Penal Reform International

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Penal Reform International (commonly known as PRI) was founded in London in 1989, and has members in five continents and in over 80 countries. PRI is an international non-governmental organisation working on penal and criminal justice reform worldwide. The organization's reform work is based on the development and implementation of international human rights instruments in relation to law enforcement and prison conditions; the elimination of unfair and unethical discrimination in all penal measures; the abolition of the death penalty; the reduction of the use of imprisonment throughout the world; the use of constructive non-custodial sanctions which support the social reintegration of offenders whilst taking into account the interests of victims.

PRI works with other NGOs and with governments in regional programmes in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, South Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. While the organization shares best practices and expertise across regions, PRI works to develop and promote culturally specific solutions to criminal justice and penal reform.

Baroness Stern was Secretary-General of PRI from 1989 until 2006.

Rani Dhavan Shankardass was Vice-Chairperson and subsequently Chairperson of PRI.

The organisation is based in Brixton, south London.