Welcome to JUSTICE, a podcast brought to you by the charity One Small Thing. New voices and intelligent discussion around criminal justice, with founder and prison philanthropist Edwina Grosvenor.
In this episode we look back to 2023's Motherhood in the Justice System Series when we explored the issues and challenges mothers in the justice system face, and what needs to change. Maternal health was a key feature in the series including a focus on experiences of pregnancy, birth and the post-natal period. In this episode we bring together the voices of two guests in this series. Dr Laura Abbott is a registered midwife and Associate Professor in Research at The University of Hertfordshire, who has extensively researched women's experiences of pregnancy in criminal justice settings. We also hear from Dr Miranda Davies who leads prisoner health research at the Nuffield Trust - this body of work is the first time routine hospital data at a national level has been used to describe how often prisoners use hospital services and for what reasons. Please note this episode contains discussion of traumatic births and infant mortality that some listeners may find upsetting. Explore Dr Laura Abbott's research: https://researchprofiles.herts.ac.uk/en/persons/laura-abbott/projects/ , and the Lost Mothers Project https://lostmothers.org/Find Dr Laura Abbott on X (formerly Twitter) or Bluesky @midwifeteacherRead the Nuffield Trust's report ‘Inequality on the inside: Using hospital data to understand the key health care issues for women in prison'Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode Lilly Lewis, Women's Involvement Advisor at One Small Thing speaks to Stephanie Bechelet and Thea Arch from Brainkind. Last month Brainkind released a report which found that 80% of women in the criminal justice system in Wales may be living with a brain injury. Alongside this they found the women in the study had complex health needs, frequently reporting histories of domestic abuse, substance misuse, and mental and physical health issues. Lilly speaks to Stephanie and Thea about this important research, as well as their wider work on brain injury for women who have experienced domestic abuse. Please note this episode contains description of abuse and violence and its impact on women's lives. To read the full report visit: https://brainkind.org/complex-lives/ Find out more about the work of Brainkind: https://brainkind.org/Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Despite the fact that 51% of the population will experience menopause, and the estimated 13 million people who are currently peri or menopausal in the UK, the topic of menopause has remained taboo. In 2022 I was delighted to speak to two advocates driving change in the national conversation around menopause on their experience of this transition, and what needs to change to ensure more women have access to the support they need – including those in the justice system. I spoke with Davina McCall, renowned TV presenter and household name who has presented documentaries about the menopause and is author of Menopausing, The Positive Roadmap to Your Second Spring which seeks to debunk myths, and break the shameful silence over the menopause. I was also joined by Carolyn Harris, MP for Swansea East who established the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on menopause and has played a pivotal role in putting menopause on the national agenda. More information:Read the APPG on Menopause Inquiry to assess the impacts of menopause and the case for policy reform: https://menopause-appg.co.uk/inquiry/Read Menopausing, The Positive Roadmap to Your Second Spring, by Davina McCall and Dr. Naomi Potter: https://www.waterstones.com/book/menopausing/davina-mccall/dr-naomi-potter/9780008517786Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode Edwina looks back to 2021 and 2022 when she interviewed representatives from two women's organisation who provide specific tailored substance use support to women. She spoke with Hannah Shead, CEO of Trevi, the only UK residential rehabilitation centre exclusively for mothers and their children, and Jo-Anne Welsh, former CEO of The Oasis Project which provides women-specific services and a trauma-informed approach to substance misuse treatment. Discussions include the barriers women face accessing appropriate treatment within prison and the community and why services like Trevi and The Oasis Project are so important. To learn more about the work of Trevi visit:https://www.trevi.org.uk Learn more about The Oasis Project: https://www.oasisproject.org.uk/Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode we explore diversion schemes for women, and what role they play in preventing women from being unnecessarily drawn further into the criminal justice system. Edwina speaks to Pamela Price South London Women's Hubs Manager, and Miranda Dobson Head of Communications from Women in Prison (WIP) to learn more about the diversion scheme they run in South London, linked to their women's centres. The programme aims to provide early intervention and support for women who have been taken into police custody, addressing underlying issues such as housing, poverty, and substance use. This episode highlights the challenges faced by women in the criminal justice system, including the stigma and shame associated with criminalisation, particularly for mothers, and explores the positive outcomes diversion schemes can have – such as improvements in mental health, relationships, and well-being. Learn more about the work of Women in Prison here: www.womeninprison.org.ukFollow them on X @WIP_live, on Instagram @womeninprisonuk, and on LinkedIn @Women in Prison.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode our Women's Involvement Advisor Lilly Lewis explores Problem Solving Courts for women with Dr Alexandria Bradley Senior Lecturer in Criminology, and Dr Sarah Waite Senior Lecturer in Law and Criminology from Leeds Beckett University. Alexandria and Sarah are currently evaluating Greater Manchester's Problem Solving Court for Women, a community justice initiative Lilly also knows well from her work supporting women in the Manchester area. The Problem Solving Court in Greater Manchester is a process in which the woman, the courts, probation services and women's centres work together to support the woman to adhere to her court order and to achieve positive outcomes for herself. The episode looks at how the approach works and what the evaluation will explore, as well as broader discussions on what a trauma informed community justice system could look like and what support services are needed. Learn more about Greater Manchester's Problem Solving court in a blog by Fiona Deacon, Strategic Lead for Women for Greater Manchester Probation: https://www.russellwebster.com/the-greater-manchester-problem-solving-court/ Learn more about the work