Thomas Mathiesen
Encyclopedia
Thomas Mathiesen is a Norwegian
sociologist.
Mathiesen studied sociology at the University of Wisconsin (B.A.
1955). He graduated as M.A.
in 1958 (major subject: sociology, minor subject: psychology
and social anthropology
) from the University of Oslo
, where he did his doctorate
in 1965. In 1972 he became professor for sociology of law
at the University of Oslo (emeritus
2004).
He was a visiting professor
at the University of California
in Santa Barbara (1967) and Berkeley (1975), the University of Tromsø
(1980), also the University of Warsaw
(1988) and the University of Bremen
(1988).
Together with Nils Christie
and Louk Hulsman
he is a distinguished representative of the prison abolition movement
. He writes in Norwegian and English, his books were translated into Swedish, Danish, German, Italian and Spanish and published in China.
Mathiesen was one of the inspirers of the British prisoners movement, Preservation of the Rights of Prisoners
(PROP) and even spoke at their foundation meeting.
Mathiesen also presented a paper at the eleventh symposium of the National Deviancy Conference in September 1972 entitled 'Strategies of Resistance within a Total Institution'.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
sociologist.
Mathiesen studied sociology at the University of Wisconsin (B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
1955). He graduated as M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in 1958 (major subject: sociology, minor subject: psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
and social anthropology
Social anthropology
Social Anthropology is one of the four or five branches of anthropology that studies how contemporary human beings behave in social groups. Practitioners of social anthropology investigate, often through long-term, intensive field studies , the social organization of a particular person: customs,...
) from the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
, where he did his doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in 1965. In 1972 he became professor for sociology of law
Sociology of law
The sociology of law is often described as a sub-discipline of sociology or an interdisciplinary approach within legal studies...
at the University of Oslo (emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
2004).
He was a visiting professor
Visiting scholar
In the world of academia, a visiting scholar or visiting academic is a scholar from an institution who visits a host university, where he or she is projected to teach , lecture , or perform research on a topic the visitor is valued for...
at the University of California
University of California
The University of California is a public university system in the U.S. state of California. Under the California Master Plan for Higher Education, the University of California is a part of the state's three-tier public higher education system, which also includes the California State University...
in Santa Barbara (1967) and Berkeley (1975), the University of Tromsø
University of Tromsø
The University of Tromsø is the world's northernmost university. Located in the city of Tromsø, Norway, it was established in 1968, and opened in 1972. It is one of eight universities in Norway. The University of Tromsø is the largest research and educational institution in northern Norway...
(1980), also the University of Warsaw
University of Warsaw
The University of Warsaw is the largest university in Poland and one of the most prestigious, ranked as best Polish university in 2010 and 2011...
(1988) and the University of Bremen
University of Bremen
The University of Bremen is a university of approximately 23,500 people from 126 countries that are studying, teaching, researching, and working in Bremen, Germany...
(1988).
Together with Nils Christie
Nils Christie
Nils Christie is a Norwegian sociologist and criminologist. He is a professor of criminology at the University of Oslo since 1966. Among his books is Pinens begrensning from 1981, which has been translated into eleven languages. He has received an honorary degree at the University of Copenhagen...
and Louk Hulsman
Louk Hulsman
Lodewijk Henri Christian Hulsman, known as Louk Hulsman was a Dutch legal scientist and criminologist.- Life :...
he is a distinguished representative of the prison abolition movement
Prison abolition movement
The prison abolition movement seeks to abolish prisons and the prison system. The movement advocates for the abolition of prisons and the prison system on the basis of it being ineffective. Prison abolitionists present a broad critique of the modern criminal justice system, which they believe to...
. He writes in Norwegian and English, his books were translated into Swedish, Danish, German, Italian and Spanish and published in China.
Mathiesen was one of the inspirers of the British prisoners movement, Preservation of the Rights of Prisoners
Preservation of the Rights of Prisoners
Preservation of the Rights of Prisoners was a prisoner's rights organisation set up in the early 1970s in the United Kingdom, which organised more than one hundred prison demonstrations, strikes and protests.-Formation:...
(PROP) and even spoke at their foundation meeting.
Mathiesen also presented a paper at the eleventh symposium of the National Deviancy Conference in September 1972 entitled 'Strategies of Resistance within a Total Institution'.
Publications & Articles
- Mathiesen, T. (1965) The Defences of the Weak: a Study of Norwegian Correctional Institution, London: Tavistock
- Mathiesen, T. (1972) Beyond the Boundaries of Organisations, California: Glendessary Press
- Mathiesen, T. (1974) The Politics of Abolition, London: Martin Robertson
- Mathiesen, T. (1983) "The future of control systems - the case of Norway" In: Garland, D. & Young, P. (eds) The Power to Punish, London: Heinemann
- Mathiesen, T. (1986) "The Politics of abolition", Contemporary Crises 10: 81-94