Rural criminology is a growing field of scholarship that centers place. The rural context uniquely impacts criminal offending behavior, victimization, access to justice, and the formal justice system response. Rural communities are not monolithic; however, common features such as geographic isolation, dense social networks, and limited resources can be found in rural areas worldwide. These characteristics can both exacerbate and mitigate certain types of crime. Historically, poor definitions of rurality and neglect of rural areas by scholars and policymakers have resulted in a lack of robust rural crime and victimization data. Additionally, underreporting of crime and aspects of the rural context helps ensure that much victimization in rural areas remains largely hidden. Critical resources and materials come from rural areas, and particularly as globalization continues, crime and safety in these settings not only affect rural residents’ quality of life but also impact broader economies.
It is increasingly apparent that assumptions and recommendations from urban-centric criminological research cannot simply be applied to rural and remote areas. Research from across the globe suggests that many crime issues—such as gender-based violence, agricultural crime, wildlife and environmental crime, and drug cultivation, to name a few—are indeed prevalent in rural settings, sometimes even more so than in urban locations. Evidence-based policing practices and strategies that are effective in urban areas are often impossible to implement in rural agencies because of differences in the availability of funds, technology, and staffing. Shortages of laweyers and courts in rural communities limit access to justice, especially for marginalized populations. Reentry after incarceration can be even more challenging when support services are limited and damage to reputation spreads. As empirical and theoretical research in this field continues, it should strive to include international perspectives to help create better theories of place and give a voice to victims, offenders, and justice system actors in rural communities around the globe.
