Podcasts about penal reform

Graeme Raubenheimer is joined by Nabeelah Mia, Head of the Penal Reform and Detention Monitoring Programme at Lawyers for Human Rights, to unpack the Constitutional Court’s landmark ruling that prisoners must be allowed to use personal laptops in their cells for study purposes.  Afternoon Drive with John Maytham is the late afternoon show on CapeTalk. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, in an attempt to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live – Afternoon Drive with John Maytham is broadcast weekdays between 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) https://www.primediaplus.com/station/capetalk Find all the catch-up podcasts here https://www.primediaplus.com/capetalk/afternoon-drive-with-john-maytham/audio-podcasts/afternoon-drive-with-john-maytham/ Subscribe to the CapeTalk daily and weekly newsletters https://www.primediaplus.com/competitions/newsletter-subscription/ Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CapeTalk   CapeTalk on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@capetalk   CapeTalk on Instagram: www.instagram.com/capetalkza  CapeTalk on X: www.x.com/CapeTalk  CapeTalk on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EDITORIAL: A promising path to penal reform | February 19, 2025Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net Follow us: Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital Check out our Podcasts: Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcherTune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein #TheManilaTimes#VoiceOfTheTimes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tonight on The Panel, Wallace Chapman and panellists Cindy Mitchner & Mike Williams discuss two new political polls out yesterday which showed the left block has the numbers to form a government if an election was held today. Plus we get an explainer on how the USA's new aluminium and steel tariffs will effect us. Cindy Mitchener is an executive Director of recruitment company Mitchener & Associates. Mike Williams is a former Labour Party president and CEO for The New Zealand Howard League for Penal Reform.

Does prison work? Clearly it protects us from people who've shown a willingness to harm fellow citizens; and it acts as a deterrent to people who might be thinking about committing a crime. It's less successful in rehabilitation of offenders though and Andrew Neilson from the Howard League for Penal Reform believes that in some cases more effective and lower cost alternatives are available. Surely half an hour listening to Agenda would be enough to soften the hardest of criminal hearts?

Social media influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan are facing charges in Romania of human trafficking and organised crime. If found guilty, they could be jailed for more than 10 years. They strongly deny the charges against them. Now, two British women not involved with the Romanian case, have given detailed first-hand accounts to the BBC, against Andrew Tate, of alleged rape and sexual violence. The allegations date back at least 10 years, to when Mr Tate was living in Luton. BBC Panorama reporter Ruth Clegg joins Nuala McGovern to discuss. Tracy-Ann Oberman has reprised her role as Eastenders' Chrissie Watts. She talks to Nuala about stepping back into this character after almost two decades, and her recent adaptation of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. In it, Tracy-Ann plays a female version of the Jewish character, Shylock, and sets the action in 1930s London during the rise of Oswald Mosley, the antisemitic founder of the British Union of Fascists.Around 1,700 prisoners will be freed tomorrow when the government's new early release scheme, SDS40, comes in to effect. We look at both the impact that this scheme will have on women who have been the victims of crime and the experiences of women in prison. Nuala speaks to Andrea Coomber KC, Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform which campaigns for prison reform.Rebecca Middleton was in her late 30s when she was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. It is a condition that's believed to be more common in women than men and in Rebecca's case it was hereditary – she lost her grandmother and mother to the condition, which is what led to her own genetic testing. Rebecca has since had successful surgery to remove the aneurysm and has also created the charity, Hereditary Brain Aneurysm Support to help other people going through it. In Paris, pouring rain and exploding fireworks ended the Paralympics last night with drenched, dancing Paralympians. Nuala is joined by Paralympian turned broadcaster, Rachael Latham to talk about the standouts, surprises and legacy of the Games.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Maryam Maruf Studio Manager: Bob Nettles

