Vinson's long and diverse career in
social research, education, government services,
prison reform, and community development, has included many projects on social disadvantage and young people. Vinson has also studied the impact of cumulative medico-social problems and life opportunities generally. The determinative influence of education (or life prospects) has remained a theme in this strand of his research, culminating in the recent publication of an influential study on the distribution of social disadvantage in
Victoria and
New South Wales. "Our findings demand recognition of a common pattern associated with inadequate education and training–unemployment, low income, poor health and 'making ends meet' by criminal means, resulting in high rates of convictions and imprisonment. Where these characteristics are concentrated there, too, we find high levels of confirmed child maltreatment."
Judicial accountability In September 1986, Vinson released a report dealing with the sentencing of drug cases in the
NSW District Court between 1980 and 1982, which purported to find that a particular judge had exercised leniency in dealing with clients of a particular solicitor. It was revealed later that Judge
John Foord was the judge in question. He was stood down from the District Court in September 1986 and resigned on medical grounds later that year. One consequence of these and other events was the passing of the
Judicial Officers Act 1986, establishing a formalised system of judicial accountability.
Australian Social Inclusion Board On 21 May 2008, Vinson was announced as a founding member of the Australian Social Inclusion Board, which brought together leaders from around the country to tackle disadvantage.
Other work • 1962–69 Tutor, lecturer, School of Sociology and Social Work, University of New South Wales. • 1969–71 Senior Lecturer, Department of Social Work, University of Sydney. • 1971–76 Foundation Director, Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, NSW Department of Attorney General and Justice – undertaking wide-ranging social as well as criminological research. • 1976–79 Foundation Professor of Behavioural Science in Medicine, University of Newcastle. • 1979–81 chairman, NSW Corrective Services Commission • Oct 1981– Professor, School of Social Work, University of New South Wales. Vinson once wrote a
jazz single which was aired on
ABC radio. == Honours and awards ==