The Howard League
@thehowardleague.bsky.social
Building a more humane and effective response to crime.
Join: https://howardleague.org/membership/
Give: http://PayPal.Me/howardleague
Join: https://howardleague.org/membership/
Give: http://PayPal.Me/howardleague
Pinned
The government’s decision to authorise the use of PAVA spray in prisons holding children will be challenged in the High Court after we were given the green light to take the case forward to a judicial review.
Read our press release: howardleague.org/news/high-co...
Read our press release: howardleague.org/news/high-co...
With the Sentencing Bill being scrutinised in Parliament, we looked at how the trend of imposing longer sentences has contributed to the prisons crisis.
This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/
This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/
November 11, 2025 at 5:00 AM
With the Sentencing Bill being scrutinised in Parliament, we looked at how the trend of imposing longer sentences has contributed to the prisons crisis.
This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/
This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/
Ministers commissioned a sentencing review and introduced the Sentencing Bill, knowing that change was needed to address the prisons crisis. But they risk making it even worse.
Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
November 10, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Ministers commissioned a sentencing review and introduced the Sentencing Bill, knowing that change was needed to address the prisons crisis. But they risk making it even worse.
Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
Reposted by The Howard League
If you want to see Charlie Taylor, Cathy McGuinness and me talking about prison education, the state it’s in and what needs to be done to fix it, then do come along to Tuesday’s @thehowardleague.bsky.social event.
howardleague.org/events/spotl...
howardleague.org/events/spotl...
The Howard League | Spotlights – Class action: What needs to change in prison education and training?
The 14th event in the Howard League Spotlights series will consider education in prisons.
howardleague.org
November 9, 2025 at 12:17 PM
If you want to see Charlie Taylor, Cathy McGuinness and me talking about prison education, the state it’s in and what needs to be done to fix it, then do come along to Tuesday’s @thehowardleague.bsky.social event.
howardleague.org/events/spotl...
howardleague.org/events/spotl...
"The state can harm when it is callous, and it can harm when it is trying to be kind."
A thought-provoking article, by Duncan Robinson of the Economist, on the role of victims in politics and policymaking: https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/10/29/the-idolatry-of-victimhood
A thought-provoking article, by Duncan Robinson of the Economist, on the role of victims in politics and policymaking: https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/10/29/the-idolatry-of-victimhood
The idolatry of victimhood
An obsession with victims leads to bad policy, dire politics and more pain
www.economist.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:14 PM
"The state can harm when it is callous, and it can harm when it is trying to be kind."
A thought-provoking article, by Duncan Robinson of the Economist, on the role of victims in politics and policymaking: https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/10/29/the-idolatry-of-victimhood
A thought-provoking article, by Duncan Robinson of the Economist, on the role of victims in politics and policymaking: https://www.economist.com/britain/2025/10/29/the-idolatry-of-victimhood
The Sentencing Bill gets its Second Reading in the House of Lords next week.
Our briefing focuses on three specific areas of concern: https://howardleague.org/briefing-on-sentencing-bill-second-reading-in-the-house-of-lords/
Our briefing focuses on three specific areas of concern: https://howardleague.org/briefing-on-sentencing-bill-second-reading-in-the-house-of-lords/
The Howard League | Briefing on Sentencing Bill: Second Reading in the House of Lords
Sentencing Bill Second Reading in the House of Lords: Howard League briefing
howardleague.org
November 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The Sentencing Bill gets its Second Reading in the House of Lords next week.
Our briefing focuses on three specific areas of concern: https://howardleague.org/briefing-on-sentencing-bill-second-reading-in-the-house-of-lords/
Our briefing focuses on three specific areas of concern: https://howardleague.org/briefing-on-sentencing-bill-second-reading-in-the-house-of-lords/
Our next Spotlights event will be on Tuesday 11 November.
Join us online as our expert panel discusses what needs to change in prison education and training.
Book your place: https://howardleague.org/events/spotlights-class-action-what-needs-to-change-in-prison-education-and-training/
Join us online as our expert panel discusses what needs to change in prison education and training.
Book your place: https://howardleague.org/events/spotlights-class-action-what-needs-to-change-in-prison-education-and-training/
November 9, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Our next Spotlights event will be on Tuesday 11 November.
Join us online as our expert panel discusses what needs to change in prison education and training.
