Internal Migration, Crime, and Punishment in Contemporary China

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This work explores inequality and social exclusion in contemporary Chinese society, focusing on urbanization, migration, and crime. Since the economic reforms of the late 1970s, China has experienced significant urbanization and mass migration from rural to urban areas, presenting new societal challenges. While extensive research has addressed rural-to-urban migration and its social implications, this volume offers a fresh perspective by linking internal migration, inequality, social exclusion, and crime through qualitative research on individual experiences. It includes case studies from interviews with male and female inmates in a large Chinese prison, highlighting the subjective experiences of migrant offenders and analyzing their perspectives. The research reveals how factors such as the hukou system, class and gender inequalities, and biases against rural migrants contribute to criminal behavior. The author argues for addressing the root causes of these issues through radical hukou reforms, fostering cultural acceptance of newcomers, and implementing programs to better integrate migrant workers into urban settings, rather than imposing harsher penalties. While focused on China, the findings have broader implications for regions facing similar migration-related tensions. This work will appeal to researchers in criminology, criminal justice, sociology, law, and social justice, particularly those interested in Asia.