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Our Expertise

Our Expert Advice

The Howard League for Penal Reform is often consulted when policy makers need expert advice. We were one of the first organisations to be given consultative status from both the United Nations and the Council of Europe.

The Howard League does a wide range of Parliamentary lobbying work. We work with politicians at a local and national level to achieve our political objectives. We produce expert briefings for parliamentarians, policy makers and senior practitioners and submissions to consultations.

Download our latest briefings and submissions.

All Party Parliamentary Group

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on women in the penal system was set up in July 2009 under the chairmanship of Baroness Corston and with administrative support from the Howard League for Penal Reform.

The group aims to increase knowledge and awareness of issues around women in the penal system as well as push for the full implementation of the Corston Report recommendations.

For further information about the APPG please contact Lorraine Atkinson.

APPG Inquiry on Girls and the Penal System

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on women in the penal system conducted an independent inquiry on girls and the penal system. The inquiry was co-chaired by the Rt Hon Baroness Corston and Kate Green MP and members of the steering group included Roberta Blackman-Woods MP, Rt Hon Elfyn Llwyd MP, Madeleine Moon MP, Baroness Linklater and Baroness Masham.

The aim of the inquiry was to achieve real change in the lives of young girls in need and to bring about a reduction in the number of girls who entered the criminal justice system.

The inquiry focused on policy and practice regarding girls and investigated the decisions that route girls away from or into the criminal justice system. It looked at how the police and the courts dealt with girls who came into contact with the criminal justice system and the different approaches to working with girls, both nationally and internationally.

The All Party Parliamentary Group collated evidence from charities, statutory services and local authorities, examining national government policy and will hear oral evidence in parliament.

It made recommendations for reform across the social and penal systems.

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