• What was it that drove you to get involved in criminology?

A series of decisions: Initially, before graduating from secondary school I had already chosen my theoretical direction, notably the Science of Themis (Science  of Law)1, despite the fact that I was fascinated by mathematics (especially algebra), design and architecture.

Secondly my decision was influenced by my studies at the Law School of Athens University, when I first came in contact with a very interesting subject that was humane, with philosophical implications and social concerns.

Thirdly, my career as a scientific assistant at the Institute of International and Foreign Law where I began to review the books and journals that dealt with the criminological sciences, sociology, philosophy of law and family law.

Moreover a major contributor to my selection of criminological science - was a brief voluntary counseling at the Greek Institute of Education for Delinquent Girls. There I saw, (a) my personal shortcomings – despite my graduation from the Law School I didn’t have the appropriate qualifications for this position - and (b) the shortcomings of the Prison system.

Finally, my decision to visit institutions in the U.S. and glean knowledge of the treatment of prisoners. Criminology, in its broadest sense, had won me over. My six-month stay, according to the plan, showed me that simple visits to institutions and discussions with experts, however well organized, did not lead to the acquisition of insightful knowledge.

Therefore, using my law degree I was accepted into the University of Loyola, where my tutor formulated, especially for me, a program for monitoring and examinations in various subjects areas such as sociology, psychology, counseling, and psychiatry.

• How difficult was it to get involved in criminology, when as a science in Greece it was at such an early stage of development?

Indeed, my return to Greece was a hard landing, especially since whilst waiting for the three-member committee to read my thesis, I had already been assigned, initially as a researcher and then as Director of Information, for matters of justice for juvenile offenders from the "National Council of Juvenile Judges” that resided in the American Bar Association – of America, not an individual state. So, I had at my disposal a vast library and incredible research facilities. The "information" was to provide legal answers to questions on legislation and case law as presented in books and practice (law in the books and law in action). Questions addressed to the Council came from Judges, legislative work committees, etc. and concerned either the law of a particular European country, a continent (eg Australia, which has a developed criminological and crime prevention policy) or a U.S. state.

• How has the situation developed in the field of Criminological science today?

Myself and several peers have written about the development of criminology in Greece, especially in recent years. Here the subject of Criminology, in the broadest sense, is taught at six universities in the country (Athens, Thessaloniki, Panteion, Thrace, Aegean, Peloponnese) in Technical Educational Institutes (TEI) for Social Services, at the Police Academy and elsewhere. These institutions also conduct research. Criminal investigation is also promoted by the National Centre for Social Research. The latter’s publishing activities contributed significantly to the establishment and development of Criminology in our country. These days a research on the quality of life of children in schools in the district of the City of Athens is being completed. The research is conducted in cooperation with the Deputy Mayor and raises key issues such as the student aggression, violence in schools, the distribution of addictive substances, etc.

• Are you satisfied with the level of our country compared with the European or international equivalent?

• What is the role of criminologists today?

• How do the different backgrounds of criminologists, e.g. law, sociology, psychology, shape the science?

• What do you anticipate will change with the new generation of criminologists, and what advice would you give them?

The previous comments point to a general and more specific deficit.

The general deficit concerns:
- Research
- Competition for adequate research funds for the participation of Greece in European and international (via the UN) research (e.g. research of victimization) and
- Timely availability of crime statistics, comparable with Eurostat.

• How does the lack of criminological education affect police, lawyers, judges (and others) in the criminal justice system?

• In what areas does our country’s criminal justice system need immediate improvement?

I think there are five key areas requiring immediate action:
- Institutionalization and experimental implementation of restorative justice (extra-judicial settlement of minor crimes, mediation, victim compensation, etc.)
- Implementation of provisions that have existed since 1991 and provide for extra-institutional sentencing (suspended sentencing, conditional release with supervision, community service), but that have not been implemented for various reasons.
- Experimental and non-coercive implementation of electronic surveillance for certain criminals
- adopting the principle of expediency in the prosecution of certain crimes,
- evaluation by research institutions of procedural reforms made to streamline the administration of criminal justice and relieve the courts, generally any legislative changes should be assessed after two years of application.

• What was the best moment you remember from your academic career?

My academic career did not have a single "best moment" but rather a series of them, often very positive and emotional moments. I remember:
- My contribution to the creation of the Graduate Program of the Department of Criminal Sciences at the School of Law, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens and its approval by the Ministry of Education and Religious Studies,
- My active presence, more accurately not mine, but the Legal Department of the University of Athens, at universities in the Member States of the EU-15 as president of the Legal Department of the Erasmus / Socrates programmes,
- My collaboration in passages or papers presented at meetings of the UN, the Council of Europe or Greek law making committees, particularly when, after their publication, I could recognize my contribution.

I would like to conclude this interview with my congratulations to all those working in the Centre for Penal and Criminological Research, and my colleague Mr N. Courakis, who inspires you. I would also request that you read the above bearing in mind that my answers retain a didactic nature. Perhaps this is due to the challenges contained within these interesting questions. Perhaps because secretly, I wished to convey to younger generations the way our Law School worked...in the last century!