Andrea Coomber KC (Hon) is the Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, the world’s oldest prison charity. Working towards less crime, safer communities and fewer people in prison, Andrea is a leading commentator on prison policy and politics. She was appointed Queen’s Council (Honoris Causa) in 2022 for making a major contribution to the development of law in England and Wales.
An Australian qualified barrister and solicitor, Andrea spent 18 years working for human rights organisations in New Delhi, Geneva and Cairo before becoming the equality lawyer and latterly legal director at INTERIGHTS, where she litigated strategic cases before regional human rights courts. Before joining the Howard League, she spent seven years as Director of JUSTICE. Since 2019, Andrea has served as a Lay Member on the House of Lords Conduct Committee.