The prize

The Stockholm Prize in Criminology

The Stockholm Prize in Criminology was established in 2005 to draw international attention to criminological research and its importance to crime prevention among policy makers and society at large. First awarded in 2006 and now the world’s largest and most prestigious criminology prize, it has been referred to as ‘the Nobel Prize of criminology’.

Since 2012, the prize has been awarded by the Stockholm Prize in Criminology Foundation, established by the Swedish government and the Torsten Söderberg Foundation. A prize amount of at least SEK 1 million is awarded.

An independent international jury selects its proposed laureate from a pool of nominees.

Over the years, the prize has promoted greater knowledge of the causes of crime at the individual and structural levels, a more effective and humane public policy regarding the treatment of criminals, increased awareness of alternative crime prevention measures within the justice system and civil society, practices to help victims of crime, and improved methods to reduce government abuse within the justice system on a global level.

Award ceremony at Stockholm City Hall

The prize is awarded during a formal ceremony at Stockholm City Hall, held in June in conjunction with the international Stockholm Criminology Symposium, a three-day event organised by the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention. The symposium brings together over 500 criminologists, other researchers, and practitioners from around the world, and focuses on topics within the prize winner’s research area along with other current topics in criminology.

H.M. The Queen has on several occasions presented the award in the presence of the Minister of Justice, representatives from the City of Stockholm, the Foundation’s board, researchers, donors, the international jury, and other guests. The award ceremony is followed by a banquet in the Golden Hall.

From idea to prestigious award

’The time is right to establish a major international prize in criminology, based in Stockholm’

Professor Jerzy Sarnecki

The idea of establishing a major award in criminology was conceived during a meeting in Paris between two professors: Lawrence W. Sherman from the University of Pennsylvania and Jerzy Sarnecki from the Department of Criminology at Stockholm University. At the time, Sherman was chairman of the Scientific Commission of International Society for Criminology and Sarnecki was a Commission member. The idea of establishing a ‘Nobel Prize’ in criminology was discussed during a dinner following the Commission’s meeting in Paris. Although it was initially thought to be unfeasible, contacts were made to attract the Swedish government’s interest in establishing a distinguished criminology award and discussions were initiated with potential donors.

Foundation laid for the Stockholm Prize in Criminology

The idea eventually gained traction. Progress was made with the support of then Minister of Justice Thomas Bodström and State Secretary Dan Eliasson, and subsequently Minister of Justice Beatrice Ask and the Swedish government. With the kind assistance of Ambassador Krister Kumlin, Messrs Bodström and Eliasson opened the way for talks on possibilities for establishing the prize.

During spring 2004, some twenty international potential donors – primarily American, British, and Swedish – were invited to discussions with the Ministry of Justice. Some accepted the invitation. The outline of the future award began to take shape. It was agreed that the award would be named The Stockholm Prize in Criminology and that the award ceremony would be held in June each year in Stockholm City Hall. The award prize was set at SEK 1 million. The decision was taken to endeavour to have the award presented by a member of the Swedish Royal Family. The idea of linking the award to a scientific symposium was raised.

The first prize awarded in 2006

The Stockholm Prize in Criminology was awarded for the first time in 2006. Five donors contributed to the award’s inaugural year:
the Jerry Lee Center of Criminology, the Japanese Correctional Association, the Hitachi Mirai Foundation, the Torsten Söderberg Foundation, and the Ragnar Söderberg Foundation. Jerry Lee, from the United States, undertook to contribute to funding the award for ten years through his organisation. The other donors determined to renew funding of the award on an annual basis. The donors’ geographical distribution was important, and was strengthened by Jerry Lee’s strong personal interest and his roots in America and Britain. The involvement of the two Söderberg Foundations, through Edvard Söderberg, ensured a Swedish base, and the two Japanese donors provided a connection beyond the European-American spheres.

An international jury was appointed, comprised of eleven distinguished criminologists from varying backgrounds and different countries. Professors Jerzy Sarnecki and Lawrence W. Sherman have served as co-chairs of the jury since its inception.

During the early years, the award was administered by the Ministry of Justice and the newly formed non-profit Stockholm Prize in Criminology Association, chaired by Supreme Administrative Court Justice Annika Brickman.

Since 2012, the prize has been awarded by the Stockholm Prize in Criminology Foundation, established by the Swedish government and the Torsten Söderberg Foundation.