of Dr Alexandria Bradley here: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/staff/dr-alexandria-bradley/ and find them on X: @DrAlexandriaB Learn more about the work of Dr Sarah Waite here: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/staff/sarah-waite/ and find them on X: @DrSWaite1Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode we look at what's needed to prevent young women getting caught up in the justice system and what community-based solutions are needed. Lilly is joined by Indy Cross, CEO of Agenda Alliance, who shares learning from their Young Women's Justice Project. In partnership with the Alliance for Youth Justice, the project engages with young women, front-line practitioners and other experts, with the aim to build a strong evidence base and influence practice and policy to better meet the needs of young women in contact with, or at risk of being in contact with the justice system. We also speak with a young woman Caiyan from Daddyless Daughters, a key partner in the Young Women's Justice Project, who shares her insights into what support should be provided. Daddyless Daughters supports girls and young women who have been affected by family breakdown, abuse and adversity across London between the age of 11 – 25 years old. Aliyah Ali, Founder of the organisation, also joins us to share more about their mission. Learn more:Agenda Alliance work to promote understanding of, and encourage systems and services to respond better to, the experiences of women and girls with multiple or complex unmet needs. Learn more about Agenda Alliance https://www.agendaalliance.org/ and on X: @Agenda_alliance ,Instagram: @agenda_alliance Read the Young Women's Justice project reports and find out more about the project: https://www.agendaalliance.org/our-work/projects-and-campaigns/young-womens-justice-project/ Learn more about Daddyless Daughters https://www.daddylessdaughters.co.uk/ X: @theddproject_ , Instagram: @daddyless_daughtersTwitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode celebrates the one year anniversary of Hope Street opening, our residential community for women and their children in contact with the Justice System. Edwina and the team look back at our service design and intentions and reflects on the first-year and the challenges and opportunities so far. This episode draws on previous interviews for the JUSTICE podcast such as with Lilly Lewis, One Small Thing's Women's Involvement Advisor exploring why a different kind of approach and space for women in the Justice system was needed. It also examines the design of the project with Mike Worthington, lead architect on Hope Street and Dr Madeline Petrillo, Associate professor of Criminology from Greenwich University who has been researching the co-production design process we used. We hear from Hope Street evaluation lead Dr Emma Plugge from the University of Southampton on the learning we hope to gather over coming years. To mark one year we also spoke to the CEO of One Small Thing Claire Hubberstey and a number of the team at Hope Street on how the first year has gone and their challenges, successes and hopes for Hope Street. Learn more about Hope Street www.onesmallthing.org.uk/hopestreetFollow us on Instagram @hopestreet_ostTwitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode we explore suspended sentences and what a presumption against short prison sentences really means. With the election this year, it is not clear which policies will be upheld if there is a change in Government, however recently Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk announced intentions to introduce a presumption against sentences of less than 12 months in England and Wales, in favour of these short sentences being suspended in the community. Experts Dr Shona Minson and Dr. Cyrus Tata discuss the effectiveness of this policy in Scotland since it was introduced over a decade ago, finding little impact on reducing custody rates. They explore the proposed legislation in England and Wales, challenging assumptions around it's suggested impact, and highlighting that without both clarity of vision and proper investment in community support, prison will often be used as the default. We explore how vital community support services, such as women's centres, are for women involved in the justice system, 66% of whom receive sentences of less that 12 months and would therefore have their sentences suspended under the new presumption. Learn more about Dr Cyrus Tata https://www.strath.ac.uk/staff/tatacyrusprof/ and find them on Twitter @CyrusTata1 Learn more about Dr Shona Minson https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/people/shona-minson and find them on Twitter @ShonaMinsonTwitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Introducing our new series of JUSTICE where we will be exploring community justice solutions for women. What are community justice solutions? And why are they important for women? For the first time, this series will be co-hosted by Edwina Grosvenor with One Small Thing's Women's Involvement Advisor Lilly Lewis. Along with expert guests we'll delve into different sentencing options, and initiatives aimed at keeping women in the community, as well as prevention and diversion. Importantly, we'll be highlighting why it's vital we stop sending women to prison unnecessarily, and focus on providing support within communities. Our JUSTICE podcast series exploring community justice solutions will be out this Summer. To keep up to date with all the latest episode releases subscribe to JUSTICE, and follow us on X @OSTCharity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's episode, we continue our exploration of transformational spaces by looking at an example of trauma informed design from further afield. Edwina speaks to Samantha Donnelly, an architect and lecturer at the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia. Samantha is also a PHD Candidate, her thesis focusing on how trauma informed design can benefit the experiences of women, children and staff in domestic abuse refuges. Edwina and Samantha discuss how trauma informed design, and buildings can impact the lives of people who are in vulnerable situations. Samantha shares more about some of the issues she has encountered as an architect in designing spaces for women in refuge, as well as the design solutions she has found to supporting women to feel safe in their surroundings. Learn more about Samantha Donnelly's work here: https://profiles.uts.edu.au/Samantha.Donnelly/aboutRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's episode, Edwina speaks to Are Høidal, Senior Advisor for the Norwegian Correctional Service. Are has over 30 years' experience of being a Governor in Norway's prison system, first in Oslo Prison, and then in internationally renowned Halden Prison for 14 years. Are was heavily involved in the radical