Are you interested in working for a more humane and effective response to crime? We are looking for a Development Officer to join our busy team. https://howardleague.org/about-us/vacancies/development-officer/

We have responded to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman’s special investigation into abuse that occurred at Medomsley Detention Centre between 1961 and 1987. https://howardleague.org/news/howard-league-responds-to-prison-and-probation-ombudsman-report-on-abuse-at-medomsley-detention-centre/

Are you interested in working for a more humane and effective response to crime? We are looking for a Development Officer to join our busy team. https://howardleague.org/about-us/vacancies/development-officer/

“I have no hesitation in describing the continuing aftermath of the ill-starred IPP sentencing regime as the greatest single stain on our criminal justice system.” What are IPP sentences? And how can we end this scandal? Read our explainer article: https://howardleague.org/what-are-ipp-sentences/

We have responded to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman’s special investigation into abuse that occurred at Medomsley Detention Centre between 1961 and 1987. https://howardleague.org/news/howard-league-responds-to-prison-and-probation-ombudsman-report-on-abuse-at-medomsley-detention-centre/

With the Sentencing Bill being scrutinised in Parliament, we looked at how the trend of imposing longer sentences has contributed to the prisons crisis. This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/

Ministers commissioned a sentencing review and introduced the Sentencing Bill, knowing that change was needed to address the prisons crisis. But they risk making it even worse. Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/

If you want to see Charlie Taylor, Cathy McGuinness and me talking about prison education, the state it’s in and what needs to be done to fix it, then do come along to Tuesday’s @thehowardleague.bsky.social event. howardleague.org/events/spotl...

"The state can harm when it is callous, and it can harm when it is trying to be kind." A thought-provoking article, by Duncan Robinson of the Economist, on the role of victims in politics and policymaking: https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/10/29/the-idolatry-of-victimhood

The Sentencing Bill gets its Second Reading in the House of Lords next week. Our briefing focuses on three specific areas of concern: https://howardleague.org/briefing-on-sentencing-bill-second-reading-in-the-house-of-lords/

Our next Spotlights event will be on Tuesday 11 November. Join us online as our expert panel discusses what needs to change in prison education and training. Book your place: https://howardleague.org/events/spotlights-class-action-what-needs-to-change-in-prison-education-and-training/

The Sentencing Bill gets its Second Reading in the House of Lords next week. Our briefing focuses on three specific areas of concern: https://howardleague.org/briefing-on-sentencing-bill-second-reading-in-the-house-of-lords/

At the end of September, Leeds prison had room for 641 men but was being forced to hold 1,092. Chronic overcrowding has tragic consequences: https://howardleague.org/news/leeds-prison-report-reveals-the-tragic-consequences-of-chronic-overcrowding/

Our next Spotlights event will be on Tuesday 11 November. Join us online as our expert panel discusses what needs to change in prison education and training. Book your place: https://howardleague.org/events/spotlights-class-action-what-needs-to-change-in-prison-education-and-training/

The Sentencing Bill gets its Second Reading in the House of Lords next week. Our briefing focuses on three specific areas of concern: https://howardleague.org/briefing-on-sentencing-bill-second-reading-in-the-house-of-lords/

Our next Spotlights event will be on Tuesday 11 November. Join us online as our expert panel discusses what needs to change in prison education and training. Book your place: https://howardleague.org/events/spotlights-class-action-what-needs-to-change-in-prison-education-and-training/

Ministers commissioned a sentencing review and introduced the Sentencing Bill, knowing that change was needed to address the prisons crisis. But they risk making it even worse. Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/

At the end of September, Wandsworth prison had room for 883 men. But it was being to asked to hold 1,466. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5ylvz217ept

NEW: Safety in Custody A record 10,477 assaults on prison staff were logged across England and Wales in the year to June @thehowardleague.bsky.social warned prisons remain "mired in distress and misery", and called on the Government to act 🔗: app.radarai.com

How "earned progression" could backfire @thehowardleague.bsky.social explains how the Government's earned progression plan could inadvertently result in increasing the numbers of people in prison. www.russellwebster.com/how-earned-p...

Ministers commissioned a sentencing review and introduced the Sentencing Bill, knowing that change was needed to address the prisons crisis. But they risk making it even worse. Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/

With the Sentencing Bill being scrutinised in Parliament, we looked at how the trend of imposing longer sentences has contributed to the prisons crisis. This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/

Today we warn that the government’s flagship proposal to address prison overcrowding risks ending in failure. Read our new briefing, 'Earned regression?': https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/

Ministers commissioned a sentencing review and introduced the Sentencing Bill, knowing that change was needed to address the prisons crisis. But they risk making it even worse. Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/

NEW: Today we warn that the government’s flagship proposal to address prison overcrowding risks ending in failure. Read our new briefing, 'Earned regression?': https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/

“I have no hesitation in describing the continuing aftermath of the ill-starred IPP sentencing regime as the greatest single stain on our criminal justice system.” What are IPP sentences? And how can we end this scandal? Read our explainer article: https://howardleague.org/what-are-ipp-sentences/

