Reform · Organisations
Organisations driving reform
NGOs, research institutes, and oversight bodies — global, regional, and national. Every entry links to the organisation's website and its most-cited publications.
Amnesty International
globalFounded 1961
Global human-rights movement campaigning against torture, the death penalty, and unjust imprisonment.
death penalty abolitiontorture preventionprisoners of conscienceAssociation for the Prevention of Torture
globalFounded 1977
Geneva-based NGO working to prevent torture worldwide through monitoring, law reform, and training.
torture preventionmonitoringEuropean Committee for the Prevention of Torture
regionalFounded 1989
Council of Europe body that visits and reports on detention facilities across 46 European states.
torture preventionconditionsmonitoringFair and Just Prosecution
nationalFounded 2017
US network of elected reform-minded prosecutors working on systemic criminal justice change.
sentencingdecarcerationprosecutorial reformFair Trials
globalFounded 1992
International NGO working for fair and effective criminal justice systems.
pre trial detentiondefence rightsjuvenile justiceHarm Reduction International
globalFounded 1996
Research and advocacy organisation focused on drug policy, harm reduction, and the death penalty for drug offences.
alternativesdrug policydeath penalty abolitionHoward League for Penal Reform
nationalFounded 1866
England & Wales charity working for less crime, safer communities, and fewer people in prison.
alternativesjuvenile justicewomen prisonersHuman Rights Watch
globalFounded 1978
International NGO investigating abuses worldwide, with extensive prison-conditions and detention reporting.
conditionstorture preventiondeath penalty abolitionpre trial detentionInnocence Project
nationalFounded 1992
US non-profit working to exonerate wrongfully convicted people through DNA testing and reform criminal justice policy.
wrongful convictionsentencingInstitute for Crime & Justice Policy Research
academicAcademic research institute at Birkbeck, University of London — publishers of the World Prison Brief.
data transparencyresearchPenal Reform International
globalFounded 1989
Independent non-governmental organisation working on criminal justice reform worldwide.
alternativesdeath penalty abolitionconditionsjuvenile justicePrison Policy Initiative
nationalFounded 2001
US non-profit producing research that exposes the harm of mass criminalization.
decarcerationdata transparencyphone justicevoting rightsThe Sentencing Project
nationalFounded 1986
US advocacy and research non-profit working to end mass incarceration and racial disparities in the justice system.
sentencingjuvenile justiceracial disparitiesvoting rightsUnited Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
globalFounded 1997
UN agency that publishes global crime and prison data and provides technical assistance on penal reform.
alternativesconditionstorture preventionstandardsVera Institute of Justice
nationalFounded 1961
US non-profit that drives change in justice systems through research, technical assistance, and demonstration projects.
decarcerationdata transparencyconditionsimmigration detentionWorld Coalition Against the Death Penalty
globalFounded 2002
Coalition of NGOs, bar associations, local authorities and unions working to abolish capital punishment worldwide.
death penalty abolition