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About
Criminologist, Scholar, & Consultant
Jeffrey Ian Ross, Ph.D., is a criminologist at the University of Baltimore and co-founder of Convict Criminology. His approach is shaped by nearly a decade of work before entering academia, as a courier, cab driver, corrections worker, and union shop steward. It is further grounded in three decades of visiting correctional facilities across North America, Europe, and South America, researching the conditions inside them, and having conversations with convicts and correctional officers and administrators. It also draws on interviews with formerly incarcerated people outside those facilities, and on ethnographic fieldwork on street culture and on graffiti and street art internationally. Ross has published more than thirty books and shares his expertise on corrections, policing, political crime, street culture, and graffiti and street art through scholarship, public writing, speaking, media commentary, and consulting.











Why the Fun Lovin’ Criminals Matter
/by Jeffrey Ian RossMy taste in music is eclectic. I like selected songs, musicians, and bands from almost all genres of music, and sometimes, I find myself hating songs that I used to enjoy. That being said, one of my longstanding favorite bands is Fun Lovin’ Criminals. How did the Band Form, and how have they Evolved Fun […]
Rethinking Utility Markings in Urban Public Spaces
/by Jeffrey Ian RossCities and similar places provide numerous benefits, but these are also balanced with several drawbacks. One such issue is the debris, dislocation, and noise caused by periodic construction, repair, and maintenance of buildings, structures, and utilities. Less acknowledged amongst these externalities is the spray painting done to identify underground utilities. These assorted blue, orange, […]
2024: The Year in Review—Surprises, Lessons, & a Few Doozies
/by Jeffrey Ian RossOver the past year at “Ross Industries,” we’ve stayed committed to publishing a weekly blog, trying to produce thoughtful (and occasionally humorous) commentary on topics that resonate with both my readers and me. While I consistently evaluate and refine the blog throughout the year, the last week of December is a time for deeper reflection […]