With the Sentencing Bill being scrutinised in Parliament, we looked at how the trend of imposing longer sentences has contributed to the prisons crisis. This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/

Chief Executive of the Howard League Andrea Coomber KC (Hon) pulls back the curtain on the UK’s justice system on an eye-opening episode of the Stuart Leach Associates Spotlight podcast. Listen now on Spotify or watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzDZ9Yb08Xw

At the end of September, Leeds prison had room for 641 men but was being forced to hold 1,092. Chronic overcrowding has tragic consequences: https://howardleague.org/news/leeds-prison-report-reveals-the-tragic-consequences-of-chronic-overcrowding/

The latest episode of the Trapped podcast is now live and includes their report on the Howard League’s recommendations for how to end the detention of people on IPP sentences. Listen now on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. https://podfollow.com/1689277181

We’re very sorry to hear that Prunella Scales has passed away aged 93. Prunella was a longstanding supporter of the Howard League, and we shall miss her terribly. Our thoughts are with her family.

Prisons in England and Wales face an overcrowding crisis of unprecedented proportions. We have created a dedicated page on our website to explain what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved. https://howardleague.org/why-are-prisons-overcrowded/

With the Sentencing Bill being scrutinised in Parliament, we looked at how the trend of imposing longer sentences has contributed to the prisons crisis. This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/

“I have no hesitation in describing the continuing aftermath of the ill-starred IPP sentencing regime as the greatest single stain on our criminal justice system.” What are IPP sentences? And how can we end this scandal? Read our explainer article: https://howardleague.org/what-are-ipp-sentences/

At the end of September, Leeds prison had room for 641 men but was being forced to hold 1,092. Chronic overcrowding has tragic consequences: https://howardleague.org/news/leeds-prison-report-reveals-the-tragic-consequences-of-chronic-overcrowding/

Prisons in England and Wales face an overcrowding crisis of unprecedented proportions. We have created a dedicated page on our website to explain what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved. https://howardleague.org/why-are-prisons-overcrowded/

With the Sentencing Bill being scrutinised in Parliament, we looked at how the trend of imposing longer sentences has contributed to the prisons crisis. This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/

At the end of September, Leeds prison had room for 641 men but was being forced to hold 1,092. Chronic overcrowding has tragic consequences: https://howardleague.org/news/leeds-prison-report-reveals-the-tragic-consequences-of-chronic-overcrowding/

At the end of September, Leeds prison had room for 641 men but was being forced to hold 1,092. Chronic overcrowding has tragic consequences: https://howardleague.org/news/leeds-prison-report-reveals-the-tragic-consequences-of-chronic-overcrowding/

The appalling report on Leeds prison, published today by HM Inspectorate of Prisons, highlights how chronic overcrowding in our prison system puts lives at risk. Read our response: https://howardleague.org/news/leeds-prison-report-reveals-the-tragic-consequences-of-chronic-overcrowding/

Prisons in England and Wales face an overcrowding crisis of unprecedented proportions. We have created a dedicated page on our website to explain what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved. https://howardleague.org/why-are-prisons-overcrowded/

“If a significant proportion of people are going into prison because they’re homeless, then that’s a very expensive way of providing housing." Fascinating Telegraph interview with psychiatrist Dr Gwen Adshead: www.telegraph.co.uk//news/2025/1...

"Probation experts criticised the low number of experienced staff, the pressure under which they work, and the high number of people being recalled to prison, in a panel webinar run by the Howard League." https://insidetime.org/newsround/probation-experts-criticise-high-rate-of-recalls-to-prison/

Prisons in England and Wales face an overcrowding crisis of unprecedented proportions. We have created a dedicated page on our website to explain what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved. https://howardleague.org/why-are-prisons-overcrowded/

"Probation experts criticised the low number of experienced staff, the pressure under which they work, and the high number of people being recalled to prison, in a panel webinar run by the Howard League." https://insidetime.org/newsround/probation-experts-criticise-high-rate-of-recalls-to-prison/

"Probation experts criticised the low number of experienced staff, the pressure under which they work, and the high number of people being recalled to prison, in a panel webinar run by the Howard League." https://insidetime.org/newsround/probation-experts-criticise-high-rate-of-recalls-to-prison/

"Probation experts criticised the low number of experienced staff, the pressure under which they work, and the high number of people being recalled to prison, in a panel webinar run by the Howard League." https://insidetime.org/newsround/probation-experts-criticise-high-rate-of-recalls-to-prison/

VIDEO: Probation under pressure Thank you to everyone who attended our Spotlights event on probation. If you missed it, or want to hear the discussion again, head to our YouTube channel to watch the recording. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29E6DBzA8GY

VIDEO: Probation under pressure Thank you to everyone who attended our Spotlights event on probation. If you missed it, or want to hear the discussion again, head to our YouTube channel to watch the recording. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29E6DBzA8GY

"This data highlights the urgent need for reform. We hope that its publication will provide valuable evidence for the Law Commission’s current review into the law on homicide." https://insidetime.org/newsround/black-people-13-times-more-likely-to-face-joint-enterprise-charges-cps-figures-show/