transformation of the Norwegian Prison Service in the 1990s, which led to the dramatic reduction in recidivism which now stands at a world leading 20%. The changes in the 1990s saw the Norwegian prison service professionalise the frontline workforce and radically change their training. Another key element of this was designing prisons to be places of rehabilitation, and to simulate life outside of prison as far as possible. Halden Prison is a prime example of this. Designed to simulate a village, the architecture aims to minimise residents' sense of incarceration, avoid psychological pressures, conflicts, and interpersonal friction, whilst maintaining security. In this episode Are shares his experience of working in Halden Prison, how the environment differed from Oslo prison, and whether he thinks Halden, despite the international praise it has received, can ever be considered a ‘healing space'. Are has written a book, ‘The Norwegian Prison System, Halden Prison and Beyond'. Learn more about his book here.Read more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode Edwina explores prison design and architecture. Throughout history prisons have been places purposefully designed to be oppressive and punitive. However today, there is growing consensus that conditions inside prison should not be part of the punishment, and that if custody is appropriate at all, prisons should in fact be spaces that support change and growth. The question remains - can spaces designed to deprive people of their liberty ever be conducive to healing? And to what extent? In this episode we explore these questions with Yvonne Jewkes, Professor of Criminology at the University of Bath. Yvonne's research area is prison architecture and design, and she has consulted on prison design projects around the world. In this episode we explore Yvonne's work designing the new women's prison in Limerick, Ireland. Yvonne reflects on the process of working on this project, and the completed results, and speaks more broadly about the tension between designing prisons for women, and advocating for less women in prison. Yvonne has written a personal and professional memoir, An Architecture of Hope: Reimagining the Prison, Restoring a House, Rebuilding Myself, which will be published by Scribe in Autumn 2024. You can learn more about Limerick Prison here:https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/limerick-womens-prison-an-architecture-of-hopeFollow Yvonne on Twitter @YvonneJewkesRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the first episode of our Healing Spaces series, we discuss whether healing spaces within the justice system are possible, and if so, what this could look like. Edwina speaks with Lilly Lewis, One Small Thing's Women's Involvement Advisor about her experiences in the justice system and the importance of considering physical space when supporting women's recovery from trauma. In this episode we also meet those involved in the design of Hope Street, our pilot residential community for justice-involved women and their children. Dr Madeline Petrillo, Associate professor of Criminology from Greenwich University has been researching the co-production design process we used, and she is joined by Mike Worthington former director of Snug Architects and lead architect on Hope Street. They discuss what they have learnt about designing a space for women affected by the justice system that aims to be trauma informed. We also hear from one of the women involved in the consultation processes for Hope Street, and her impressions of the physical environment when she visited the final building at the opening event this year. Read more about Hope Street: https://onesmallthing.org.uk/hopestreetLearn more about Madeline's work here: https://www.gre.ac.uk/people/rep/las/madeline-petrilloLearn about Snug Architects: https://www.snugarchitects.co.uk/Read more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Introducing our new series of JUSTICE where we will explore what impact the physical environment can have on those who have experienced trauma. How can spaces be designed to create feelings of safety, and promote healing? And what key design elements do we need to consider when responding to trauma? Along with expert guests, we will be exploring a variety of physical contexts and why it's vital that we not only understand the potential physical space can have for hope and healing, but also for harm. Our JUSTICE podcast series ‘Healing Spaces' will be out this November. To keep up to date with all the latest episode releases subscribe to JUSTICE, and follow us on Twitter / X @OSTCharity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In our final episode in our series exploring motherhood in the justice system, Edwina reflects on what we've heard, and looks to the solutions to some of the challenges we've explored this series. Lilly Lewis, Women's Involvement Advisor at One Small Thing, returns to discuss her thoughts and feelings on what she's heard on the series, and shares what she hopes those listening will take away. We explore the need to continue to work together across the sector to campaign for reform and hear from Naomi and Sam from Birth Companions on the No Birth Behind Bars campaign. Edwina also speaks to Emma Plugge who is the lead at the University of Southampton for the evaluation of Hope Street, our residential community for women and their children that aims to be a blueprint for change across the Justice system. To conclude this series we look forward with hope that the justice system can finally be reformed to better support mothers and their children.Read more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode we focus on the experiences and voices of children affected by maternal imprisonment. So often children are kept in the dark about what is happening, or their views and wishes are overlooked. This episode contains the voices of children who have been affected alongside professionals working to improve the support available.We hear from Farhana and Tiff who have both been personally affected by their mother going to prison and have also written blogs on this topic for One Small Thing. They both describe experiences of being ignored and overlooked by the professionals around them.We also speak to Sarah Beresford, Prison Reform Trust Associate and Churchill Fellow who explains how Child Impact Assessments can equip adults and services to listen more closely to the needs of children with mothers in the criminal justice system. A full podcast episode with Sarah can be accessed here.We hear from Sarah Burrows, founder of Children Heard and Seen, a charity she set up to support children and families affected by parental imprisonment. A full podcast episode on Children Heard and Seen can be accessed here. Sarah speaks about their important work, as well as the new Operation Paramount - a partnership