Hans Toch

Hans Toch (October 19, 1929 – June 18, 2018) was an Austrian-born American social psychologist and criminologist. He was a prominent researcher and writer on topics including violence, policing, imprisonment, prison reform, and psychotherapy. Toch spent much of his career as a professor at the University at Albany, SUNY (State University of New York), where he was a Distinguished Professor in the School of Criminal Justice.

Biography and Career

Born in Vienna, Austria, Toch's family fled the Nazi regime, eventually settling in the United States. He earned his undergraduate degree from City College of New York and his Ph.D. in social psychology from Princeton University. After serving in the U.S. Army, he held positions at various institutions before joining the University at Albany in 1967. He was a central figure in the development of the School of Criminal Justice at Albany, which became a leading center for criminological research. Toch remained active in research and writing well after his formal retirement.

Research and Contributions

Toch made significant contributions to several fields, integrating psychological perspectives with criminological and sociological issues. His major areas of focus included:

• Violence: He conducted extensive research on the psychology of violence, including studies on violent individuals, prison violence, and aggression. His work explored the subjective experiences of violent offenders and the situational factors contributing to violence.
• Policing: Toch studied police work, police culture, and police-community relations. He examined the psychological demands of policing and advocated for reforms to improve police effectiveness and accountability.
• Prisons and Imprisonment: A substantial portion of his work focused on the experience of imprisonment, prison environments, and strategies for prison reform. He was particularly interested in the psychological impact of incarceration and methods for managing difficult inmates and reducing prison violence. His research often informed policy discussions about correctional practices.
• Psychotherapy: Earlier in his career, Toch also researched and wrote about psychotherapy and social influence.

Toch was known for his empirical research, often utilizing qualitative methods like in-depth interviews alongside quantitative analysis. He authored or co-authored numerous books and articles that remain influential in criminology and criminal justice.

Selected Publications

• Violent Men (1969)
• Living in Prison: The Ecology of Survival (1977) (with Kenneth Adams)
• Police as Problem Solvers: A Perspective on Clinical Consultation (1989)
• Mosaic of Despair: Human Breakdowns in Prison (1992)
• The Disturbed Violent Offender (2002) (with John Klofas)

Legacy

Hans Toch was highly respected for his rigorous research, his ability to connect psychological theory with practical issues in criminal justice, and his advocacy for more humane and effective correctional practices. His work continues to be cited and to influence research and policy in criminology, policing, and corrections. He received numerous awards and honors for his contributions throughout his career.