The Rutgers-Newark School of Criminal Justice (SCJ) mourns the passing of Professor Andreas (Andrew) von Hirsch, one of the school’s earliest faculty members and one of the most influential scholars in modern criminology and penal theory. Professor von Hirsch served on the SCJ faculty from 1975 to 1996, where his scholarship on sentencing and punishment helped establish Rutgers as a global leader in criminological research.

A leading advocate for proportionality in sentencing and one of the principal architects of modern “just deserts’ theory, Professor von Hirsch transformed scholarly and policy discussions surrounding punishment. Much of his influential work was developed during his years at Rutgers, helping define sentencing scholarship as one of SCJ’s enduring strengths.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of Professor von Hirsch’s passing” said Nancy La Vigne, Dean of SCJ. “I had the privilege of studying with him as a doctoral student. He challenged his students to think critically, defend their positions thoughtfully, and approach difficult questions with intellectual honesty.”

Following his time at Rutgers, Professor von Hirsch joined the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Criminology, where he continued his distinguished career as an internationally respected scholar and leader in criminology.

Professor von Hirsch leaves behind a lasting legacy through his scholarship, his mentorship, and the generations of students and scholars whose work continues to be influenced by his commitment to justice, rigorous inquiry, and principled sentencing policy.

“His scholarship shaped the field, and his influence helped build the School of Criminal Justice’s reputation as a leader in sentencing research,” added La Vigne. “We will  always remember and appreciate everything he has done for our program and the field.”

More information about Professor von Hirsch can be found here.