Andrew Coyle

Andrew Coyle’s specialist research interests are human rights in the penal context, international prison reform, prison management and alternatives to prison. Through his work in the International Centre for Prison Studies he has led research and project activities to develop a body of knowledge, which is based on international human rights covenants and standards, about the principles on which the use of imprisonment should be based and which can be used as a sound basis for policies on prison issues. Under his direction the Centre built up a resource network for the spread of best practice in prison management worldwide which is used by prison administrators for practical advice on how to manage prison systems in a just, decent, humane and cost effective manner.

The International Centre for Prison Studies assists governments and other relevant agencies to develop appropriate policies on prisons and the use of imprisonment. It carries out its work on a project or consultancy basis for international agencies, governmental and non-governmental organisations. It makes the results of its academic research and projects widely available to groups and individuals, some of whom might not normally use such work. These include policy makers, practitioners and administrators, the media and the general public. This dissemination is aimed at increasing an understanding of the purpose of prison and what can be expected of it.

Andrew Coyle is currently involved in the Centre’s work in North, Central and South America, Western and Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, as well as in the United Kingdom. He was one of the principal drafters of the revised European Prison Rules, published by the Council of Europe in 2006.

In 2005 Andrew Coyle was appointed as one of the three members of the Public Inquiry panel into the murder of Billy Wright in the Maze prison in 1997.

He is a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Punishment & Society.

International prison reform; prison management; alternatives to prison; human rights.