 Crime and its control have been the focus of public debate for centuries. But the mechanisms of criminal justice have become increasingly politicised over time, with successive governments keen to be seen as tough on crime. There's also a tendency to see the social challenges thrown up by crime and its control as new and uniquely modern. But what, if anything, can criminal justice history bring to the present? In my inaugural lecture, What's the Point of Criminal Justice History, I'll be exploring a range of different ways in which having an informed grasp of the past can provide new perspectives on contemporary problems and a guide to action in the present. Join me and we can explore the fascinating links between crime and justice past and present.