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We receive more than 100 calls per week from children and young people in prison who need our help. Our successful legal work has transformed law, policy and practice, but it could not carry on without the generous support of our members. Please add your voice.

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Less crime

We analyse the evidence and promote lasting solutions to crime. Our legal work has improved the law and secured support for young people when they are released from custody.

What we do →

Safer communities

We ensure that children in trouble with the law are kept safe and not made the adult criminals of tomorrow. Thanks to our work with the police, the number of child arrests fell by 68% between 2010 and 2017.

What we have achieved →

Fewer people in prison

We campaign to reduce the prison population and to change prisons. From challenging restrictions on prisoners reading books to ground-breaking research on sex behind bars, the Howard League is the leading voice on what should happen inside prisons.

Why the system is broken →
82,947 people in prisons

This week there are 82,947 people in prisons and young offender institutions in England and Wales.

View Prison Watch →

Latest posts from Frances Crook

Find out more about our work

  • Commission on Crime and Problem Gambling

    The Commission will lead in developing our understanding of, and ability to respond to, the links between problem gambling and crime.

  • Barbed wire at Portland prison

    Media statement

    The Howard League for Penal Reform extends its deepest sympathies to the families of Jack Merritt and Saskia Jones.