Penal Reform International (PRI) is a non-governmental organisation working globally to promote criminal justice systems that uphold human rights for all and do no harm. Globally, we are working tirelessly to make criminal justice systems humane, effective and non-discriminatory. We run practical human rights programmes and support reforms.
Our three pillars for change
Our five year strategy sets out our three core objectives that drive our work:
- Rehabilitate, reintegrate and empower:
We focus on rehabilitating people in contact with criminal justice systems, ensuring their successful reintegration into society and empowering them.
- Human rights in daily practice
We work towards ensuring that criminal justice practitioners apply human rights principles in their daily operations, developing a system that respects and upholds the dignity of every person.
- Reducing criminalisation and imprisonment
We want to see fewer people criminalised, sanctioned and imprisoned. We work to decrease the overreliance on criminal justice systems. Our goal is to promote equality, amidst increasing authoritarianism, poverty and discrimination.
How and where we work
To make our work successful, impactful and sustainable, we develop strong ties with a variety of actors. Our independence and specialised expertise make us a valued partner for governments, parliaments and state agencies, independent state bodies, international organisations, people with lived experience of justice systems, and national and international civil society organisations. We have a reputation for staying the course in a field where progress can be slow, and for remaining independent in our relationships with external stakeholders.
Registered in the Netherlands, PRI operates globally with offices in multiple locations (See Where we work). Our Headquarters are in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. We value the diversity of our global presence and with our governance ensure that our programmes are well-coordinated. We are funded by government and multilateral institutions, philanthropic organisations and individual donors.
We have consultative status at the United Nations (ECOSOC), the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the Council of Europe.