Cherie to head prison system probe

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The outgoing first lady of Downing Street will take on the presidency of the Commission of Inquiry, set up by the Howard League for Penal Reform.

It is the latest sign that Mrs Blair is intending to pursue an active career after her husband steps down as prime minister.

She is already preparing for a lecture tour in the United States.

Mrs Blair, in her professional capacity as Cherie Booth QC, will be one of a number of high profile figures with responsibility for examining policy and practice across the penal system in England and Wales.

The inquiry will look at the role of prisons in the 21st century and how to make better use of community sentences.

Mrs Blair is particularly interested in restorative justice, putting the victim at the centre of the system and emphasising the damage that has been caused.

She 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 new commission will also explore new ideas like restorative justice as well as how we can best turn offenders away from crime."