The theory of targeted deterrence holds that many homicides, including youth homicides, can be prevented by working with a small number of individuals linked to other small groups of individuals in conflict. By focusing on the individuals most likely to commit such violence, the police and other societal actors can use various tactics to deter lethal violence. The application of targeted deterrence to loosely connected criminal networks has helped reduce youth homicides in countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. The method is currently also being used in Sweden.

The fact that the findings of Professors Braga and Kennedy’s work have been so successful in saving lives serves as an example of how criminology can be of great benefit to humanity.

In his research, Anthony A. Braga has contributed systematic reviews of targeted deterrence (a strategy also known as “pulling levers” or “Operation Ceasefire”). Braga’s fifty evaluations, including nine randomized studies, indicated that lethal violence decreased by an average of 23 percent through the application of this strategy. In the nine most rigorous studies, the reduction amounted to 16 percent. The award jury notes that applying this strategy to millions of young people could save—or has already saved—thousands of lives.

Braga holds the Jerry Lee Chair in Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania, where he is also director of the Crime and Justice Lab and has been teaching since 2021. He is a fellow of the American Society of Criminology.

David M. Kennedy, through his leadership, has spearheaded many of the initiatives evaluated by Anthony Braga. In many U.S. cities, including Boston, Baltimore, Detroit, and Kansas City, he has provided the analytical framework and the persuasive skills needed to try something new. By linking his initiatives to impact evaluations, Kennedy enabled Braga to produce systematic evidence of their effects.

Kennedy is a professor of criminal law at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York and director of the National Network for Safe Communities at the same institution. He has also been awarded an honorary doctorate in law from Swarthmore.

About the Stockholm Prize in Criminology

The Stockholm Prize in Criminology is an international award presented annually. The prize is sponsored by the Stockholm Prize in Criminology Foundation, which was established by the Torsten Söderberg Foundation and the Swedish government. The prize was awarded for the first time in 2006. Several international organizations also make significant contributions to the prize. The prize is awarded for outstanding achievements in criminological research or for the practical application of research findings related to crime prevention and the promotion of human rights. An independent international jury selects the laureates based on nominations. The award ceremony will take place in June 2027 at Stockholm City Hall and will coincide with the Stockholm Criminology Symposium.

Torsten Söderberg Foundation and the award
Stockholm Prize in Criminology
Stockholm Criminology Symposium

Photo: Lisa Helfert