Waterside Press

John Howard (1726-1790) is best known as the namesake of the UK's oldest penal reform charity, the Howard League. In this extensively researched book, Tessa West reveals his legacy and complex character. Howard was history's first (self-appointed) prison inspector. Arriving at penal establishments unannounced, he recorded the realities behind closed doors, culminating in his iconic The State of the Prisons. A restless workaholic perfectionist, he travelled through the UK, Russia, Germany, and Holland pushing for systemic change. West captures a highly singular individual: benevolent, obsessive, focused and lacking social contacts. This book highlights why prisons demand constant scrutiny and shows what a truly great figure Howard was. 'A riveting account of the great penal reformer'- Guardian'Impeccably researched and fascinating'- The Howard Journal'No-one who reads this wonderful book could dispute that Howard ranks among the most interesting people of his age'- Times Literary Supplement

Alibi is a gritty chronicle of crime detection in the 1980s that centres on a real-life unsolved double murder. Following these tragic events in the lives of would-be international drug dealers, this masterful blend of fact and fiction captures the everyday mayhem of a free-wheeling ‘punishment’ outpost of London’s Metropolitan Police. When Alan Jackaman was posted to Clapham — a dumping ground for wayward members of the CID — crimes were solved not by DNA and CCTV but by a rag-tag collection of detectives, many of whom preferred banter and a lunchtime pint to doing things by the book. Within this chaotic, old-school environment, the Murder Squad was tasked with untangling the web of subterfuge and deception spun by the chief suspect. This book challenges the reader to look beneath the murky surface, consider the evidence, and say what really happened on that horrific summer night in South London four decades ago. Foreword by Rae Price Whose life was forever altered by the tragedy.

Lawyers often face criticism from politicians when they give inconvenient advice. The term "lefty lawyer" developed to disparage for example, those defending human rights, immigrants, deportees and demanding democratic accountability. Lefty Lawyer: Speaking Truth to Power is Pauline Campbell's response on behalf of all those seeking simply to uphold the Rule of Law. Dubbed not A-Level material at school, the author became an award-winning solicitor, renowned for speaking out against hostile environment policies that caused great fear amongst long-standing UK residents whose paperwork might have been lost or destroyed. Her remarkable resilience has seen her oppose racism, colourism, sexism and injustice, and it is little wonder perhaps that her badge of honour remains being cancelled without explanation after being invited to address civil servants. Undeterred, Pauline Campbell has continued to use her voice and legal skills to support hundreds of vulnerable victims, including pro bono with members and descendants of the Windrush Generation.