Within days of winning the general election, Keir Starmer has had to respond to what is undoubtedly a crisis – perhaps even an emergency – in prisons across England and Wales.  The equation is a simple one. Too many prisoners, not enough prison places. More prisons are being planned. But even this won't keep track of the expected rise in prisoner numbers. So how on earth was this allowed to happen? Who is to blame?And has the Labour government come up with a sensible plan to fix the problem – or just a short term sticking plaster? Ken Macdonald, crossbench peer, former Director of Public Prosecutions and president of the Howard League for Penal Reform, joins Anand and Hannah to examine one of the biggest headaches facing the new government. Produced by Milo Hynes. -------- THE EXPERT FACTOR: Each week the directors of three leading and respected think tanks – Paul Johnson of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, Hannah White of the Institute for Government, and Anand Menon of UK in a Changing Europe – get together to discuss, explore and explain the big questions and policy challenges that will be faced by the Labour government, dominate debate in Westminster and beyond, and shape the political landscape for years to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following a Court of Appeal ruling this week about a case referred to the senior judges by the Attorney General, those charged with criminal damage for actions like throwing red paint at a building as a protest, can no longer use a certain defence to be acquitted. Parliament had intended the defence for different circumstances. Protesters used to be able to claim that had the owners of the damaged property known of the reasons for the damage, such as to highlight climate change, they'd have agreed to it. The Attorney General, Victoria Prentis KC MP speaks exclusively to Joshua Rozenberg about what this victory means. Prisons are almost full, and to help make room, the Justice Secretary Alex Chalk KC MP has announced that prisoners meeting certain criteria can be released up to two months early. Prison campaigners must be pleased, or are they? Andrea Coomber KC (hon), chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, has a more mixed reaction. How are prisons in England and Wales dealing with inmates with severe mental health needs? Independent Monitoring Boards (IMB), which are often called the eyes and ears of the public in prison, believe that too often prisons rely upon tough segregation units to manage inmates with mental health needs. IMB volunteers share their observations, and Elisabeth Davies, IMB National Chair, calls for a faster transfer to secure hospital units instead. Awaab Ishak was aged just two when he died as a direct result of exposure to mould in the home his family rented from Rochdale Boroughwide Housing. The coroner issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report as a result, but it was only following a campaign by Awaab's parents and others that the law was changed. Awaab's Law, as it's being called, will specify the timeframes within which social landlords have to respond to complaints of mould. We hear from barrister Christian Weaver of Garden Court North, who represented Awaab's family.Presenter: Joshua Rozenberg Producer: Arlene Gregorius Researcher: Diane Richardson Editor: Clare Fordham Production coordinator: Katie Morrison

E65 The Fifth Court Saoirse Brady, Executive Director of the Irish Penal Reform Trust, joins Peter Leonard BL and Mark Tottenham BL, to talk all things prisons related (including the problems caused by mental health issues in jails - a very, very big problem according to Saoirse). Interestingly, research from Maynooth University is showing that a big majority (9 out of 10) of employers are willing to give ex-prisoners a chance in the workplace, something that may surprise.On the date of recording the Irish Prison System was at 107% capacity.Her recommendations for a book include 'Poor' by Katriona O'Sullivan and 'Just Mercy' by Bryan StevensonAnd, as always, our interlocutors interrogate some recent high profile legal cases from the Decisis.ie casebook:The first case concerns the cost of judicial review where the respondent was a solicitor.The second case concerns fixed penalty notices given out by An Garda Síochána during the Covid lockdownThe third case, in the name of the fada, is about the use of the 'síne fada' (or as Google likes to describe it, 'the long extension'), on websites. A case for the Data Protection Commission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New research published today from the Irish Penal Reform Trust shows barriers remain for people with a history of convictions to finding work. Saoirse Brady, Executive Director of the IPRT and Damien Quinn founder of Spéire Nua which helps people with past convictions in starting over.

The Government has already ruled out granting voting rights to all prisoners, following the release of the Independent Electoral Review final report. The panel made 143 recommendations, one of which was allowing all prisoners to vote and stand in elections, regardless of how long their sentence is. Since 2020, those sentenced to less than three years in prison have again been allowed to vote, after the National Party revoked that right in 2010. President of the Canterbury Howard League for Penal Reform, Cosmo Jeffrey, spoke to Ben Strang.

