In Memory of Mirek Scheinost

PhDr. Miroslav Scheinost 

*19. 1. 1949   †1. 6. 2026 

In recent days, we were deeply saddened to learn of the sudden passing of PhDr. Miroslav Scheinost, Director Emeritus of the Institute of Criminology and Social Prevention.  

A leading figure in Czech criminology has passed away—a man who loved his work and diligently sought to advance knowledge and bring about positive change within his field. The criminological community has lost a creative individual who was able to combine his professional expertise with his personal values, who passionately defended scientific findings, and who was a model of diligence and the ability to engage in well-informed dialogue. He was among those figures who are respected even in an international context.

He was born in Sušice, South Bohemia, but spent most of his childhood in Prague. There, he completed high school and later enrolled at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University. He studied and graduated with a dual major in sociology and ethnography. After completing his studies, he worked in the field of sports - due to the lack of public interest in sociology at the time. In 1990, he was hired by the Institute of Criminology, initially in the documentation department; however, due to his conceptual skills, he was soon promoted to the research staff and played a full role in various research projects. In 2000, he was appointed head of the Institute of Criminology and Social Prevention and subsequently won the competitive selection process to become the Institute’s director, a position in which he worked intensively for many years. 

As a manager, he was popular among his staff because, despite his clear vision for running the institution, he gave employees ample opportunity to apply their personal skills and innovative approaches to their research work. He ensured that the findings of the scientific work were made available to the broader professional community and could be put to practical use.

He made a significant contribution to the preservation and advancement of criminological and penological research, to the dissemination of scientific findings, to their systematic incorporation into university textbooks, to the sharing of international knowledge and the exchange of domestic information, to the application of key findings in practice, and to the promotion of new preventive and rehabilitation approaches. He was a good listener and could speak eloquently on a wide range of topics; he was constructive and objective, often drawing on his excellent memory, and was well-read and well-informed. He supported the activities of various professional and interest groups; in particular, he was instrumental in the founding of the Czech Criminological Society and collaborated actively and consistently with the Social Pathology Section of the Czech Sociological Society. His friendly nature and thoughtful approach were evident in everything he undertook. He also devoted his attention to young people and sought to promote ideals for living. 

Dr. Scheinost was married; last year he celebrated 51 years of marriage. He had two daughters and a son from this marriage and was the grandfather of four grandchildren. In his personal life, he had many friends with whom he enjoyed spending time and socializing. He played the guitar and sang well; he was interested in history and cultural events, kept up with sports and current affairs, read extensively, and enjoyed exploring and traveling. He was also skilled with his hands and had an interest in learning about a wide variety of human activities.  

It can be said that Miroslav Scheinost led a life rich in creativity, serving as an example and an inspiration to us all. We will miss him.  

PhDr. Kazimír Večerka, CSc.