Anne Owers
Encyclopedia
Dame Anne Elizabeth Owers, Mrs. Cook, née Spark, DBE
(born 23 June 1947) is Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons
. Owers is the fifth holder of the post, and was appointed in August 2001, succeeding David Ramsbotham. Her appointment was renewed in June 2006 and in March 2008.
Prior to this post she was Director of JUSTICE
, the UK-based human rights
and law reform
organisation.
Owers was educated at Washington Grammar School, County Durham
, and at Girton College, Cambridge
. On graduating she went to Zambia
to teach and to carry out research into African history. While taking time out to bring up her three children, Owers continued to undertake research and voluntary advice and race relations work.
In June 2008, she was appointed Chair of Christian Aid
, in succession to John Gladwin
. She opposed the Government's former proposal to build "Titan jails
".
Owers was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2000 for her work in human rights and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.
In 2010, Owers was appointed to the position of Chair of Clinks, a charity that supports the work of the voluntary and community sector working with offenders and their families. She is also a Trustee of The Butler Trust.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 23 June 1947) is Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons
Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons
Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons is the head of HM Inspectorate of Prisons and the senior inspector of prisons, young offender institutions and immigration service detention and removal centres in England and Wales...
. Owers is the fifth holder of the post, and was appointed in August 2001, succeeding David Ramsbotham. Her appointment was renewed in June 2006 and in March 2008.
Prior to this post she was Director of JUSTICE
JUSTICE
JUSTICE is a human rights and law reform organisation based in the United Kingdom. It is the British section of the International Commission of Jurists, the international human rights organisation of lawyers devoted to the legal protection of human rights worldwide...
, the UK-based human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and law reform
Law reform
Law reform or Legal reform is the process of examining existing laws, and advocating and implementing changes in a legal system, usually with the aim of enhancing justice or efficiency....
organisation.
Owers was educated at Washington Grammar School, County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, and at Girton College, Cambridge
Girton College, Cambridge
Girton College is one of the 31 constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge. It was England's first residential women's college, established in 1869 by Emily Davies and Barbara Bodichon. The full college status was only received in 1948 and marked the official admittance of women to the...
. On graduating she went to Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
to teach and to carry out research into African history. While taking time out to bring up her three children, Owers continued to undertake research and voluntary advice and race relations work.
In June 2008, she was appointed Chair of Christian Aid
Christian Aid
Christian Aid is the official relief and development agency of 40 British and Irish churches and works to support sustainable development, alleviate poverty, support civil society and provide disaster relief in South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Africa and Asia...
, in succession to John Gladwin
John Gladwin
John Warren Gladwin is the former Bishop of Chelmsford in the Church of England. He stands in the open evangelical tradition.Born in 1942, he was educated at Hertford Grammar School and Churchill College, Cambridge . His ministerial training was at Cranmer Hall, Durham . He was ordained deacon in...
. She opposed the Government's former proposal to build "Titan jails
Titan (prison)
Titan Prison or Titan jail was a proposed new classification of prison in England and Wales, designed to increase the overall prison capacity and improve operational efficiency....
".
Owers was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2000 for her work in human rights and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.
In 2010, Owers was appointed to the position of Chair of Clinks, a charity that supports the work of the voluntary and community sector working with offenders and their families. She is also a Trustee of The Butler Trust.