with Thames Valley Violence Reduction Unit and Police which is the first-ever mechanism to identify children when their parent goes to prison. You can see a video about Operation Paramount here: https://www.tvvru.co.uk/project/paramount/Read more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's episode, Edwina explores the issues affecting black and racially minoritised mothers in the justice system. She speaks to two researchers at the cutting edge of improving knowledge of these experiences. Dr Sinem Bozkurt is a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Westminster and an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her PhD explored the prison and post-prison experiences of racially minoritised mothers. Monica Thomas is an ESRC funded PhD researcher at Cardiff University. Monica's PhD research focuses on the experiences of Black mothers in and after imprisonment, using Black feminist narrative methods. In this episode, Sinem and Monica share some of the findings of their research, and discuss how race intersects with motherhood experiences in the justice system. Learn more about Sinem https://www.westminster.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/directory/bozkurt-sinem-0#aboutLearn more about Monica https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/research-students/view/1713147-thomas-monicaRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's episode, Edwina speaks to Becky Wray and Katia Parent, the two family social workers who are part of the pilot project run by the Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) that sees family social workers being based inside women's prisons for the first time.We hear the unique perspectives of these social workers – the difficult job of managing the connection or separation between mothers and their children, and navigating the prison and care system in-between.The Farmer Review (2017) recommended Social Workers to be present in every women's prison. In 2019, and in partnership with Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact), this three-year pilot project (funded by the Sylvia Adams Foundation) began which saw two family social workers being placed in two prisons for women. You can read about the evaluation of the first year of the pilot led by Professor Alyson Rees at CASCADE (Cardiff University) here and an article by the team and Dr Lucy Baldwin here. To learn more about the work of the Prison Advice and Care Trust (Pact) visit https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/Follow Pact on Twitter @prisonadviceRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Please note this episode contains discussion of traumatic births and infant mortality that some listeners may find upsetting. This week we are continuing the exploration of pregnancy and birth in the justice system. In our last episode Edwina spoke with Dr Laura Abbott, a registered midwife and Associate Professor in Research at The University of Hertfordshire, who has extensively researched women's experiences of pregnancy in criminal justice settings. In this episode we'll be delving deeper into more of the data around pregnancy in prison, and learning about the lived experience of those who have been pregnant in prison. Suzy* is a trustee and Lived Experience Team member of Birth Companions, a women's charity dedicated to tackling inequalities and disadvantage during pregnancy, birth and early motherhood. Suzy has lived experience of pregnancy in prison, and works with Dr Laura Abbott's on the Lost Mothers Project, a pioneering study exploring how women and professionals involved with the justice system, experience enforced separation of newborn babies. In the episode, Suzy shares more about her experience of pregnancy in prison, and explains why prison can never be a safe place for pregnant women and babies. We'll also be hearing from Dr Miranda Davies, the lead for prisoner health research at the Nuffield Trust. The work Miranda leads is the first time routine hospital data at a national level has been used to describe how often those in prison use hospital services, and for what reasons. Miranda shares more about the data they've collected on pregnant women in prison, published in their recent report ‘Inequality on the Inside'. Learn more about the work of Birth Companions: www.birthcompanions.org.uk Read the Nuffield Trust's report ‘Inequality on the inside: Using hospital data to understand the key health care issues for women in prison' *Not her real nameRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, we explore pregnancy and birth in the justice system. What are the experiences of those who enter prison pregnant and are faced with giving birth inside? And what impact does imprisoning pregnant women have on their safety, and their baby's? To help us explore these questions, Edwina spoke to Dr Laura Abbott, a registered midwife and Associate Professor in Research at The University of Hertfordshire. Laura's has extensively researched women's experiences of pregnancy in criminal justice settings, and is currently working on the Lost Mothers Study Project which will explore how women and professionals involved with the criminal justice system, experience enforced separation of newborn babies. In this episode, Laura shares more about her work and how her research is paving the way for policy changes to improve outcomes for pregnant women in the justice system. Learn more about the Lost Mothers Project: https://lostmothers.org/Explore Laura's research: https://researchprofiles.herts.ac.uk/en/persons/laura-abbott/projects/Find Laura on Twitter @midwifeteacher Please note this episode contains discussion of traumatic births and infant mortality that some listeners may find upsetting In our next episode, we will be continuing the exploration of pregnancy and birth in the justice system. We'll be delving deeper into some of the data and hearing from Suzy*, who has lived experience of pregnancy in prison, and works with Laura on the Lost Mother's Project team. *Not her real nameRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's episode, Edwina explores what rights mothers in the justice system have. She speaks to Kate Lill, Women Prisoners Caseworker at the Prisoners' Advice Service, whose role involves providing free legal advice to women in prison, and making sure they are able to assert their rights. Prisoners' Advice Service (PAS) are a charity providing free legal advice to those in prison. They run a dedicated freephone number for women in prison providing them with advice on a range of matters including Family Law. One of their desired outcomes of their work with women is that, even though they are imprisoned, mothers are able to assert their legal rights in relation to their children and engage effectively in Family Law proceedings. In this episode, Kate explains some of the challenges she helps women navigate, and highlights how the lack of information offered to women around their rights as a mother is having devastating implications for them and their children. To learn more about the work of PAS follow them on Twitter @PrisonersAdviceOr visit their website www.prisonersadvice.org.ukIf you are in prison and need legal advice, please find PAS contact information here: www.prisonersadvice.org.uk/about/how-we-do-it/Read more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this first episode in our series exploring motherhood in the justice system, Edwina sat down with Lilly Lewis, Women's Involvement Advisor at One Small Thing, to discuss some of the key issues and challenges facing mothers in the justice system. Lilly is a survivor and campaigner on Domestic Abuse who started her campaigning work whilst in prison. After being sentenced in 2016 to 8 years in prison, she began to work with APPEAL as a Women's Justice Ambassador. Lilly also works at WHAG supporting young women at risk of homelessness. In her role at One Small Thing, Lilly ensures the voices of women affected by the justice system are included across our work, and writes a regular blog for us. In this episode, Edwina and Lilly reflect on what has led them both to dedicate their time to advocating for changes to improve the outcomes for women in the justice system, and their children. We will also be hearing excerpts from a range of past expert contributors to the JUSTICE podcast on this topic. In this upcoming series of JUSTICE we will be delving deeper into the issues discussed in this episode, and speaking to expert guests each week to further shed light on the challenges mothers face in the justice system – and what we could be doing differently. Read Lilly's blog https://onesmallthing.org.uk/blogRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Introducing our new series of JUSTICE where we will explore the experiences of mothers in the justice system - from women who enter prison pregnant and give birth inside, to those who are separated from their children through imprisonment and involvement from social services. With those working on the front line, and those with lived experience, this series sheds light on the untold stories of mothers in the justice system, and their children. Each episode Edwina will be speaking to expert guests and exploring what needs to change. Our series on Motherhood in the Justice System will be out this Spring. To keep up to date with all the latest episode releases subscribe to JUSTICE, and follow us on Twitter @OSTCharity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week Edwina speaks Joy Doal, CEO of Anawim, Birmingham's Centre for Women. Anawim is an award-winning Women's Centre with over 30 years' experience. They provide support, advocacy and campaign on a local and national level. Anawim's mission is to help women from all backgrounds and communities in and around Birmingham to get the support they deserve. They provide a tailored package of support for women through a variety of one-to-one interventions, courses, counselling and opportunities, in person at their centres as well as online. Anawim's approach is to help women understand the impact of their trauma and begin the healing process by overcoming obstacles and learning how to move forward to a brighter future for themselves and their families. Anawim also run Dawn House, a safe, secure and trauma-responsive residential centre for women leaving prison. With support from The Jabbs Foundation they have recently published a report on learning from the first 5 years that can be accessed here. Learn more about Anawim by visiting their website https://anawim.co.uk/ and follow them of Twitter @Anawim_BCW.Read more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Please note, this episode contains descriptions of conditions in prison including suicide that some listeners may find distressing.In this week's episode, Edwina speaks to Michael Spurr, the former Chief Executive of His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS). Starting out as a Prison Officer in HMP Leeds in 1983, Michael has occupied a variety of roles in prisons and probation, including serving as Chief Executive of HMPPS from 2010-2019. In this wide-ranging conversation, Michael reflects on his 36 years working in the justice system – from the appalling conditions he witnessed in the 80's and 90's, to the changes that have transformed the justice system into what we recognise today. Edwina and Michael also discuss the impact of ministerial flux on those working in the justice system, and what he wants the future of HMPPS to look like.Read more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week Edwina speaks to Sarah Dangar, CEO of Ahimsa. Ahimsa is a Plymouth based charity that challenges and supports perpetrators of abuse to cease their violent and abusive behaviour. They deliver one on one support and group programmes for male perpetrators of abuse, supporting their behaviour change and preventing future incidences of domestic abuse.In this episode, Sarah shares more about how Ahimsa works with individuals and families, and reflects on the opportunities and challenges of delivering this difficult work. Having a background in supporting victims and survivors of abuse, Sarah speaks about how she came to work with perpetrators, and why she believes it's vital if we want to protect more families from the devastating effects of domestic abuse.Learn more about Ahimsa by visiting their website www.ahimsa.org.uk and follow them of Twitter @Ahimsa_charity.Read more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's episode Edwina explores the often unspoken impact of menopause on women's lives. Despite the fact that 51% of the population will experience menopause, and the estimated 13 million people who are currently peri or menopausal in the UK, this topic has remained taboo. Edwina speaks to two advocates driving change in the national conversation around menopause on their experience of this transition, and what needs to change to ensure more women have access to the support they need – including those in the justice system. Edwina's first guest is Davina McCall, renowned TV presenter and household name. As well as presenting shows such as Big Brother and The Million Pound Drop, Davina has presented documentaries exploring the Menopause. She is also the author of Menopausing, The Positive Roadmap to Your Second Spring which seeks to debunk myths, and breaks the shameful silence over the menopause. Edwina's second guest is Carolyn Harris, MP for Swansea East who established and now chairs the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on menopause. Carolyn has played a pivotal role in putting menopause on the national agenda, and has recently published an inquiry into the impacts of Menopause on women and families as part of her work for the APPG on menopause. More information: Read the APPG on Menopause Inquiry to assess the impacts of menopause and the case for policy reform: https://menopause-appg.co.uk/inquiry/ Order Menopausing, The Positive Roadmap to Your Second Spring, by Davina McCall and Dr. Naomi Potter: https://www.waterstones.com/book/menopausing/davina-mccall/dr-naomi-potter/9780008517786 Follow Carolyn Harris on Twitter @carolynharris24 Follow Davina McCall on Twitter @ThisisDavinaRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Please note this episode contains descriptions of treatment of women in prison including sexual threat and abuse that some listeners may find distressing.Edwina speaks to Sandra Barefoot, Raushia Coles, Siobhan Jackson and Ruth Chitty from The Forgiveness Project. The Forgiveness Project works with people who have rebuilt their lives following hurt and trauma to explore what it takes to heal, restore and rehumanise. In this episode they discuss their new research on the importance of understanding the impact of shame. They explore Shame Resilience Theory (SRT) and its potential for understanding how shame affects the behaviours of women with lived experience of imprisonment. They highlight how very little research had been undertaken on the connection between shame, violence and aggression with women, especially in comparison to the wealth of research available on men. The research, funded by the Griffins Society, is based on years delivering the RESTORE programme in prisons, and with women over the last 8 years. They suggest the motivation for this research came from a realisation that shame was the missing piece within the lens of working with anyone who has experienced trauma. You can access a summary of the research here. Find out more about the Forgiveness Project at https://theforgivenessproject.comFollow The Forgiveness Project on Twitter @ForgivenessProj Read more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Please note this episode contains discussion on domestic abuse and sexual assault.This week Edwina looks at justice through a literary lens by speaking to Harriet Still, the curator of Thomas Hardy's Wessex exhibition. In this episode Harriet explores one of Hardy's most famous works, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, and highlights how this novel sparked conversations around the world on violence against women, consent, and justice. Influenced by his experience at 16 of witnessing the execution of a woman found guilty of murdering her abusive husband, Hardy brought his feelings on this injustice to the writing of Tess. Edwina and Harriet reflect on how radical a character like Tess was in 1851 when the novel was published, and how her treatment can speak to the experiences of women today, including those in the justice system. Hardy's Wessex, The landscapes that inspired a writer is open until 30th October. Visit the Wessex Museum's website for more information: www.wessexmuseums.org.uk/what-we-do/exhibitions-events/thomas-hardy-exhibition/ Follow Wessex Museums on Twitter @WessexMuseumsRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's episode, Edwina focuses on the UK's criminal record system. She speaks to two supporters of the Fair Checks campaign led by Transform Justice and Unlock, which is calling for a fresh start to the UK's outdated criminal records system. Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin, discusses why no one should be judged by their worst moment, and the commitment of Virgin companies around the world to offering employment opportunities for those with a criminal record. As well as building Virgin from the ground up, Richard has spent his life speaking up globally about the issues he is passionate about, including ending the failed war on drugs, and abolishing the death penalty. Paula Harriott, Head of Prisoner Involvement at Prison Reform Trust then speaks from first-hand experience about the adverse impact excessive criminal record checks can have, and why she supports the Fair Checks campaign. Paula has huge insight into the impact current legislation has on the ground through her work supporting those with experience of prison to have their voices heard, including through the national Prisoner Policy Network. To find out more about the Fair Checks Campaign visit www.fairchecks.org.uk.Read more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week Edwina speaks to Natasha Finlayson, Chief Executive of Working Chance. Working Chance is the UK's only employment charity solely for women with convictions. In this episode Natasha explains the support they provide to women and the impressive outcomes they achieve, including 90% of women using their employment service securing a job. Natasha also outlines recent research by Working Chance which shows just how much stigma still exists from employers towards people with past convictions, and their important work to tackle this. Working Chance also work with policymakers, politicians and employers to share knowledge about what helps women with convictions to secure employment, and to dismantle the systems and barriers that hold them back. You can find out more about Working Chance here: https://workingchance.org/ Follow Working Chance on Twitter @WorkingChanceTwitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week Edwina speaks to Charlie Taylor, Chief Inspector of Prisons. Independent from Government, the role of Chief Inspector of Prisons reports directly to the Secretary of State for Justice on the conditions in prisons and detention centres, and the treatment of those inside them. In this episode Charlie explains more about what his role entails, and why independence from Government is so important. He also reflects on the challenges and issues raised in his recently published annual report such as long lock up times, issues with staff recruitment and retention, and concerns for the wellbeing of women in prison. You can read Charlie's latest Annual Report here: www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/inspections/annual-report-2021-22/ You can find out more about the work of HM Inspectorate of Prisons here: www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/ Follow HM Inspectorate of Prisons on Twitter @HMIPrisonsnewsRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Please note this episode contains discussion of traumatic births and infant mortality that some listeners may find upsetting.In this week's episode, Edwina speaks to Naomi Delap, Director of Birth Companions, and Sam who is part of their Lived Experience Team. Birth Companions is a women's charity dedicated to tackling inequalities and disadvantage during pregnancy, birth and early motherhood. Founded in 1996 to support pregnant women and new mothers in Holloway Prison, they've become experts in meeting the needs of women living in the most challenging situations in prison and in the community. In