Howard League chief Frances Crook announces retirement
Fiona Simpson
Friday, April 23, 2021
Frances Crook has announced her retirement after 30 years as chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform.
Crook, who has described her three decades at the charity as “my life’s work, my life’s mission” will step down in July.
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Announcing her retirement, she described her time at the charity as “an honour and a joy”.
“I have taken an organisation that was on the brink of being wound up, to one that is vibrant, benefits from an amazing staff team and is facing the future with energy and vision,” she said.
Prior to taking up her role at the Howard League, Crook worked as a teacher, a campaigner for Amnesty International and in non-executive roles at both Greenwich University and NHS Barnet.
During her tenure at the Howard League, Crook has overseen work with the police to reduce child arrests by two thirds.
She said: “This means that hundreds of thousands – yes, I do mean that huge number – of children have not suffered the trauma and life damage of arrest.
“Contact with the police is a route into crime for children, so the reduction in arrests has reduced crime and prevented people becoming victims – as well as saving the public purse from unnecessary expense.”
In a blog, published on the Howard League’s website, Crook also highlights the charity’s creation of an in-house legal service for children and young people 20 years ago.
“Hundreds have been helped with support on release from prison and getting justice inside prison in the face of systemic abuse.
“We have taken test cases that achieved reform, forcing the government to recognise that children in prison should have the same legal protections as all children and we are currently challenging the use of solitary confinement on children.”
MPs, colleagues and sector leaders paid tribute to Crook’s work on Twitter.
Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy said: “Frances Crook has been the single most influential campaigner for prison reform of our times and leaves a vital legacy. Relentless, determined and driven by conviction, she has had a remarkable career.”
Conservative MP for Newport Peter Bottomley added: “Thank you for your enduring activity aimed at less crime, safer communities and fewer in prison.”