The IPP sentence has created a sense of hopelessness amongst prisoners, leading to poor mental health, self-harm and numerous suicides, so we are ending this series by asking ‘what does hope look like' for IPP serving prisoners? Sam asks this question to some of the many people who are campaigning to bring an end to this grievous injustice: including Andrea Coomber, from the Howard League for Penal Reform; Richard Garside from the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies; Simon Hattenstone from the Guardian and Elisabeth Davies from the Independent Monitoring Boards. We also hear from Frank, an IPP serving prisoner, who has been inside for 15 years and counting, on a two-and-a-half-year tariff. Get in touch on X, TikTok, Facebook or Instagram @Trapped_PodFor more info about UNGRIPP visit: www.ungripp.com / @UNGRIPPww.ippcommitteeinaction.com / X @ActionIPPContributors in order of appearance:Frank, IPP serving prisonerLord David BlunkettAndrea Coomber, Chief Executive, The Howard League for Penal ReformHank Rossi, campaigner and activistSimon Hattenstone, Journalist, The GuardianRichard Garside, Director of Centre for Crime and Justice StudiesElizabeth Davies, National Chair of the Independent Monitoring BoardsLorna Hackett, Barrister at Hackett and Dabbs LLP and a tenant at Millennium ChambersAlexander Horne, Barrister and visiting Professor at Durham UniversityVoices in Archive:Edward Argar MP, Minister of State for Prisons, Parole and ProbationSir Bob Neil MP, Chair of the Justice Select CommitteeKevin Brennan MP, Shadow Minister for Victims and SentencingJohn Mcdonnell MPDr Alice Edwards, UN Special Rapporteur on TortureCredits:Reporter: Samantha Asumadu @SamanthaAsumaduExecutive Producer: Melissa FitzGerald @melissafitzgProducer: Steve Langridge @SMLANGERSConsultant: Hank RossiA Zinc Media Production for the Institute of Now Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Gauke, former Justice Secretary, Victoria Gethin, head of family law at Stephensons, Rob Preece from the Howard League for Penal Reform, and Richard Atkinson, vice president of the Law Society, join PoliticsHome's Alain Tolhurst to discuss the crisis in the UK's justice system, with huge backlogs in crown and civil courts, a chronic lack of lawyers and judges, along with overcrowded and under-staffed prisons. Presented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton for Podot, edited by Laura Silver

Molly Joyce, Acting Executive Director, Irish Penal Reform Trust

Traders in Ashford are worried the closure of a car park could lead to anti-social behaviour.The Park Mall site has been shut for essential maintenance, but council bosses have revealed it's impossible to say when it will reopen.Hear from people who work in the town.Also in today's podcast, a report's found the Met Police could be missing murders because they still hasn't learned lessons after mistakes in catching serial killer Stephen Port.He's serving a life sentence for drugging and killing four men - including 21-year-old Daniel Whitworth from Gravesend.There are calls for immediate action to improve conditions at a Young Offender Institution in Kent after an inspection found a quarter of boys in solitary confinement.Cookham Wood was visited earlier this month and a damning report out today has revealed how two teenagers had been kept on their own for more than 100 days. Hear from the Chief Inspector of Prisons, plus we have reaction from the Howard League for Penal Reform.We're being urged to take our cyber safety seriously - as part of Stalking Awareness Week.A charity set up following the death of Clare Burnal from Tunbridge Wells, who was killed by her stalker-ex, is urging young people in particular to know the signs.Bosses at a north Kent company who feared they were 'one flood away from going under' are now confident their future is secure.Over the past five years, staff at Dartford Composites were regularly having to clear water every time it rained.We've got details of everything going on in Kent this bank holiday weekend.And in sport, hear from the Gillingham manager and defender Cheye Alexander ahead of their final home game of the season against Newport County.  

This special episode features a discussion centred around our research for the Commission on Crime and Gambling Related Harms, which was launched by the the Howard League for Penal Reform.  Justine and I join Steven, from Betknowmore, to summarise and reflect on the findings from our report.  We talk about the recommendations and the way forward, as we work together to reduce harms in prison. Please check out our report here: https://howardleague.org/publications/exploring-gambling-and-its-role-within-prison-culture-you-can-be-flying-high-then-fighting/: https://howardleague.org/publications/exploring-gambling-and-its-role-within-prison-culture-you-can-be-flying-high-then-fighting/ And get in touch with us via our website: www.penalreformsolutions.com or sarah@penalreformsolutions.

