A just justice system
What The Howard League does.
Humans of our Prisons
Stories from those most affected by prison.
Population 10,000
Our inmate population has hit 10,000. Something is wrong.

Smart on Prison Reform and Criminal Justice.

The Howard League has a long history of working for prison reform and criminal justice in Aotearoa. We are lawyers, academics, chaplains, students, prisoners, whanau and, generally, people who care. 

We believe that evidence and research should drive crime and justice policy: not myth, rhetoric or the false hope that punishment alone will change someones behaviour.

The Howard League:

  • Talks with prisoners and their whanau, and speaks on their behalf. 
  • Provides information to prisoners, their whanau, media, politicians and others.
  • Develops research to inform government policy and public debate.
  • Campaigns on issues affecting prisoners, including mental health, prisoners’ rights and the availability of rehabilitation and reintegration programes for prisoners. 

If you believe, as we do, that this is the way to develop a more effective and humane criminal justice system, we hope you’ll join us.

It’s Time To Break The Cycle

Howard League Branches

The Howard League for Penal Reform has three branches:

  • Wellington,
  • Canterbury
  • Otago

Each branch focuses on prisoners and issues in their local area. Collectively the three branches make up the Howard League national coalition.

Wellington

Wellington Branch  –  Te Peka o Whanganui-ā-Tara

What We Do

Provide information, support and advocacy to prisoners:  Individual prisoners contact us about a range of issues in prison. We provide advice and information, and advocate on their behalf.

Advocate for penal reform by participating in government processes (e.g. Select Committee), and engaging with the media for better public debate and policy formation. Evidence-led policy creates a more effective and reliable prison system.

Keeping Government Accountable: We hold our government accountable to best practice on prisoners’ human rights. Rights frame the environment for better rehabilitation, which benefits all of us.

Who We Are 

Gregor Allan is our chair.

Robyn Sullivan is our Treasurer.

Our Committee members are Colin Fraser, Madi Pomana, Megan Dykes, Eesvan Krishnan and Jugjeet Singh.

Contact Us

[email protected] 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/wellington-howard-league/

Canterbury

Canterbury Branch  –  Te Peka o Waitaha

What We Do

Prison Advice Service: The League works with the Community Law Centre inside Christchurch Men’s, Women’s and Rolleston Prisons dealing with problems prisoners face. We remove the roadblocks that stop prisoners from turning their lives around.

Research: The Howard League works toward open and rational debate on crime and justice issues. We research the issues so that you know the facts.

Promote Evidence-Led Policy: We work with the Department of Corrections and the media for better public debate and policy formation. Evidence-led policy creates a more effective and reliable prison system.

Keeping Government Accountable: We hold our government accountable to best practice on prisoners’ human rights. Rights frame the environment for better rehabilitation, which benefits all of us.

Our People

Our branch president is Cos Jeffery.

Howard League PO Box 2912 Christchurch 8140

Otago

Otago Branch  –  Te Peka o Ōtepoti

What We Do

Promote Evidence-Led Policy: We work with the Department of Corrections and the media for better public debate and policy formation. Evidence-led policy creates a more effective and reliable prison system.

Keeping Government Accountable: We hold our government accountable to best practice on prisoners’ human rights. Rights frame the environment for better rehabilitation, which benefits all of us.

Hear from us.

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