Cherie to lead inquiry into prisoners who reoffend

The Prime Minister's wife will take on the role of president of a commission on English prisons set up by the Howard League for Penal Reform.

The panel will take evidence from justice experts across the political spectrum to assess the best methods of reducing reoffending and dealing with criminals.

Mrs Blair's involvement in the prison system investigation could prove embarrassing to her husband's successor as Prime Minister. The Government's current policy of using custodial sentences has led to a record prison population of more than 80,000.

This move indicates that Mrs Blair will continue to play an active role in law and politics in the coming years.

Her decision, announced last week, to undertake a lucrative lecture tour in North America has been much criticised. The speaking engagements are expected to bring her appearance fees worth tens of thousands of pounds, although it has so far been billed as being focused on her work as a human rights lawyer.

Mrs Blair's decision to head the Howard League's commission follows her recent calls for greater use of "restorative justice" in which offenders seek to make good the damage caused by their crime either by apologising to victims or carryingout physical repairs.

Mrs Blair said: "I am delighted to be president of this commission, which will investigate the role of prisons today and their place in the broad workings of the criminal justice system.

"Of course, imprisonment must remain the proper sentence for the most serious offences and prison will continue to have a central role in the criminal justice system. But the commission will also explore new ideas like restorative justice as well as how we can best turn offenders away from crime."

Other members of the commission will be announced over the coming months and the investigation itself is expected to last for more than a year.

The announcement of Mrs Blair's involvement provides a further illustration of how she will spend her time once her husband quits Downing Street on 27 June. She is already booked to present three lectures in Toronto, San Jose and Denver.

Mrs Blair is being advertised by New York-based Harry Wakler Agency, which represents her, as a "wonder woman" as well as the more recognisable and formal "Cherie Booth QC, Human Rights Lawyer, wife of Tony Blair".

Ticket prices for the lectures, which are in venues with a capacity of up to 3,000 people, range from £18 to £57.

Mrs Blair's decision to do the lecture circuit prompted a recent warning from former senior judge Lady Butler-Sloss who, while paying tribute to her as a "warm and loving person", suggested that her legal career could be harmed unless she focused on it more closely.

Lady Butler-Sloss said: "Is her heart in the Bar and the prospect - which is never certain - of becoming a judge? Or would she prefer a different way of life?

"It might be partly a question of money - but also which she would regard as more rewarding. She has a lot more to give to family law.

"She has a genuine and very strong commitment to the welfare of children and I would hope that she would continue to promote that. I much admire her for it."