John Howard

John Howard

Name	John Howard
Birth name
Birth date	1726
Birth place	Hackney, London, England
Death date	20 January 1790
Death place	Kherson, Russian Empire
Alma mater
Occupation	Philanthropist, Prison Reformer
Years active
Organization
Known for
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

John Howard (1726 – 20 January 1790) was a prominent English philanthropist and the first English prison reformer. He is best known for his extensive work in improving the conditions of prisons and advocating for the humane treatment of prisoners. His efforts laid the groundwork for modern penology and prison reform.

Early Life

John Howard was born in Hackney, London, in 1726. He was the son of a wealthy upholsterer, and he inherited a considerable fortune upon his father's death. Howard's early education was conducted at a private school, and he later traveled extensively in Europe, which broadened his perspectives and influenced his later humanitarian work.

Prison Reform

Howard's interest in prison reform began after he was appointed High Sheriff of Bedfordshire in 1773. During his tenure, he was appalled by the conditions he observed in local jails. Prisoners were often held in squalid conditions, with inadequate food, clothing, and sanitation. Many were detained without trial, and jailers often extorted money from prisoners for basic necessities.

In response, Howard embarked on a series of tours across England and Europe to inspect prisons and gather data on their conditions. His findings were published in his seminal work, The State of the Prisons in England and Wales (1777), which detailed the appalling conditions and called for significant reforms.

Howard advocated for several key reforms, including:

• The separation of prisoners by gender and offense.
• The provision of adequate food, clothing, and medical care.
• The abolition of fees charged to prisoners.
• The establishment of a system of regular inspections to ensure compliance with standards.

Legacy

John Howard's work had a profound impact on the field of penology. His advocacy led to the passage of the Penitentiary Act 1779, which incorporated many of his proposed reforms. Howard's efforts also inspired future reformers, such as Elizabeth Fry and Dorothea Dix, to continue the work of improving prison conditions.

Howard's legacy is commemorated by the Howard League for Penal Reform, an organization dedicated to promoting humane treatment of prisoners and reforming the criminal justice system.

Death

John Howard died of typhus in 1790 while visiting a military hospital in Kherson, in the Russian Empire. He was buried in the city, and a monument was later erected in his honor in St. Paul's Cathedral, London.

Also see

• Elizabeth Fry
• Dorothea Dix
• Penitentiary Act 1779
• Howard League for Penal Reform