Olivia Rope is a recognised leader in the field of criminal justice reform and a human rights expert. She has more than a decade of experience advancing international standards and accountability in criminal justice systems, working extensively with governments, oversight bodies, civil society and multilateral institutions. 

Appointed Executive Director of PRI in 2020, Olivia has played a central role in shaping global policy discussions on imprisonment, community sanctions, decriminalisation of poverty and gender-responsive justice. She has led high-level advocacy at the international and regional levels, shaping policy debates and reform initiatives including on detention, torture prevention, women, criminalisation and detention, and community sanctions. She has authored and overseen influential research and policy publications, as well as developed practical training curricula for a wide range of stakeholders. Olivia is regularly called upon to speak and provide expert advice on rule of law, justice, and human rights issues. A qualified lawyer, she holds an LL.M. in International and European Human Rights Law from the University of Amsterdam and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. 

John Usher is the Director of Finance and Operations at PRI, where he leads the organisation’s global finance, operations and IT functions. With extensive experience managing international finance and operations in the non-profit sector, he has played a key role in supporting PRI’s strategic growth and ensuring strong financial management across its global offices and programmes. 

Throughout his career at PRI, John has overseen financial planning and analysis, budgeting, reporting, compliance, operational systems and organisational development. He has worked closely with international teams, donors and partners to strengthen financial sustainability, improve operational efficiency and support the delivery of PRI’s mission across multiple regions. 

Beyond his leadership responsibilities, John contributes to organisational strategy, risk management and governance, helping to ensure that PRI operates effectively and sustainably while delivering impact in the field of criminal justice and human rights. 

Raoul Nolen has served as Director of Programme Development at PRI since 2024, having joined the organisation in 2022 as Fundraising and Impact Manager. 

Raoul led the development of PRI’s 2024 – 2028 organisational strategy and was instrumental in the adoption of Goal 6, which focuses on the meaningful integration of people with lived experience of the justice system into penal reform efforts. His commitment to this area draws on more than 13 years of experience as Director of Young Perspectives, where he championed the involvement of people with lived experience in shaping policy and practice. 

In his current role, Raoul leads the development of new programmes at global, regional and national levels, working closely with PRI’s regional directors and colleagues across the organisation. He identifies emerging opportunities, develops innovative approaches to criminal justice reform and helps establish new partnerships and networks. A key aspect of his work is building relationships with donors and funding partners and leading the development of fundraising proposals to support PRI’s strategic objectives. 

Raoul has spearheaded the development of two major global PRI initiatives: the Global Network on Probation and Parole and the Global Alliance of Civil Society for Prison Reform. He continues to explore new opportunities for collaboration and innovation that advance PRI’s mission and global impact. 

Raoul began his career at the Dutch National Youth Council, where he led initiatives promoting youth participation in sustainable development and international cooperation. He holds an MSc in Human Geography and Development Studies from the University of Amsterdam. 

Doreen Namyalo-Kyazze is the Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at Penal Reform International (PRI), leading the organisation’s strategy, partnerships, and justice reform programmes across the region. A lawyer and human rights advocate with over 20 years of experience, she is committed to advancing justice systems that uphold human dignity, protect vulnerable populations, and promote inclusive societies. In recognition of her contribution to human rights, she was nominated as an EU Human Rights Defender in 2024.

Doreen has successfully designed and led multi-country justice programmes funded by bilateral and multilateral partners, with expertise in strategic leadership, programme development, fundraising, governance, and policy reform. She is recognised for advancing gender-responsive criminal justice systems and has supported legislative and policy reform across Africa. She has advised governments, international bodies, regional organisations, and civil society, while building strong partnerships that have strengthened justice institutions, expanded access to justice, improved detention conditions, and promoted alternatives to imprisonment.

Taghreed Jaber is the Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at PRI. Ms Jaber holds an LLM in International Human Rights from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom. She has worked in the field of human rights for more than 26 years and has been with PRI since 2018, leading regional programmes on criminal justice reform, prison reform, alternatives to imprisonment, access to justice, gender-responsive justice, and security sector reform. 

She has over two decades of experience designing and managing complex reform programmes across the MENA region, working closely with ministries of justice, prison administrations, police institutions, judicial bodies, national human rights institutions, civil society organisations, and international partners. Her work focuses on strengthening rights-based criminal justice systems, reducing unnecessary imprisonment, promoting rehabilitation and reintegration, and improving justice outcomes for women, children, and people in vulnerable situations across more than 16 countries. 

At the international level, Ms. Jaber has contributed to the development and implementation of key United Nations standards and guidance. She served as a member of the intergovernmental committee involved in drafting the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders, known as the Bangkok Rules. She also contributed as an expert to processes linked to the revision of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules, and to work related to the United Nations Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty. In addition, she has authored and contributed to policy papers, research studies, technical tools, training manuals, and institutional reform frameworks on anti-corruption, green prisons, aftercare and reintegration, alternatives to imprisonment, de-radicalisation within justice systems and gender-responsive justice systems.

Tsira Chanturia is the Regional Director for the South Caucasus at PRI, where she has led justice reform initiatives since 2009. With over 20 years of experience in human rights and criminal justice, she has worked extensively on prison monitoring, probation reform, rehabilitation programmes and the prevention of torture. 

She has designed and implemented a number of projects since 2008 in the areas of torture prevention, alternatives to imprisonment and probation, gender-sensitive justice and penal policies and practices, child-friendly justice systems, rehabilitation and resocialisation services for people in the justice system, promoting international standards for human rights in the field of criminal justice (UN OPCAT, UN Bangkok Rules, UN Mandela Rules). 

Beyond her leadership role at PRI, Tsira has contributed extensively to national and international platforms. She has served on advisory councils and expert panels for the Ombudsman’s Office of Georgia, the National Probation Agency, and the Ministry of Corrections, as well as working with coalitions monitoring the EU–Georgia Association Agreement. Her expertise has been sought by organisations such as the Open Society Georgia Foundation and the Council of Europe, where she has provided research and policy analysis on issues ranging from probation reform to tackling torture in detention. 

Tsira holds an MA in Public Policy and Management from the University of York (UK) and a bachelor’s degree in law and public administration from Grigol Robakidze University, graduating with honours. 

Her published contributions include studies on the impact of COVID-19 on probation in Georgia, analyses of prison reform priorities, and policy briefs on systemic challenges in tackling torture. She has also authored chapters on women in the criminal justice system, reflecting her commitment to addressing the intersection of justice and gender.