Reminder for Annual General Meeting
Members of The Howard League For Penal Reform Canterbury NZ Inc are invited to the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 24 August 2022 at 6:00pm. Our meeting is to be held at the TSB Space in Turanga Library (60 Cathedral Sq in the Christchurch CBD).
There will be a short break following the closure of our AGM, with refreshments available. This will be a chance for attendees to purchase raffle tickets It will be $2 for one ticket of $5 for three! Cash will be accepted otherwise we will also have a QR code set up to take payments.
If you are unable to attend the event in person we will livestream the event on our Facebook page . Click this link to go to our page: The Howard League Canterbury – Home | Facebook

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 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.
Canterbury Branch – Te Peka o Waitaha
What We Do
Prison Information 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. Our committee members are Cos Jeffery, Helen Murphy, Kate Keenan, Courtney Green, Amy Kennerley, Kerryn Beaton, Kristi Thomas, Andrea Herbert, Ally Clover and Ruth Harcourt.
Howard League PO Box 2912 Christchurch 8140
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.
Meetings:
Our committee meets monthly.
The contact person and President for the Otago branch is Len Anderson.