John Howard

The Howard League is named after John Howard, the founder of the penal reform movement. Between 1775 and 1790 John Howard made seven journeys across Europe in search of a humane prison system for English gaols to follow. He conducted these investigations on his own and financed them himself. An interesting short biography of John Howard is given on the website of the John Howard Society of Canada

The Howard Association

In 1866, the Howard Association was formed. Although it was almost eighty years after the death of John Howard, the founders felt that there was a need to campaign for reform in the independent style practised by its namesake.

The aim of Howard Association was the "promotion of the most efficient means of penal treatment and crime prevention" and to promote "a reformatory and radically preventive treatment of offenders". In its first annual report in 1867, the Association stated that its efforts had been focused on "the promotion of reformatory and remunerative prison labour, and the abolition of capital punishment."

The Penal Reform League

The Penal Reform League was founded in 1907 with Arthur St John as Secretary. In 1918, Margery Fry became Honorary Secretary and it was under her guidance that the Howard Association and the Penal Reform League merged in 1921 to form the Howard League for Penal Reform.

The Howard League in Scotland

Although based in London, the League had several Scottish members who more than 40 years ago formed an active branch. In Scotland this branch focused on problems of the Scottish courts and legal system, liasing with and influencing Scottish MPs, civil servants, the Judiciary and of course the prisons themselves. It was evident that if it were to respond effectively to the unique needs of the Scottish penal system then a separate Scottish organisation was needed. In consequence the Howard League for Penal Reform in Scotland was formed in 1979. It has continued to flourish as an independent body ever since, and of course, has taken on a new relevance and enhanced role with the re-establishment of the Scottish Parliament.

John Howard by Mather Brown

The Curious Mr Howard

Legendary Prison Reformer
by Tessa West,Foreword by Clive Stafford-Smith

Synopsis

• Looks at Howard’s immense achievements and his fascinating life
• Sheds new light on what drove the UK’s most famous prison reformer
• A key work in social and penal history

In modern times John Howard (1726-1790) is perhaps best known as the man after whom the UK’s oldest penal reform charity, the Howard League, is named.

Tessa West’s book breaks fresh ground by looking at both Howard’s legacy in terms of reform as well as his fascinating character. Based on extensive research in the UK and abroad, it provides a vivid picture of his life’s work which will be invaluable in understanding why prisons and imprisonment demand constant scrutiny.

John Howard’s curiosity about prisons goes without saying, as his own writings show, including his iconic The State of the Prisons (to use the shortened title). As a self-appointed inspector of prisons - and the first to carry out such a task - Howard would knock on the door of penal establishments, mostly unannounced. Once inside he would observe, listen and make copious records of events and conditions behind prison walls.

And he was a curious individual altogether. Amongst the diverse epithets applied to him are: extraordinary, indefatigable, eccentric, benevolent, solid, selfless, charismatic, intense, obsessive, energetic, modest - and above all singular. Forever concerned with minutiae, not without friends but lacking close social contacts, the workaholic Howard frequently travelled alone and in dangerous places for months on end. Always restless and forever retracing his steps, he was equally at home in Russia, Germany, Holland and other foreign parts as he was pursuing his carefully planned routines in places such as Bedford, Warrington, Cambridge or London.

Wherever he went the perfectionist John Howard brought his influence, genius and reputation to bear seeking to improve prisons and other institutions - and as this book shows he deserves to be remembered as a far greater figure in social history than many people might suspect.

Copies available from the publishers, Waterside Press:

http://www.watersidepress.co.uk/acatalog/info_9781904380733.html