The Official History of Criminal Justice in England and Wales

"It would be a mistake for most criminologists to relegate the topic of court reform to the arcane attentions of specialist, insider lawyers. On the contrary, there is rich and abundant material here for theorists interested in the formation of the state and the mutual relationship and obligations of citizens to the state and it to them. Paul Rock has painstakingly ensured that the significance of this re-shaping, dragging the organisation of the criminal courts into the 20th century, is traced in powerful detail. But he has also demonstrated how much scope there is for further original historical research, revealing how little attention had been given by social scientists and historians to the manner in which, for example, the prosecutorial system worked in practice before it was transferred from the police… This is a fine history of vital aspects of criminal justice policy. It illustrates for the reader all the key and persistent considerations surrounding the organisation of the criminal courts, the police investigation of crime and the decision as to whether or not to prosecute."

Rod Morgan, Professor Emeritus, University of Bristol, Punishment and Society

"There are many strengths to this excellent book. The depth of this work, the availability of a considerable amount of government records, and the invaluable interviews conducted with many of those involved at high-level decision-making combine to produce a comprehensive history of these two important reforms to the criminal justice system of England and Wales. In particular, the oral history aspect, allowing for the interrogation of unusually frank and open civil servants and others (perhaps because most are now retired), gives a convincing description of the events as they occurred on the inside of the administrative machine of governmental and criminal justice reform. Perhaps as criminologists and historians we should be more cynical of ‘official history’, but Rock’s assured handling of the subject matter, his sources (both human and paper) and the careful analysis of the topic generally makes for a very persuasive history. It is also particularly well written – it is not often the case that books on administrative history, citing enquiry reports, conferences, and committee make-up and findings can hold the reader’s attention quite as well as this splendid work."

Dr. Coleman A. Dennehy, University College Dublin, Ireland, The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice

'..for all of their sometimes unacknowledged limitations, I have loved reading these books. I am touched by the hermeneutic empathy with which the authors approach the voices of their sources. If we read these books attentively, we find that they contain immense resources for rethinking our criminal justice fix. I look forward to completing the set.'

Richard Sparks, Edinburgh Law School, University of Edinburgh, Journal of Law and Society

"It would be a mistake for most criminologists to relegate the topic of court reform to the arcane attentions of specialist, insider lawyers. On the contrary, there is rich and abundant material here for theorists interested in the formation of the state and the mutual relationship and obligations of citizens to the state and it to them. Paul Rock has painstakingly ensured that the significance of this re-shaping, dragging the organisation of the criminal courts into the 20th century, is traced in powerful detail. But he has also demonstrated how much scope there is for further original historical research, revealing how little attention had been given by social scientists and historians to the manner in which, for example, the prosecutorial system worked in practice before it was transferred from the police… This is a fine history of vital aspects of criminal justice policy. It illustrates for the reader all the key and persistent considerations surrounding the organisation of the criminal courts, the police investigation of crime and the decision as to whether or not to prosecute."

Rod Morgan, Professor Emeritus, University of Bristol, Punishment and Society

"There are many strengths to this excellent book. The depth of this work, the availability of a considerable amount of government records, and the invaluable interviews conducted with many of those involved at high-level decision-making combine to produce a comprehensive history of these two important reforms to the criminal justice system of England and Wales. In particular, the oral history aspect, allowing for the interrogation of unusually frank and open civil servants and others (perhaps because most are now retired), gives a convincing description of the events as they occurred on the inside of the administrative machine of governmental and criminal justice reform. Perhaps as criminologists and historians we should be more cynical of ‘official history’, but Rock’s assured handling of the subject matter, his sources (both human and paper) and the careful analysis of the topic generally makes for a very persuasive history. It is also particularly well written – it is not often the case that books on administrative history, citing enquiry reports, conferences, and committee make-up and findings can hold the reader’s attention quite as well as this splendid work."

Dr. Coleman A. Dennehy, University College Dublin, Ireland, The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice