Olivia Rope

Olivia Rope was appointed Executive Director of Penal Reform International (PRI) in 2020, having joined the organisation in 2012 and previously leading on policy and international advocacy. She is an international lawyer, specialising in a range of human rights and criminal justice issues. Olivia has authored key publications, including Global Prison Trends, as well as research and policy briefings, training curricula, and legal analysis. She has more than a decade of experience in engaging and advocating for human rights at the multilateral level, including with the United Nations and regional bodies.

As head of PRI’s global operations, Olivia oversees all aspects of the organisation, from policy-setting and international advocacy to financial and fundraising responsibilities.

Prior to joining PRI, Olivia worked at Amnesty International in both their European Union office and their New Zealand section. She completed her LLM in International and European Human Rights Law at the University of Amsterdam in 2008 and was admitted to the High Court of New Zealand as a Barrister and Solicitor in 2009.