APPG INQUIRY
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Women in the Penal System inquiry is investigating policy and practice regarding girls and the criminal justice system.
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Community Programmes Award
These annual awards celebrate best practice in community sentencing and champion the cutting edge of the criminal justice system, with work in the community that challenges and changes people for the better.
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U R BOSS
Supported by the Big Lottery Fund, U R Boss provides a national programme of participation opportunities and support for young people in custody and recently released into the community.
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RESEARCH
The Howard League for Penal Reform has a strong history of working alongside the academic and research communities.
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OUR LEGAL WORK
The Howard League legal team provide free, independent and confidential advice, assistance and representation on a wide range of issues to young people under 21 in custody.
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MEMBERSHIP
The best way to support our work is to become a member! We need our supporters to help us create a mass movement for change.
Read moreUpdates from The Howard League
- 24.05.12 / Crime, sentencing and desistance pamphlet The Howard League is pleased to announce that Professor Fergus McNeill, (University of Glasgow); Professor Stephen Farrall (University of Sheffield) and Professor Mike Hough (Co-Director of the Institute for Criminal Policy Research) are preparing a pamphlet focussing on the role of sentencing, crime and desistance. It will discuss the influence of various sentencing options, including community sentences, on the levels of crime and the potential for individuals to desist. Read more >
- 22.05.12 / Howard League trustee Peter Thornton appointed chief coroner of England and Wales Howard League trustee Judge Peter Thornton QC will become the first chief coroner of England and Wales in September. Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform Frances Crook said, “Peter Thornton QC is a long standing supporter of the Howard League and is currently a trustee. The role will establish more effective justice and coroner services for victims, witnesses and bereaved families and I have complete faith he will undertake this role diligently. I wish him the very best in this exciting and important appointment.” Read more >
- 22.05.12 / People in prison must be given the vote in UK, European court rules Andrew Neilson, director of campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform said, “The ECHR has ruled that a blanket ban on prisoners’ voting is unlawful but the UK government could decide which prisoners should be enfranchised. People in prison should be given more responsibilities, not fewer. One of the hallmarks of citizenship is the right to vote and it is important that we engage with prisoners as much as possible, rather than exclude them from what the rest of society takes for granted. The impact of prisoners’ right to vote may be greater on politicians than on prisoners. If councillors and MPs knew they would get votes by paying attention to what happens inside prisons, and most importantly what happens when people are released back into the community, perhaps they will be more likely to consider the effectiveness of this often neglected area of public policy.” Read more >
- 18.05.12 / Transforming bailiff action consultation The Howard League has submitted a response to the Ministry of Justice consultation on aggressive behaviour by bailiffs. Our particular interest in this area revolves around the enforcement of court fines. Download the submission >
- 04.05.12 / Statement on work in prison Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform said: "People who are sentenced to a number of years in custody should be offered the chance to engage in real work, for a real employer, with a real wage and real responsibility for their family. For more than a decade the Howard League has campaigned for real work opportunities for people in prison, reducing the likelihood of their reoffending on release." Read the full statement >
