Baroness Vivien Stern is a distinguished leader in penal reform and criminal justice. She served as Director of NACRO from 1977 to 1996, where under her stewardship the organization significantly expanded its collaboration with government bodies and justice agencies, championing humane reforms and alternatives to imprisonment across the UK. From 1989 to 2006, she was Secretary General of Penal Reform International, an organization she co-founded, playing a pivotal role in shaping international standards and fostering cooperation among governments, NGOs, and multilateral institutions.  Was a Senior Research Fellow at the International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS) at King’s College London between 1997 and 2012, Vivien Stern is the author of several seminal books, including Creating Criminals: prisons and people in a market society and A Sin Against the Future: imprisonment in the world. These works offer profound insights into the impact of market forces on penal systems and the societal consequences of mass incarceration. Her extensive reports and publications on prison conditions, alternatives to imprisonment, and human rights have been instrumental in influencing global penal policy and advancing humane justice practices.

Judge Renate Winter is internationally recognized for her expertise in juvenile and family justice. She has served as a judge in Austria and at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, where she presided over complex cases involving serious international crimes, demonstrating exceptional judicial leadership in challenging contexts.  Beyond her judicial roles, Renate has led numerous high-profile international missions with the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and other multilateral institutions, focusing on protecting children’s rights and reforming juvenile justice systems. Renate is a pioneer in promoting restorative justice and gender-sensitive judicial practices, helping countries develop more equitable and effective legal frameworks. Her contributions have influenced policy reforms and capacity-building efforts across Europe, Asia, and Africa, making her a respected authority in global justice reform.

Pioneer in evidence-based, humane prison management and criminal justice reform  Professor Andrew Coyle is a preeminent authority in prison reform and correctional management. A former prison governor and founding director of the International Centre for Prison Studies at King’s College London, he is widely regarded as an architect of the modern criminal justice paradigm—one grounded in empirical evidence and respect for human rights. His international advisory roles with the United Nations and numerous governments have shaped policies that enhance prisoner welfare, promote independent oversight, and improve penal governance worldwide.  Coyle’s influential publications, including Understanding Prisons and his handbook 'A Human Rights Approach to Prison Management' (Translated into 18 languages), have laid the intellectual foundation for a humane and effective approach to prison management. These works remain essential reading for criminal justice professionals, articulating a vision of correctional systems that balance security with dignity and rehabilitation. He continues to lead training and capacity-building initiatives globally, dedicated to advancing progressive reform and elevating standards in correctional institutions.

Influential advocate for sustainable justice sector transformation and human rights
Azamat Shambilov is a prominent figure in Central Asian justice reform, with extensive expertise in penitentiary systems and human rights. As former Regional Director of Penal Reform International, he spearheaded projects improving detention conditions, juvenile justice reforms, and anti-torture initiatives in countries including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Azamat has also been actively involved in policy advocacy, capacity building, and facilitating dialogue between governments and civil society to ensure sustainable reforms. His practical approach and regional insight have made him a trusted leader in advancing justice sector transformation across Central Asia.

Vice-chairperson of the UN Subcommittee for Prevention of Torture.  Dr. Elīna Šteinerte is a Latvian human rights lawyer and academic with over twenty years of experience. She serves on the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (UN SPT) as Vice Chair on National Preventive Mechanisms and was formerly Chair Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Elīna has led multiple international human rights missions and was twice appointed as an OSCE Moscow Mechanism expert investigating human rights violations in conflict zones.
Her expertise focuses on implementing the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture (OPCAT), independent oversight of places of deprivation of liberty, and criminal justice reforms including pre-trial detention and child justice. Elīna combines academic work, including co-authoring a key Oxford University Press text, with practical advisory roles to governments and international organizations, contributing to global efforts to prevent torture and protect vulnerable groups. Dr. Elīna Šteinerte is currently a professor of Procedural Law at the Complutense University of Madrid

Expert in Independent Prison Oversight (UK, former Prison Ombudsman, Northern Ireland)  Pauline McCabe has over thirty years of experience in independent prison oversight, including serving as Northern Ireland’s Prisoner Ombudsman. She led investigations into prisoner complaints and deaths in custody, significantly impacting prison reform under the Hillsborough Agreement. Since 2013, Pauline has worked internationally as a criminal justice advisor, supporting detention monitoring and torture prevention across Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. She also contributes to advisory panels in the UK on deaths in custody and reconciliation. Additionally, Pauline provides pro bono support for anti-poverty projects in Africa, reflecting her broad commitment to social justice.

