Make Justice Work Advisory Board

Rob Allen – Director, International Centre for Prison Studies

An expert in prison studies and the criminal justice system, Rob became Director of the International Centre for Prison Studies in 2005. Prior to this he ran Rethinking Crime and Punishment, an initiative set up by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation to change public attitudes to prison and alternatives, and was Director of Research and Development at the crime reduction charity Nacro. Rob has undertaken work on criminal justice reform in 14 countries.

Baroness Helena Kennedy QC – Leading Human Rights Lawyer

One of Britain’s leading lawyers Helena Kennedy QC has spent her professional life giving voice to those who have least power within the system. She was made a life peer in 1997 and participates in the House of Lords on issues concerned with human rights, civil liberties, social justice and culture. On top of this she is President of the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London, President of the National Children’s Bureau, a Patron of Liberty and a member of the World Bank Institute’s External Advisory Council.

Neal Lawson – Chair, Compass

Political commentator and journalist, Neal is the Chair of the independent democratic left pressure group Compass, a Fellow of the Global Policy Institute and on the Board of the liberal think-tank CentreForum. He writes regularly for The Guardian and The New Statesman about equality, democracy and the future of the left and is the Contributing Editor of the quarterly progressive policy journal Renewal. He was formerly an adviser to Gordon Brown.

Clive Martin – Director, Clinks

Clive is Director of Clinks, the national body that supports the work of the voluntary and community-based sector who work with offenders and/or their families. As the Director of Clinks Clive is a member of NOMS Voluntary and Community Sector Advisory Group and Chair of the NOMS VCS Commissioning Group as well as the Faith Alliance Strategy Group. He is also a member of the NOMS External Stakeholder Forum and an executive member of the National Body of Black Prisoners Support Groups. Prior to joining Clinks he was a Senior Lecturer in Community Education. He writes and speaks regularly on the topic of the voluntary sector and criminal justice.

Bob Reitemeier – Chief Executive, The Children’s Society

Bob was appointed Chief Executive of the Children’s Society in 2002. During this time he has led the transformation of the charity’s work to focus on the most marginalised children and young people in the UK and has overseen the highly successful Good Childhood Inquiry. In addition Bob is a Board Member of the Children’s Workforce Development Council and Chair of the board of trustees of the National Council of Voluntary Child Care Organisations. Before joining The Children’s Society, Bob built up over 20 years of experience in the voluntary sector.

Enver Solomon – Assistant Director Policy, Barnardo’s

An expert in the criminal justice system, Enver is Assistant Director of Policy at the children’s charity Barnardo’s. He was previously the Deputy Director of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, an independent charity based in King’s College London. He has also previously worked as Head of Policy and Research at the Revolving Doors Agency and as Head of Policy and Communications at the Prison Reform Trust. Enver regularly appears on the national and local media commenting on criminal justice issues. Prior to working on criminal justice policy he was a BBC journalist.

Paul McDowell – Chief Executive, Nacro

Paul McDowell is Chief Executive of Nacro, the leading crime reduction charity in England and Wales. Prior to joining Nacro in October 2009, Paul McDowell was governor of HMP Brixton from 2006. He joined the Prison Service in 1990 as a Prison Officer at HMYOI Stoke Heath. In 1992 he was transferred to HMP Woodhill where he was amongst the first group of staff tasked with preparing the prison for its opening. He subsequently worked at HMP Wellingborough, Prison Service training college, Newbold Revel, HMP Gartree and HMYOI Feltham. In 2000 Paul was seconded to the Home Office where he worked in the Prison Minister’s Private Office.