At least 59 migrants, including 33 women and 12 children, have died and dozens more are feared missing after their boat sank in rough seas off southern Italy. The vessel broke apart while trying to land near Crotone on Sunday. A baby was among the dead, Italian officials said. Bodies were recovered from the beach at a nearby seaside resort in the Calabria region. Nuala speaks to Caroline Davis, BBC Pakistan Correspondent and Annalisa Camilli, journalist for Internazionale magazine in Rome. A new report from the Howard League of Penal Reform looks at the links between women, gambling and crime. They say women are being let down by a lack of awareness and action to tackle the problem by police, probation and prisons - leaving them without the support they need. Dr Julie Trebilcock, senior Lecturer in Criminology at Brunel University London, and one of the researchers on the project, joins Nuala, along with Tracey whose gambling addiction resulted in a 13 month prison sentence. We speak to author Sara Barnes, about the challenge she set herself to mark her sixtieth birthday, sixty swims with sixty different people. Today the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act comes into effect, raising the age of marriage and civil partnership to 18 in England and Wales which means 16 and 17-year-olds will no longer be able to marry or enter a civil partnership under any circumstances, including with parental or judicial consent. It's what campaigners against child marriage have worked towards for many years. We thought it would be interesting on this day of change in the marriage laws in England and Wales, to look back at the experiences of some of you who got married willingly at 16. Nuala talks to listeners Judith and Jeanette. The Taliban's severe restrictions on women's rights in the country are having a negative impact on the already struggling economy. That's the conclusion of a study by the International Crisis Group – an independent organisation that works on conflict and policy. Since women were barred from university education and work in offices, including NGO's, cuts to foreign donor funds have become more likely, as many western politicians fear their voters will not accept the idea of their taxes helping a country ruled by the Taliban. Nuala is joined now by the BBC's Zarghuna Kargar.

This episode explores some of the key topics around young people and our commitment to prevention as well as intervention.  We talk about some of the challenges around generational differences within the Criminal Justice System and suggest that drawing on our differences will bring about new insights, greater compassion and cultural change!  If you want to learn more about what we do or want to get involved please check us out on www.penalreformsolutions.com or www.growtransformbelong.com 

Ken Macdonald and Tim Owen discuss prison, parole and a relentless punishment arms race with Andrea Coomber KC, CEO of the Howard League for Penal Reform.

A mural spray painted on the side of a house in Margate has been branded an 'eyesore'. The artwork has been created as part of a trail around the town raising awareness of plastic pollution in the oceans. But neighbours aren't happy. Also in today's podcast, the home secretary has delivered her big speech at the Tory party conference. Suella Braverman explained how she planned to stop asylum seekers from crossing the Channel to Kent in small boats. We've got reaction. A report's warned staffing at a prison on Sheppey has reached "crisis point". Inspectors went to HMP Swaleside in July and found officers were exhausted, under pressure, and on the brink of resignation. We've been speaking to the Howard League for Penal Reform. The Bishop of Dover has apologised on behalf of the church after a major report into allegations of abuse was published. There haven't been any trains running in Kent today as another strike has been taking place. Drivers are walking out as part of an ongoing dispute over pay. Hear from the Aslef union. And there was another win for Gillingham last night - this time in the EFL Trophy. We've got reaction from goal scorer Lewis Walker and the assistant manager.

Many of us have lost our sense of freedom and passion for adventure, succumbing to the pressures of modern life. This is a sentiment vouched by David Haze, who has learned this as a result of his extraordinary journey.Drug addiction, alcoholism, gambling, crime and prison time took David to dark places, but the manner in which he overcame that strife serves as a lesson to all who seek purpose, direction and inspiration.David opens up on Extrology to share the highs and lows, how he's channelling his energy into paddleboarding world records, the reforms we need to make to the prison system, and much more…This episode does contain sensitive discussions around gambling, drug use, addiction and suicide. If you or anyone you know is in need of urgent help, there are resources in the links and references for this episode at: https://www.extrology.com/.Lee and David discuss:The adventurous childhood that inspired David's current expeditionsRecovering from the challenging spiral of addiction and crimePenal Reform Solutions' endeavours to rethink the UK prison system's approach to rehabilitationDavid's 7 paddleboarding world records, and upcoming global challengeThe bravery of opening up and asking for help in times of needExtrology is sponsored by Progresso Talent Partners who for more than 25 years have successfully delivered interim and permanent leadership talent to transform businesses and to hire the talent you need to enable your business to thrive: https://www.progressotalent.com/Links & references at: https://www.extrology.com/

There are calls for safety improvements on a road in Thanet after it was revealed almost 50 people have been hit by cars. Northdown Road runs through the centre of Cliftonville and people living nearby want the speed limit reduced to 20 miles-per-hour. Also in today's podcast, we have reaction after Prime Minister Boris Johnson narrowly won a confidence vote. More than a third of Conservative MPs wanted him out of the job. Hear from North Thanet's Sir Roger Gale and our political editor Paul Francis. A report seen by the KentOnline Podcast has again raised concerns about levels of violence in a youth jail in Kent. We've got reaction from the Howard League for Penal Reform. Hear from the incredible children who helped save their dad's life after he suffered a cardiac arrest at the wheel of his car. They've now been given bravery awards as he continues to recover. And find out who's signed a pro deal at Gillingham plus hear from tennis star Emma Raducanu as she gets her grass court season under way.  

A leading charity is calling for a youth jail in Kent to be closed following a damning report by inspectors. They found levels of violence at Cookham Wood Young Offender Institution in Rochester had increased since their previous visit in 2019. A report out today also revealed how boys were being kept locked in their cells for up to 22 hours a day. Hear more on the inspector's findings plus reaction from the Howard League for Penal Reform. We have also been asking if you think youth jails are the right place for young offenders - find out what some of you have had to say. Also in today's podcast, there's been another drop in the number of people out of work in Kent, despite the furlough scheme ending. New figures show 51,100 people were claiming unemployment benefits in the county last month. A specialist clinic's opening in Kent to help severely obese children, and young people who are struggling with their weight. It's one of 15 sites across England as part of a pilot programme, and will offer things like diet plans, coaching and mental health support. We've got reaction from Ashford GP Dr Jack Jacobs plus your thoughts. Find out how undercover vehicles known as 'supercabs' are being used to try and reduce the number of crashes on the M25 in Kent. Our colleagues from KMTV have been out on patrol with police to see them in action. And you can hear from the Gillingham manager ahead of tonight's FA Cup first round replay.

A Sittingbourne teenager will go on trial next January accused of trying to murder a 16-year-old girl with a physical disability   Also on today's podcast, the number of children being arrested by Kent Police has fallen by 76 per-cent over the last decade. We speak to Andrew Neilson from The Howard League for Penal Reform.   People living near a cliff that collapsed on the Isle of Sheppey say they'll keep trying to fix the problem themselves, despite being warned to stop.   And hear from Olly Murs ahead of his show at The Hop Farm next month.

The pandemic has put the justice system in England and Wales into crisis, with a massive backlog in court cases, prisons are clogged and high risk for Covid, and police saying they do not have the resources for the increasing demands being placed on them. Frances Crook, CEO of the Howard League for Penal Reform tells Bloomberg Westminster's Yuan Potts and Roger Hearing the prison system is under huge pressure, much of it dating from before Covid, but the arrival of fewer prisoners now could offer an opportunity to ease that pressure. Alex Mayes from the charity Victim Support joins to discuss the frustration of those facing long backlogs in court cases and unable to get justice or move on with their lives. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

In this informal and wide ranging conversation Shadd explains what is meant by desistance and how this is distinguished from the term rehabilitation. With great warmth he thinks about the importance of listening, whether as a mentor or mentee and givies his assessment of the structure of forensic psychology Shadd Maruna is Professor of Criminology at Queen's University Belfast and a member of the Correctional Services Accreditation and Advice Panel.  He has previously held the post of Dean of Rutger's School of Criminal Justice in the USA and worked at Cambridge and Manchester Universities.    His research focuses on desistance and the implications for reintegration into society after imprisonment.  In 2001, his book, “Making Good: How ex-convicts reform and rebuild their lives” was named as outstanding contribution to Criminology in 2001.    He has since authored or edited 6 other books and has won the Hans Mattick Award for distinguished contribution to criminology in 2014 and the inaugural research medal from the Howard League for Penal Reform in 2012 for his research's impact on real world practice.    He has been a SOROS Justice fellow, a Fulbright Scholar and a Guggenheim Fellow.  He has also been involved in several Learning Together partnerships between prisons and universities and is an advisor to several organisations that advocate for rights for people who've previously been imprisoned. Shadd was a long term friend and colleague of Hans Toch, Austrian American social psychologist and criminologist.  Shadd said Hans 'was my mentor for my whole professional career. And my role model as a scholar. He lived a great life.  To 91. He called em like he saw em and he wasn't afraid.' As Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the School of Criminal Justice at the University at Albany, New York Professor Toch had an enormous influence on numerous people in the criminal justice field over many years. We are just receiving news of his recent death and will post when we know more.  

This week we are joined by Noel Moran, business manager at Penal Reform Solutions  AND founder of Noela Yoga!  Learn all about his incredible journey from a life sentence to motivational speaker, program designer and so much more! Noel has created a unique 10-week mindfulness based program (Noela Yoga), adopting and integrating the principles of growth through creative visualizations, meditation and positive affirmations.  Get ready to be inspired!! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw1d_twLd7CdnDgS7amNpuQ    

Richard Oerton is a lawyer and author.  His legal career involved working in private practice, in legal publishing, at the Law Commission, in the Treasury, and as a consultant with Solicitors and Parliamentary Agents in Westminster, the political centre of the UK. He's been a member of the Howard League for Penal Reform for well over half a century and has agitated against capital punishment and for the legalisation of homosexual behaviour.  In addition to legal textbooks, he is the author of two wonderful books on the topic of free will; The Nonsense of Free Will and The Cruelty of Free Will. Today we talk about why free will is both a false idea and a harmful one.  We kept the conversation short and to the point and I’ve added 10 minutes of my own reflections at the end.

Penal Reform after Waikeria Prison disturbances - Kim Workman(of Ngati Kahungunu and Rangitaane descent) is a retired public servant, roles in the Police, the Office of the Ombudsman, State Services Commission, Department of Maori Affairs.He was Head of the Prison Service from 1989 – 1993. In 2005, Kim was the joint recipient (with Jackie Katounas) of the International Prize for Restorative Justice.In 2006 Kim joined with Major Campbell Roberts of the Salvation Army, to launch the “Rethinking Crime and Punishment” Strategy. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin www.oar.org.nz

Mike Williams of the Howard League for Penal Reform shares his thoughts with The Panel.

Professor Neil Chakraborti chats to Omar about his career in Criminology and Hate Crime Studies. They discuss recent 'trigger events' that have caused increases in hate crimes and the intersection between academic study and real-world impact: how universities can work more closely with practitioners. Neil's new book, co-authored with Stevie-Jade Hardy Blood, Threats and Fears: The Hidden Worlds of Hate Crime Victims is also discussed as an example of working in an accessible way. Neil Chakraborti is a Professor of Criminology, Head of School and Director of the Centre for Hate Studies at the University of Leicester. He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications within the field of hate crime and has been commissioned by numerous funding bodies to lead research studies which have shaped hate crime policy and scholarship. He is series editor of Palgrave Hate Studies; Chair of the Research Advisory Group at the Howard League for Penal Reform; and sits on the Advisory Boards of Tell MAMA, the International Network for Hate Studies and the British Society of Criminology Hate Crime Network. Prof. Neil Chakraborti | @NeilChakraborti | University of Leicester | Centre for Hate Studies Omar Phoenix Khan | @OmarPKhan | @Justice_Focus | https://www.justicefocus.org/

Dr Sarah Lewis is the Director of Penal Reform Solutions, a unique organisation that provides consultancy, training and programmes in Growth, with consultants who have experience as practitioners, academic and people with lived experience. Dr Sarah Lewis worked within psychological interventions in Probation from 2004 before moving to the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, where she trained Probation Officers and taught Criminology, Penology and Criminal Psychology. Dr Sarah Lewis is currently a Senior Consultant for the Council of Europe and actively promotes the need for a Growth Movement, to make prisons, correctional services and communities safe, meaningful and transformative.

The mental health charity, Mind is calling for the government to publish their White Paper on the Mental Health Act. They have been pushing for reforms so that fewer black people who are disproportionately represented, are sectioned and those that are sectioned treated with more dignity. So why is it that despite being among the top demographics to be diagnosed and four times more likely to be sectioned, the therapeutic space isn’t tailored towards black communities, and black women and girls in particular are left hanging in the balance? Jenni is joined by Sophie Corlett of Mind, producer Tobi Kyeremateng, the psychotherapist Dawn Estefan and Jahnine Davis a PhD researcher and Co-founder of Listen Up Research Company. The size of women’s pension pots appears to have fallen three times as much as men’s during the Coronavirus pandemic according to Profile Pensions, an impartial pensions advisor. Why is this and what can women do to ensure they have enough to live on when they retire? Jenni speaks to Baroness Ros Altmann, former Pensions Minister and to Romi Savova, Founder and Chief Executive of PensionBee. Natasha Gregson Wagner is the daughter of the American actress Natalie Wood, who began her career in film as a child actor and successfully transitioned to young adult roles. She was the recipient of four Golden Globes, and received three Academy Award nominations, and is best remembered for films including Splendour in the Grass, West Side Story and Gypsy. Natalie died suddenly by drowning off Catalina Island at the age of 43. Natasha has now produced a documentary and written the memoir More Than Love, An Intimate Portrait of My Mother, in which she describes their relationship and coming to terms with her grief, amid rumours and tabloid speculation surrounding her mother’s death. And a new report by The Howard League for Penal Reform is calling for major changes in the way that the courts make decisions about remanding women to prison in England and Wales. This is an area of the criminal justice system that they say has been overlooked. Jenni is joined by Dr Miranda Bevan, policy associate at the Howard League for Penal Reform and Val Castell, Chair of the Magistrates Association’s Adult Court Committee.

Even the Prison Officers Association say that the majority of prisoners should not be locked up in prison. But what would calling for the abolition of prisons mean now? What does justice mean for us now and what would it mean in the socialist future? "Do we need prisons?" introductory speech by Anita Downs in "The state, crime, prisons, and police" series of meetings. All meetings coming up at: https://workersliberty.org/c19-online . Video: ***Notes from meetings below*** **Key facts** • 79,645 people in prison in the UK • 69% of these have not committed any violent crimes • 27% are BAME (13% in UK population) • 5% are women. 89% of women have not committed any violent crimes • Percentage reporting drug addiction rose 8.4% from 2013/14 to 15% in 2018/2019 (effect of spice) • Mental health – 26% women & 16% men had mental health treatment in the year before prison • 87 suicides in 2019 • 1 in 3 have learning disability or learning difficulty • 62% have reading age of 11 or lower (compared to 15% in population) • 1 in 7 homeless at release (37% of women) • Only 17% in PAYE job a year after release • The number of detained children has decreased, but less so among BAME children. 50% of detained children are BAME • Short sentences of 6 months or less are less effective in reducing reoffending than community sentence. Yet number of community sentences has fallen by half in a decade • 44% leaving prison reoffend within a year **Trends:** • Self harm, violence to each other and staff are all at record high levels. • Prison population was rising until last two years • Overall length of sentences increased • Staffing and budget reduced 2010 – 2015 (POs reduced by 26%) • Inspectors issued ‘urgent’ notifications for many prisons – uninhabitable, inmates in cells for long periods due to lack of staff. Cuts & privatisation • Recruitment from 2016 – POs now 10% down compared to 2010 • No relationship between prison numbers and crime figures **Covid in prisons:** • April – up to 4000 planned to be released due to Covid (vulnerable / pregnant • Less than 100 actually released due to poorly understood plans (up to end of May) • Single cell occupancy would require release of 10,000 – 15,000 • Opted for restrictions rather than release (stopping visits, association) • Prisoners complain of lack of PPE for officers **History:** • Before 1700s – death penalty, public humiliation, corporal punishment, transportation. Prison while awaiting trial. 1777 John Howard – debtors & murderers, women, children, men, should be separated! • 1800s – hard labour, religious instruction. (last public execution 1868)(Hulks ended 1857) • 1877 – 1907 - idea of reform and training, • Early 1900s Churchill, prisoner in Boer war 1899 – reforms – shorter sentences, less harsh • 1948 – Abolished penal servitude and flogging • 1965 – Abolition of death sentence • 1990 – ‘Prison works’ more punitive approach – subsequent Labour and Tory governments – increased prison population, privatisation • 1990 – Strangeways riot Woolfe report (cells should have toilets!!) • Incentives and Earned Rewards Scheme – slavery? **References:** • http://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Bromley%20Briefings/Prison%20the%20facts%20Summer%202019.pdf • https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49324718 • https://www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/sites/crimeandjustice.org.uk/files/09627250802476668.pdf • https://www.workersliberty.org/story/2010/08/10/prisons-tool-capital • Prison Reform Trust • Howard League for Penal Reform

