Less crime
We want to build a more humane and effective response to crime in England and Wales, which provides justice to all and helps to reduce reoffending.
Read our strategy →Safer communities
We want to see sensible changes that make communities safer, and to move away from unjust punishments that are counter-productive.
Read about the work we do →Fewer people in prison
We want to reduce the prison population, because jails that are overcrowded and unsafe will never help people to turn their lives around and move on from crime.
Find out how you can help →The prison population in England and Wales is higher than in any other country in Western Europe. Thousands of people in prison are forced to share cells that are designed for one person. Staff shortages mean that many people are kept inside their cells for 23 hours a day, locked up with nothing to do. Click the link below to find out which prisons are overcrowded.
Find out more about our work
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                      SpotlightsOur series of online events aimed at lifting the lid on prisons. 
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                      Our strategyWe want to build a more humane and effective response to crime that provides justice and helps to reduce reoffending. 
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                      Briefings and submissionsWe advise politicians, policy-makers and senior practitioners on prisons and the wider criminal justice system. 
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                      Legal advice for children and young people in prisonThe only dedicated advice line for children and young people in custody in England and Wales. 
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                      Don't let PAVA spray be used on childrenWe will take whatever steps necessary, including legal action, to challenge this weapon's use in prisons holding children. 
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                      What is sentence inflation?Explaining how longer sentences have contributed to the prisons crisis. 
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                      Ending the detention of people on IPP sentencesSix recommendations to end the scandal and protect the public. 
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                      Why are prisons overcrowded?Explaining the problem, how it arose, and how we might solve it. 
Latest blog posts
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                            20 Oct 2025 Urgent action is needed to tackle inadequate provision for children with special educational needs in custody
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                            29 Sep 2025 Success for our legal challenge to end unlawful separation of children in Oakhill secure training centre
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                            26 Sep 2025 Children on remand: Racial disparities in England and Wales
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                            30 Jul 2025 Werrington prison and why PAVA will escalate problems for children in custody