The Howard League for Penal Reform

140th anniversaryLord Waddington, Home Secretary 1989–1990“I congratulate the Howard League for Penal Reform on its 140th anniversary. Yourcampaigns have helped bring about many improvements to the criminal justice systemand I am sure that your current campaign to bring an end to the unnecessary use ofcustody for children will be met with much success.”Rt Hon Lord Baker of Dorking, Home Secretary 1990–1992“The Howard League for Penal Reform has been the conscience of all those who areconcerned that the treatment of prisoners should lead to them not committing morecrimes on release. This may not be the most popular of causes but it is the mostsensible.”Rt Hon Jack Straw MP, Home Secretary 1997–2001“The Howard League for Penal Reform plays a vital role in our society and has doneso for many years. John Howard was a remarkable man who would be proud of theorganisation which takes his name as inspiration for its work.”Rt Hon David Blunkett MP, Home Secretary 2001–2004“The Howard League for Penal Reform has quite rightly been a thorn in the flesh ofsuccessive Home Secretaries. I was proud whilst for nearly four years I was able to getinvolved: to help transform the educational achievement, investment in health and theopportunity to leave prison with the chance of work…The Howard League for PenalReform has had this at the top of the agenda for its distinguished existence and I wish itwell for the future.”Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP, Home Secretary 2004–2006“I pay tribute to the Howard League’s powerful advocacy of penal reform: minimisingunnecessary imprisonment, strengthening community sentences, focusing on effectiverehabilitation. There is a great deal of common ground between us.”