Understanding Crime Control and Punishment in Lithuania

This edited book provides a comprehensive study of punitive practices in modern-day Lithuania, highlighting its significance as a democratic European state navigating the continuing consequences of its Soviet-era criminal justice system. Punitive attitudes and practices are explored through a thematic framework, examining their socio-political, cultural, and historical contexts. Part I traces the cultural, psychological, and historical origins of punishment, highlighting the influence of collective memory and transitional reforms on penal debates. Part II examines the uneven application of criminal justice, showing how it unfairly punishes marginalised and disadvantaged communities. Part III explores advancements in probation, imprisonment, crime prevention, and victim support, showing how reforms can become both symbolic and oppressive. The book offers various criminological viewpoints that contribute to policy discussions about reducing excessive punishment, exploring alternatives, and promoting meaningful justice reform. This vital resource supports the work of scholars in criminology, sociology, law, and related fields focused on social justice and democratic reform.

Aleksandras Dobryninas is Professor of Sociology at the Department of Criminology at the Institute of Sociology and Social Work, Faculty of Philosophy, Vilnius University, Lithuania.
Simonas Nikartas is Associate Professor at the Department of Criminology at the Institute of Sociology and Social Work, Faculty of Philosophy, Vilnius University, Lithuania.