Justice

The Howard League for Penal Reform has been at the forefront of arguing that pressure on public spending presents an opportunity to re-frame the criminal justice debate in favour of reform.  In Canada during the 1990s, for example, cuts to public spending saw the prison population reduced by 11%. During that decade, crime also fell to its lowest rate for 25 years, including drops ranging from 23% for assault and robbery to 43% for homicide.  We are pleased that Ken Clarke at the Ministry of Justice is taking seriously our contention that it is perfectly possible to achieve less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison. Read more...