Book your place: https://howardleague.org/events/spotlights-class-action-what-needs-to-change-in-prison-education-and-training/
Join us online as our expert panel discusses what needs to change in prison education and training.
Book your place: https://howardleague.org/events/spotlights-class-action-what-needs-to-change-in-prison-education-and-training/
The Sentencing Bill gets its Second Reading in the House of Lords next week.
Our briefing focuses on three specific areas of concern: https://howardleague.org/briefing-on-sentencing-bill-second-reading-in-the-house-of-lords/
Our briefing focuses on three specific areas of concern: https://howardleague.org/briefing-on-sentencing-bill-second-reading-in-the-house-of-lords/
The Howard League | Briefing on Sentencing Bill: Second Reading in the House of Lords
Sentencing Bill Second Reading in the House of Lords: Howard League briefing
howardleague.org
November 8, 2025 at 2:10 PM
The Sentencing Bill gets its Second Reading in the House of Lords next week.
Our briefing focuses on three specific areas of concern: https://howardleague.org/briefing-on-sentencing-bill-second-reading-in-the-house-of-lords/
Our briefing focuses on three specific areas of concern: https://howardleague.org/briefing-on-sentencing-bill-second-reading-in-the-house-of-lords/
At the end of September, Leeds prison had room for 641 men but was being forced to hold 1,092.
Chronic overcrowding has tragic consequences: https://howardleague.org/news/leeds-prison-report-reveals-the-tragic-consequences-of-chronic-overcrowding/
Chronic overcrowding has tragic consequences: https://howardleague.org/news/leeds-prison-report-reveals-the-tragic-consequences-of-chronic-overcrowding/
November 8, 2025 at 11:05 AM
At the end of September, Leeds prison had room for 641 men but was being forced to hold 1,092.
Chronic overcrowding has tragic consequences: https://howardleague.org/news/leeds-prison-report-reveals-the-tragic-consequences-of-chronic-overcrowding/
Chronic overcrowding has tragic consequences: https://howardleague.org/news/leeds-prison-report-reveals-the-tragic-consequences-of-chronic-overcrowding/
Our next Spotlights event will be on Tuesday 11 November.
Join us online as our expert panel discusses what needs to change in prison education and training.
Book your place: https://howardleague.org/events/spotlights-class-action-what-needs-to-change-in-prison-education-and-training/
Join us online as our expert panel discusses what needs to change in prison education and training.
Book your place: https://howardleague.org/events/spotlights-class-action-what-needs-to-change-in-prison-education-and-training/
November 8, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Our next Spotlights event will be on Tuesday 11 November.
Join us online as our expert panel discusses what needs to change in prison education and training.
Book your place: https://howardleague.org/events/spotlights-class-action-what-needs-to-change-in-prison-education-and-training/
Join us online as our expert panel discusses what needs to change in prison education and training.
Book your place: https://howardleague.org/events/spotlights-class-action-what-needs-to-change-in-prison-education-and-training/
The Sentencing Bill gets its Second Reading in the House of Lords next week.
Our briefing focuses on three specific areas of concern: https://howardleague.org/briefing-on-sentencing-bill-second-reading-in-the-house-of-lords/
Our briefing focuses on three specific areas of concern: https://howardleague.org/briefing-on-sentencing-bill-second-reading-in-the-house-of-lords/
The Howard League | Briefing on Sentencing Bill: Second Reading in the House of Lords
Sentencing Bill Second Reading in the House of Lords: Howard League briefing
howardleague.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The Sentencing Bill gets its Second Reading in the House of Lords next week.
Our briefing focuses on three specific areas of concern: https://howardleague.org/briefing-on-sentencing-bill-second-reading-in-the-house-of-lords/
Our briefing focuses on three specific areas of concern: https://howardleague.org/briefing-on-sentencing-bill-second-reading-in-the-house-of-lords/
Our next Spotlights event will be on Tuesday 11 November.
Join us online as our expert panel discusses what needs to change in prison education and training.
Book your place: https://howardleague.org/events/spotlights-class-action-what-needs-to-change-in-prison-education-and-training/
Join us online as our expert panel discusses what needs to change in prison education and training.
Book your place: https://howardleague.org/events/spotlights-class-action-what-needs-to-change-in-prison-education-and-training/
November 7, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Our next Spotlights event will be on Tuesday 11 November.