this episode Sam and Naomi shed light on the experience of pregnancy and birth in the criminal justice system, and what needs to change to improve the lives of women and babies who experience inequality and disadvantage. You can find out more about Birth Companions here: www.birthcompanions.org.ukFollow them on Twitter @BrthCompanionsRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this week's episode, Edwina speaks to Sofia Buncy MBE, the pioneering Founder and Director of the multi-award-winning Muslim Women in Prison Project. Established in 2013 to document and research the experiences of Muslim women in criminal justice system, the project delivers a community-based culturally appropriate service for Muslim women returning to communities. In this episode, Sofia sheds light on the challenges these women face, and shares how her ground-breaking project is giving voice to the experiences of Muslim women in the criminal justice system. Follow Sofia and the work of the Muslim Women in Prison Project on Twitter @MWIPproject See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this week's episode, Edwina speaks to Sarah Beresford, Prison Reform Trust Associate and Churchill Fellow. Sarah is also the author of ‘What about me?', a report which explores how children's lives are impacted when their mothers are involved in the criminal justice system. In this episode Sarah describes how children are so often invisible to decisionmakers, and explains how her recently developed Child Impact Assessment can equip adults and services to listen more closely to the needs of those with mothers in the criminal justice system. You can read more about why Sarah feels Child Impact Assessments are so important in this blog, and there is further information about Sarah's project here. Follow the Prison Reform Trust on Twitter @PRTuk and the Churchill Fellowship @ChurchillFship.Read more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this week's Justice episode, Edwina speaks to Professor Taj Nathan, a consultant forensic psychiatrist for the NHS. He holds honorary academic posts at the University of Liverpool, University of Chester and Liverpool John Moores University, and provides independent expert opinion to courts in England and Wales. Taj is also the author of Dangerous Minds: A Forensic Psychiatrist's Quest to Understand Violence. Taking us from secure hospital wards to high-security prisons to courtrooms, Dangerous Minds offers compelling and deeply compassionate accounts of ten people whose lives have been shaped by violence, and asks its readers to re-evaluate all that they think they know about the people society deems most dangerous. In this episode, Taj discusses the origins of his book, and sheds light on the complexity of working in the field of forensic psychiatry. To learn more about the work of Professor Taj Nathan:www1.chester.ac.uk/departments/chester-medical-school/staff/taj-nathanTo learn more about Dangerous Minds:www.curtisbrown.co.uk/client/taj-nathanFollow Dr Taj Nathan on Twitter: @tajnathanRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode Edwina speaks to Hannah Shead, the CEO of Trevi. Operating since 1993, Trevi is an award-winning women's charity in Devon. Their mission is to provide safe and nurturing spaces where women in recovery can heal, grow and thrive. Set up to support women experiencing alcohol and drug misuse issues and their children, Trevi runs the only UK residential rehabilitation centre exclusively for mothers and their children. In the 27 years they have been operating, they have helped transform the lives of thousands of women and their children. Hannah discusses Trevi's beginnings, and shares how the charity has continued to develop to meet the needs of women in their community. To learn more about the work of Trevi:www.trevi.org.ukFollow on Twitter: @TreviWomenRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode I speak to Peter Sullivan from the organisation Chess in Schools and Communities who facilitates chess clubs in Wandsworth prison and has recently been expanding this to the women's prison estate.Peter also trained and organised the England team that participated in the World Prison Chess Championship. 43 teams from 31 countries took part in the competition and England scored a huge 19/20 in the preliminaries and finished 7th in the final stages, read more here.Peter discusses how chess can be a therapeutic activity, create a calm environment and bring staff and residents together. To learn more about the work of the Chess in Schools and Communities see: https://www.chessinschools.co.uk/Follow on Twitter: @schoolschessRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Please note this episode contains discussion on domestic abuse, including fatal domestic abuse, that some listeners may find distressing.In this episode Edwina speaks to Nicole Jacobs, the first Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales. Nicole explains her statutory powers, as set out in the Domestic Abuse Bill, to raise public awareness and hold both agencies and government to account in tackling domestic abuse. Listen to Nicole describe her important work to shine a light on good practice and the practices that fall short, to end the postcode lottery of domestic abuse services in England and Wales. Nicole outlines a range of initiatives she is working on with her team, including improving the response of Family Courtsto Domestic Abuse. To learn more about the work of the Domestic Abuse Commissioner see: https://domesticabusecommissioner.uk/Follow Nicole on Twitter: @CommissionerDARead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion on child sexual abuse and other forms of sexual offending. In this episode Edwina speaks to Riana Taylor, CEO of Circles UK, who are the national organisation which oversees Circles of Support and Accountability (Circles), an innovative model that uses groups of volunteers in the community, working alongside criminal justice agencies to reduce sexual offending. Riana explains that a Circle of Support and Accountability is a group of trained volunteers from a local community that provides a social network to someone who has committed sexual offences or engaged in harmful sexual behaviour, whilst also requiring them to take responsibility for their own ongoing risk management. The Circle can also provide practical guidance in things such as developing social skills and finding suitable accommodation. In so doing the Circle serves to reduce the risk of reoffending associated with social exclusion and the attendant risk of harm to existing and potential victims and survivors. To learn more about the important work of Circles UK and the network of Circles Providers see: https://circles-uk.org.uk/ Follow Circles UK on Twitter: @CirclesUkRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode Edwina speaks to Sue