Helen Fair

Helen Fair is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (ICPR), Birkbeck, University of London. She has held roles including Research Associate at the International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS) and later Research Fellow at ICPR since 2014. Her work focuses on global prison systems, penal reform, and criminal justice policy.

Key Affiliations:

• Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research (ICPR), Birkbeck, University of London
• Formerly with the International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS)

Research Interests: Helen's work centers on imprisonment practices, prison population dynamics, gender disparities in custody, and policy reforms. She leads major projects like the World Prison Brief database and collaborates internationally on topics including prison labor, pre-trial detention, and pandemic management in custodial settings.

Publications Overview: Her research spans global comparative studies, policy guides, and handbooks. Key themes include prison overcrowding, human rights compliance, and innovative reform strategies. Recent work examines prison labor laws in the US and UK, and international approaches to reducing imprisonment rates.

Grants & Collaborations: Helen has worked with organizations like the Ministry of Justice, UNDP Vietnam, and the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. She contributes to policy consultations and international fellowship programs focused on penal reform.

Labs/Teams: Core member of ICPR's research team, collaborating on projects like the World Prison Research Programme and Unlocking Potential initiative on prisoner employment.