Join us online as our expert panel discusses what needs to change in prison education and training.
Book your place: https://howardleague.org/events/spotlights-class-action-what-needs-to-change-in-prison-education-and-training/
Join us online as our expert panel discusses what needs to change in prison education and training.
Book your place: https://howardleague.org/events/spotlights-class-action-what-needs-to-change-in-prison-education-and-training/
Ministers commissioned a sentencing review and introduced the Sentencing Bill, knowing that change was needed to address the prisons crisis. But they risk making it even worse.
Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
November 7, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Ministers commissioned a sentencing review and introduced the Sentencing Bill, knowing that change was needed to address the prisons crisis. But they risk making it even worse.
Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
At the end of September, Wandsworth prison had room for 883 men. But it was being to asked to hold 1,466.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5ylvz217ept
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5ylvz217ept
Police manhunt after Algerian man mistakenly released from London prison - live updates
It comes as the shadow defence secretary presses the deputy PM at PMQs on a migrant sex offender accidentally released from prison last month.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 5, 2025 at 2:22 PM
At the end of September, Wandsworth prison had room for 883 men. But it was being to asked to hold 1,466.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5ylvz217ept
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5ylvz217ept
Reposted by The Howard League
NEW: Safety in Custody
A record 10,477 assaults on prison staff were logged across England and Wales in the year to June
@thehowardleague.bsky.social warned prisons remain "mired in distress and misery", and called on the Government to act
🔗: app.radarai.com
A record 10,477 assaults on prison staff were logged across England and Wales in the year to June
@thehowardleague.bsky.social warned prisons remain "mired in distress and misery", and called on the Government to act
🔗: app.radarai.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:48 PM
NEW: Safety in Custody
A record 10,477 assaults on prison staff were logged across England and Wales in the year to June
@thehowardleague.bsky.social warned prisons remain "mired in distress and misery", and called on the Government to act
🔗: app.radarai.com
A record 10,477 assaults on prison staff were logged across England and Wales in the year to June
@thehowardleague.bsky.social warned prisons remain "mired in distress and misery", and called on the Government to act
🔗: app.radarai.com
Reposted by The Howard League
How "earned progression" could backfire
@thehowardleague.bsky.social explains how the Government's earned progression plan could inadvertently result in increasing the numbers of people in prison.
www.russellwebster.com/how-earned-p...
@thehowardleague.bsky.social explains how the Government's earned progression plan could inadvertently result in increasing the numbers of people in prison.
www.russellwebster.com/how-earned-p...
How “earned progression” could backfire
The Howard League explains how the Government's earned progression plan could inadvertently result in increasing the numbers of people in prison.
www.russellwebster.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:36 AM
How "earned progression" could backfire
@thehowardleague.bsky.social explains how the Government's earned progression plan could inadvertently result in increasing the numbers of people in prison.
www.russellwebster.com/how-earned-p...
@thehowardleague.bsky.social explains how the Government's earned progression plan could inadvertently result in increasing the numbers of people in prison.
www.russellwebster.com/how-earned-p...
Ministers commissioned a sentencing review and introduced the Sentencing Bill, knowing that change was needed to address the prisons crisis. But they risk making it even worse.
Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
November 5, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Ministers commissioned a sentencing review and introduced the Sentencing Bill, knowing that change was needed to address the prisons crisis. But they risk making it even worse.
Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
With the Sentencing Bill being scrutinised in Parliament, we looked at how the trend of imposing longer sentences has contributed to the prisons crisis.
This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/
This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/
November 5, 2025 at 9:00 AM
With the Sentencing Bill being scrutinised in Parliament, we looked at how the trend of imposing longer sentences has contributed to the prisons crisis.
This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/
This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/
Today we warn that the government’s flagship proposal to address prison overcrowding risks ending in failure.
Read our new briefing, 'Earned regression?': https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
Read our new briefing, 'Earned regression?': https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
November 4, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Today we warn that the government’s flagship proposal to address prison overcrowding risks ending in failure.
Read our new briefing, 'Earned regression?': https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
Read our new briefing, 'Earned regression?': https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
Ministers commissioned a sentencing review and introduced the Sentencing Bill, knowing that change was needed to address the prisons crisis. But they risk making it even worse.
Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
November 4, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Ministers commissioned a sentencing review and introduced the Sentencing Bill, knowing that change was needed to address the prisons crisis. But they risk making it even worse.
Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
Briefing: https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
NEW: Today we warn that the government’s flagship proposal to address prison overcrowding risks ending in failure.
Read our new briefing, 'Earned regression?': https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
Read our new briefing, 'Earned regression?': https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
November 4, 2025 at 5:56 AM
NEW: Today we warn that the government’s flagship proposal to address prison overcrowding risks ending in failure.
Read our new briefing, 'Earned regression?': https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
Read our new briefing, 'Earned regression?': https://howardleague.org/news/earned-regression-howard-league-outlines-concern-about-governments-prison-reforms/
“I have no hesitation in describing the continuing aftermath of the ill-starred IPP sentencing regime as the greatest single stain on our criminal justice system.”
What are IPP sentences? And how can we end this scandal? Read our explainer article: https://howardleague.org/what-are-ipp-sentences/
What are IPP sentences? And how can we end this scandal? Read our explainer article: https://howardleague.org/what-are-ipp-sentences/
October 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
“I have no hesitation in describing the continuing aftermath of the ill-starred IPP sentencing regime as the greatest single stain on our criminal justice system.”
What are IPP sentences? And how can we end this scandal? Read our explainer article: https://howardleague.org/what-are-ipp-sentences/
What are IPP sentences? And how can we end this scandal? Read our explainer article: https://howardleague.org/what-are-ipp-sentences/
With the Sentencing Bill being scrutinised in Parliament, we looked at how the trend of imposing longer sentences has contributed to the prisons crisis.
This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/
This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/
October 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM
With the Sentencing Bill being scrutinised in Parliament, we looked at how the trend of imposing longer sentences has contributed to the prisons crisis.
This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/
This article explains what the problems are, how they arose, and how they might be solved: https://howardleague.org/what-is-sentence-inflation/
Chief Executive of the Howard League Andrea Coomber KC (Hon) pulls back the curtain on the UK’s justice system on an eye-opening episode of the Stuart Leach Associates Spotlight podcast.
Listen now on Spotify or watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzDZ9Yb08Xw
Listen now on Spotify or watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzDZ9Yb08Xw
October 29, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Chief Executive of the Howard League Andrea Coomber KC (Hon) pulls back the curtain on the UK’s justice system on an eye-opening episode of the Stuart Leach Associates Spotlight podcast.
Listen now on Spotify or watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzDZ9Yb08Xw
Listen now on Spotify or watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzDZ9Yb08Xw
At the end of September, Leeds prison had room for 641 men but was being forced to hold 1,092.
Chronic overcrowding has tragic consequences: https://howardleague.org/news/leeds-prison-report-reveals-the-tragic-consequences-of-chronic-overcrowding/
Chronic overcrowding has tragic consequences: https://howardleague.org/news/leeds-prison-report-reveals-the-tragic-consequences-of-chronic-overcrowding/
October 29, 2025 at 11:05 AM
At the end of September, Leeds prison had room for 641 men but was being forced to hold 1,092.
Chronic overcrowding has tragic consequences: https://howardleague.org/news/leeds-prison-report-reveals-the-tragic-consequences-of-chronic-overcrowding/
Chronic overcrowding has tragic consequences: https://howardleague.org/news/leeds-prison-report-reveals-the-tragic-consequences-of-chronic-overcrowding/
The latest episode of the Trapped podcast is now live and includes their report on the Howard League’s recommendations for how to end the detention of people on IPP sentences. Listen now on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
https://podfollow.com/1689277181
https://podfollow.com/1689277181
Trapped: The IPP Prisoner Scandal
Listen to episodes and learn more about Trapped: The IPP Prisoner Scandal. Podcast series charting the #IPP prisoner scandal. Listen on #Acast #ApplePodcasts #Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Today there are over 2,500 people trapped in British prisons on the now abolished indeterminate IPP (Imprisonment for Public Protection) sentence, many for minor crimes like stealing a mobile phone. None of them know when they are getting out, or whether their IPP sentence could mean life in prison. To date, 95 IPP serving prisoners, with a lack of certainty and losing hope, have taken their...
podfollow.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM
The latest episode of the Trapped podcast is now live and includes their report on the Howard League’s recommendations for how to end the detention of people on IPP sentences. Listen now on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
https://podfollow.com/1689277181
https://podfollow.com/1689277181