McAllister, Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. Sue explains her work to carry out independent investigations that aim to make custody and community supervision safer and fairer. Sue talks about her important work, including recent high-profile reports on the deaths of babies in custody. She outlines how she has developed the work of the Ombudsman during her time in post, including a focus on increasing the impact of investigations, and making sure changes are made as a result of the work of her team. Follow Sue McAllister and the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman on twitter: @sue1mcallister @PPOmbudsmanRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode Edwina speaks to Pavan Dhaliwal CEO of Revolving Doors Agency who work to end the revolving door of crisis and crime. The organisation creates and shares research, influences policy and evaluates services, making sure the voices of those with lived experience are central to their work. Pavan explains their belief that justice system reform cannot be achieved without the voices of those who have had direct experience of the system themselves. Examples discussed in the podcast include their New Generation Campaigners - young people who designed and led their own campaign called ‘Divert don't arrest' calling for police reform. Follow Revolving Doors Agency on Twitter: @RevDoorsRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode Edwina speaks to Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and National Lead for Victims for the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners. Donna talks us through her work to hold local criminal justice partners to account and ensure delivery of Hampshire's Policing and Crime Plan. Donna outlines important areas of her work including tacking Violence against Women and Girls and crime prevention work with children and young people. Follow Donna Jones on Twitter: @HantsPCC @DonnaJonesPCCRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, Edwina talks to The Right Reverend Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester, the first female diocesan bishop in the Church of England. We talk about her role as Anglican Bishop for HM Prisons and her important work in the House of Lords, raising the need for justice system reform, particularly for women. Listen as Bishop Rachel describes her unique role, and the insights she has gained into many areas of the justice system that inform her passion for advocating for change.Follow Bishop Rachel on Twitter: @BishGloucesterRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Please note this episode discusses harm towards children that some listeners may find distressing.In this episode, Edwina talks to Mark Bramah, Director of Corporate Safeguarding and Chair for Hampshire Children's Services about what safeguarding really is and why we need it. He highlights particular gaps in child safeguarding in the business environment. Mark unpacks complex language associated with safeguarding to help us better understand its importance. Edwina and Mark talk about how the internet and social media have affected children's safety and changes we can make to ensure children are better protected.Read more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this final episode of the JUSTICE Podcast for 2021, Edwina talks to Dr Simon Fox, Head of Law at Solent University and Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Legal Education. Simon talks about what it means to study criminology and compares varied approaches to criminology and the context of crime across different countries.If anyone is interested in a career in criminology or law, please get in touch with Dr Simon Fox as he is happy to discuss this.Read more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Please note this episode contains description of reporting on issues such as rape and cruelty to children that some listeners may find distressing.In this episode, Edwina talks to Danny Shaw, Head of Strategy and Insight at Crest Advisory and previously Home Affairs Correspondent at the BBC. Danny shares what it really means to cover court cases where people's lives hang in the balance and the need to be very careful not to prejudice the proceedings. Listen as Danny talks about the challenges of reporting on prisons, a place which the public do not really understand nor have access to, and the importance of self-care when reporting on difficult issues.Follow Danny on Twitter: @DannyShawNewsRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, Edwina talks to a panel comprising of Jamie Morrell, Communications and Engagement Officer at the Criminal Justice Alliance, David Cohen, Campaigns and Investigations Editor at the Evening Standard and the Independent, and Jodie Jackson, Journalist and author researching the impact of the news on mental health. Edwina speaks to the panel about the notion of responsible journalism in the context of criminal justice as they break down what the role of journalism is, and the different types of reporting, such as solutions-focused journalism. The Criminal Justice Alliance's Report, launched today, highlights how reporting can be improved, including best practice when hearing from people with lived experience of the justice system. Read the report hereFollow the panel on Twitter: @jmorrell_ @cjalliance @JacksonJodie21 @cohenstandardRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, Edwina talks to Gethin Jones, founder of Unlocking Potential and inspirational speaker, trainer and coach. He talks about how the justice system has been a part of his whole life and drawing on his own experiences of prison, Gethin now dedicates his time to reforming the justice system and making it fit for purpose. Gethin shares that a prison under his leadership would place a strong emphasis on human-to-human relationships, have a real community feel and give people in prison a sense of ownership. Follow Gethin on Twitter: @GethinUnlocksRead more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, Edwina talks to Sandra Fieldhouse, team leader at Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons, who lead on inspecting all prisons and Young Offender Institutions in England and Wales and jointly inspect Secure Training Centres with Ofsted.Sandra talks about the important role of the Inspectorate in providing independent, additional scrutiny and raising the bar for prisons. She shares the need for different strategies for the female and male estate which recognise the complex needs and experiences of women in the justice system. Listen as Sandra walks us through her professional journey through the justice system to team leader at the Inspectorate. Read HM Inspectorate of Prisons Report “What happens to prisoners in a pandemic?”Read more about the One Small Thing charity here.Twitter - @OSTCharityThis podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.