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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.
Join TodayLess 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 more than 70% between 2010 and 2018.
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 →This week there are 82,456 people in prisons and young offender institutions in England and Wales.
Latest posts from Frances Crook
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27 Mar 2020
Coronavirus and women in custody: swift and decisive action is needed
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24 Mar 2020
Coronavirus and the police
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18 Mar 2020
Coronavirus in prison: Measures that could be considered
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3 Mar 2020
Parc prison and its unit for children
Find out more about our work
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COVID-19: OUR RESPONSE
The Howard League office is closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Please read our submissions to government about the situation in prisons.
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Justice and fairness in prisons
Our programme on justice and fairness in prisons seeks to create a blueprint to establish what a just prison would look like, eliminate everyday unfairness and implement fair and restorative approaches.
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Briefings and submissions
We are often consulted when policy-makers need expert advice. Read our briefings and submissions.
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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.
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Howard League Community Awards
Every year, the Howard League presents awards to successful community projects that help turn lives around and reduce crime.
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Children in residential care
Children in children's homes are more likely to be criminalised than other children. Our programme looks into the reasons why, and explores how change could be achieved.
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Legal advice
Our lawyers provide expert legal advice to anyone aged under 21 in prison.
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Children and policing
The Howard League has been working with police forces in England and Wales to keep as many boys and girls as possible out of the criminal justice system.