Alfred Blumstein

Alfred “Al” Blumstein, age 95, passed away on January 13, 2026 after living a full and distinguished life. He had a private family burial in Sharon, MA.

Al was known for his welcoming demeanor, curious mind, and strong work ethic. He was one of the most influential criminologists and public policy scholars of our time, using his combined talents in service of public good.

From Bronx Science to Cornell University on a New York Regents Scholarship his interest and focus on quantitative analysis emerged. Early on he became fascinated in the ability of operations research to provide quantitative analysis to augment strategic thinking and decision making. He was one of the first graduates of Cornell’s PhD program in Operations Research. Excited by the nascent Kennedy presidency, Al moved his family to Washington, DC after graduating, initially working at the Institute for Defense Analysis. In 1965 he was asked to be the Director for the newly formed science and technology task force of Lyndon Johnson’s President’s Crime Commission. As part of this work, he was the first to apply quantitative analysis to crime, sentencing and incarceration and pioneered the transformation of the field of criminology from largely a social science to one based on data and systems thinking.

His work shaped national debates on mass incarceration, sentencing reform, racial disparities and recidivism; and he advised multiple US presidential administrations and national commissions. The focus on data and quantitative research on the Commission led to the beginnings of the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) and a single national emergency number, which is now 911. His contributions were recognized with numerous honors including election to the National Academy of Engineering, and research grants. His National Consortium on Violence Research was National Science Foundation’s (NSF) largest social science award, at the time. His career accomplishments were recognized by being awarded the Stockholm Prize in Criminology in 2007, the field's highest international honor, given to him for his lasting impact on research and policy aimed at reducing crime and promoting human rights.

In all his endeavors, Al understood the importance of teamwork and the inclusion of diverse talents and perspectives. His team was drawn in by his dedication to the truth, his generous spirit and passion for impact. This unique ability to create community resulted in associates becoming lifelong colleagues and friends.

For more than 50 years, Al was a beloved professor at Carnegie Mellon University, where he played a foundational role in creating the School of Urban and Public Affairs (SUPA), which, as dean, he spearheaded its renaming to the H. John Heinz III College of Information Systems and Public Policy. In his roles, he mentored countless students and recruited faculty who are now leaders in the field.(I’d put the last sentence after he was a beloved professor.

In addition to all of his remarkable professional successes, Al built a rich and loving family life. He passed away two weeks shy of his 68th wedding anniversary to Dolores, the love of his life and partner in all things. Born in the Bronx, NY, Al was an only child raised by his mother, who immigrated to the United States from Bialystok. He leaves behind a family of whom he was immensely proud: his three daughters, Lisa (Glenn), Ellen (Jim) and Diane and four grandchildren, Sarah, Alex (Sophie), Eric (Becca), and Jake (Katherine). He delighted in all their achievements. His warmth and generosity extended to a wide circle of family, including nieces, nephews and cousins, all who knew him as a constant presence, a mentor, and a source of unwavering support. They are all dedicated to carrying him in their hearts and minds to continue his legacy. He died with his loving family by his side.

To honor Al's legacy, donations may be made to:

• Sentencing Project at https://www.sentencingproject.org

• Prison Book Program at https://prisonbookprogram.org