Focuses on the comparative nature in which different states studied each other and their institutions, and the ways in which different reformers exchanged ideas and investigated policing and penal experiments in other countries. This book also explores the theoretical issues underpinning contemporary research.

How did ideas about crime and criminals change in Europe from around 1750 to 1940? How did European states respond to these changes with the development of police and penal institutions? Clive Emsley addresses these questions using recent research on the history of crime and criminal justice in Europe. He reveals that many of the ideas hailed as new in current debate on crime and its 'solutions', have a very long and illustrious history.

Excellent and deserve[s] a wide readership...testament to Emsley's attention to detail, breadth of knowledge, and ability to make history accessible and interesting.