At our December meeting we were addressed by Professor Nick Hardwick, CBE, Chair of the Parole Board, previously Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons and before that Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Around fifty members and guests were treated to an outstanding presentation by one of our country’s most experienced and knowledgeable experts on the criminal justice system. The meeting was followed by an informal but traditional Christmas dinner at which Professor Hardwick demonstrated amazing stamina, discussing members’ questions despite his having recently arrived from an arduous overseas journey.