An experienced leader promoting reduced incarceration and improved offender support  Andreas Skulberg, former former Deputy Director General, Ministry of Justice and Public Security of Norway
has been a key figure in Norway’s progressive prison system, focusing on rehabilitation, humane treatment, and reducing recidivism. He has contributed to implementing evidence-based programs such as cognitive behavioral therapy and drug treatment units within prisons. Andreas’s work supports Norway’s rehabilitative justice model, which emphasizes preparing inmates for successful reintegration into society and maintaining family ties during incarceration. His approach is grounded in research linking mental health and addiction treatment to better post-release outcomes.

A professor of Procedural Law at the Complutense University of Madrid. A Human Rights and International Cooperation Expert, Lorena Winter brings extensive experience in human rights advocacy and international justice cooperation. She has worked with governments, NGOs, and global organizations to enhance legal protections for vulnerable populations and improve cross-border justice mechanisms. Lorena’s expertise lies in designing and managing programs that strengthen institutional capacity and promote equitable access to justice, particularly in complex international environments. Her work supports sustainable human rights frameworks and collaborative solutions across jurisdictions.

Passionate defender of vulnerable children and gender-sensitive social justice initiatives  Annette Warmann is a dedicated advocate for social justice, focusing on child protection and gender equality. She has played a significant role in developing inclusive policies and programs that empower marginalized groups, especially children and women. Annette’s work emphasizes the intersectionality of social issues and the importance of community-based approaches to protect vulnerable populations. Her efforts contribute to creating safer, more equitable societies by addressing systemic inequalities and promoting gender-sensitive interventions.

Mark Dixon is a justice and policing reform expert with over 30 years of distinguished service in UK policing, including senior roles in investigations, operations, and community engagement. He has managed complex criminal cases as a Senior Investigating Officer and Detective Chief Inspector. Internationally, Mark has held key positions with the UN, EU, and OSCE missions, focusing on security and justice sector reform in conflict-affected regions. Since retiring, he has worked globally as a consultant and trainer, specializing in capacity building for fairer, more effective justice systems. Mark holds a BA in Administrative Management and an MSc in Security, Conflict, and International Development.

Dedicated professional advancing transparency and accountability in justice sectors.  Jesús Porras Quiñonero is a social worker with a master's degree in social and community research and intervention. He has been working in the field of social action since 2010. He has experience in drug addiction, elderly people, volunteering, international protection, and the child protection system and juvenile justice reform. He has participated in research studies related to volunteering and elderly people. He currently works for the juvenile and youth justice system in Spain

Expert in nonprofit finance dedicated to transparent and sustainable organizational growth
Manon Ploeg is an experienced financial and administrative professional with a passion for social justice. As Treasurer, she is responsible for managing the Centre’s financial resources, ensuring accountability, and supporting sustainable funding strategies. Manon’s expertise helps the organization maintain transparency and operational integrity while advancing its goals.

Professor, Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Tbilisi State Medical University. Dr. Beriashvili graduated from Tbilisi State Medical University. She received PhD in Forensic Medicine in 2003. Since 1996 she works in the field of Forensic Medicine. Since 2022 she is the Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine. In 2009-2011 she was the Head of Forensic Biology and the Head of Forensic Medicine at the National Forensics Bureau of Georgia. Since 2004 Dr. Beriashvili is actively involved into the Istanbul Protocol Implementation Project in Georgia. She participated as an International Trainer in Prevention and Documentation of Torture in several professional trainings in Georgia, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Armenia, Ukraine, Romania and Middle East. Dr. Rusudan Beriashvili is a member of International Forensic Experts Group of IRCT. Dr. Rusudan Beriashvili is the Secretary General of Georgian Forensic Medical Association, a member of Forensic Science Society (FSS, UK), a member of DNA Working Group of European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (DNAWG ENFSI), a member of European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG), a member of International Academy of Legal Medicine (IALM), a member of International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (IAC&ME).