enduring impact of Tonry’s ideas and celebrates his commitment to advancing justice through evidence, reason, and compassion.  The articles in this special issue represent both a tribute to Tonry’s influence and a testament to the ongoing relevance of his work in the pursuit of more just punishment policies and practices.  But while this type of collection usually marks a professional retirement, this is far from being the case. Michael Tonry continues to publish at the same high level of scholarship and with the same remarkable degree of productivity, remaining an influential and key figure in the field.