Royal Commission on the Penal System in England and Wales: Papers and Evidence

HO 307

1960-1966

Papers of the Royal Commission on the Penal System in England and Wales, which was asked to investigate the theory and practice of the treatment and punishment of offenders in England and Wales, and to recommend any changes thought necessary. No report was presented. The series contains agenda and minutes of meetings, evidence and information material, and correspondence files.

Public Record(s)

English

137 file(s)

Subject to 30 year closure unless otherwise stated

Topics

Prisons

The Royal Commission was appointed by the Prime Minister in April 1964, under the Chairmanship of Viscount Amory, and with wide terms of reference, namely 'in the light of modern knowledge of crime, and its causes, and of modern penal practice here and abroad, to re-examine the concepts and purposes which should underlie the punishment and treatment of offenders in England and Wales; to report how far they are realised by the penalties and methods of treatment available to the courts, and whether any changes in these, or in the arrangements and responsibility for selecting the sentences to be imposed on particular offenders, are desirable; to review the work of the services and institutions dealing with offenders, and the responsibility for their administration: and to make recommendations.'

Following discussions between the members of the Royal Commission and the Home Secretary, in the light of proposals by the Government to introduce legislation on various aspects of the penal system, the Roysl Commission was wound up in May 1966 and the Home Secretary appointed instead a standing Advisory Council on the Penal System.