The Curious Mr Howard: Legendary Prison Reformer - Hardcover

West, Tessa

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1904380735 ISBN 13: 9781904380733

Publisher: Waterside Pr, 2011

Synopsis

John Howard's curiosity about prisons goes without saying, as his own writings show, including his iconic The State of the Prisons in England and Wales. As a self-appointed inspector of prisons - and the first to carry out such a task - Howard would knock on the door of penal establishments, mostly unannounced or uninvited. Once inside, he would observe, listen, and make copious records of events behind prison walls. John Howard (1726-1790) was a curious individual altogether: restless, eccentric, and, above all, singular. Forever concerned with minutiae, not without friends, but lacking close social contacts, the workaholic Howard frequently travelled alone and in dangerous places for months on end. Always restless and forever retracing his steps, he was equally at home in foreign countries as he was pursuing his carefully planned routines in and around Cambridge and London. A perfectionist wherever he went, Howard brought his influence, genius, and reputation to bear, seeking to improve prisons and other institutions, and, as this book shows, he deserves to be remembered as a far greater and more important figure in British and European social history than many people might suspect. This book breaks fresh ground in looking at John Howard's immense legacy in terms of prison reform, as well as his fascinating character and personal life. Based on extensive research, it provides a vivid picture of the man and his times.

About this title

About the Author

Tessa West has worked in prisons and on prison-related matters for many years. While head of a prison education department she was awarded a Cropwood Fellowship at the Institute of Criminology in Cambridge. Among other things, she worked for the United Nations Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Department in Vienna and was an independent member of the Parole Board. In respect of The Curious Mr Howard she was given the Arthur Welton Award which enabled her to carry out research in Ukraine (where John Howard died). She is the author of Prisons of Promise (Waterside Press, 1997) and three novels.

Review

'No-one who reads this wonderful book could dispute that Howard ranks among the most interesting people of his age': Times Literary Supplement. 'A brilliant book which everyone should have on their Xmas list': Nick Hardwick, Chief Inspector of Prisons 'A riveting account of the great penal reformer, this humane, obsessive, guilt-ridden, lonely dissenter, indeed the "curious Mr Howard"': guardian.co.uk (click for full review) 'An excellent account, well worth reading. Recommended': Bedford Architectural Archaeological & Local History Society 'Impeccably researched and fascinating': Professor David Wilson, Centre for Applied Criminology Birmingham City University 'A remarkable book about a remarkable man': Sir Louis Blom-Cooper QC. 'A much better picture of penal reformer John Howard than I had believed possible': Dick Whitfield, trustee and former chair of the Howard League 'This book is a timely reminder of the dreams that inspired one man many years ago, and a reminder that we need John Howard as much or more today': Clive Stafford-Smith (from the Foreword)

About this edition

• Publisher: Waterside Pr
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1904380735
• ISBN 13: 9781904380733
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 378