Leicestershire Cares' latest care experienced podcast, Fostering a New Approach, explores the issues surrounding care experienced young people and the criminal justice system. This episode Casey and Diana are joined by Dr Claire Fitzpatrick, a Senior Lecturer in Criminology and the Youth Justice Lead in the Centre for Child & Family Justice Research, at Lancaster University.This is a massive and complex topic that will take more than today's show to unpack, and in future episodes we hope to speak to a range of people involved, from young people with experiences of the criminal justice system, to the people that work within it.Most children in care do not commit crime, however there is an over-representation of care leavers in the criminal justice system.Less than 1% of the population have been in the care system, yet a recent review chaired by Lord Laming reports that about 50% of children in custody have been in care.So why is this? Is it because we are damaged or have complex needs that have not been met? Is it because we've been let down by family and then by the state?Or is it more subtle than that? Hidden in the wider systemic problems that exist and affect care experienced young people?Main talking pointsCare experienced young people are under more surveillance compared to their peers.Unnecessary criminalisation of some children in care for minor offences.Changing the narrative from blaming the individual to blaming the systems.Do I offend to get better access to mental health support? The justice setting compared to the community setting.The risk level score. A classification given to care experienced young people. Is it better to elevate the score, so a young person can access higher level of support quicker, but, have live with that risk score hanging over their head?A failings care system and criminal justice system which creates a revolving door. Is this down to the lack of support in society?Diversion is the key.A post code lottery with the support you may get from your local authority.Podcast InformationFind out more about Dr Claire Fitzpatrick and her researchDisrupting the Routes between Care and Custody: Learning from Girls and Women in the Care and Criminal Justice SystemsSocial media: Twitter@CJJFitzpatrick@CareCustody@_caseyarmstrong@DianaOmokore@LeicsCaresResearch for this podcast:The Conversation. Why have so many people in prison spent time in care as children?Howard League for Penal Reform. The impact of care-experience across the life-courseHoward League for Penal Reform. Criminal Care?Gov.UK. Care leavers in prison and probationPrison Reform Trust: Keeping children in care out of trouble: an independent reviewSampson, Robert J. and John H. Laub. 2016. "Turning Points and the Future of Life-Course Criminology: Reflections on the 1986 Criminal Careers Report." Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency 53: 321-335. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0022427815616992 Get involved in the podcastIf you have a questions for Casey and Diana to discuss on their podcast, tweet them at @LeicsCares #CEYPPODCAST or email jacob@leicestershirecares.co.ukFor more information about our Voices project contact jacob@leicestershirecares.co.ukFind out how we work with care experienced young people

What should patriotism look like for Christians? And are there ways to improve the penal system and rehabilitation?

In these two public webinars from the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge, the panels explore the enormous additional pressures that the pandemic has imposed on the criminal justice system. In this second webinar we look at the current conditions in English prisons and explore why more has not been done for those in custody throughout the pandemic. At the beginning of April, the government announced plans for the early release of up to 4,000 prisoners in England and Wales, to reduce prison overcrowding and to slow the rate of infection among prisoners and staff. The Prison Governors Association and Public Health England argued that releasing 10,000 - 15,000 prisoners was needed. By late April, though, a mere 33 prisoners had been released. What went wrong? What has happened throughout May? What have been the implications for the welfare/health/progression of both prisoners and staff? What are the lessons to be learnt now, and for the future - within the prison and probation systems? Discussing the issues: Chair: Nicky Padfield, Professor of Criminal and Penal Justice Nicky is joined by a panel of experts: - Andrea Albutt (President, Prison Governors Association); - Richard Garside (Director, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies); - Laura Janes (Legal Director, Howard League for Penal Reform); - (Retired) Judge John Samuels QC (ex-Parole Board and President, Prisoners' Education Trust); and - Jessie Smith (Cambridge PhD candidate in Law, solicitor, formerly specialising in national security). This entry provides an audio source.

In these two public webinars from the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge, the panels explore the enormous additional pressures that the pandemic has imposed on the criminal justice system. In this second webinar we look at the current conditions in English prisons and explore why more has not been done for those in custody throughout the pandemic. At the beginning of April, the government announced plans for the early release of up to 4,000 prisoners in England and Wales, to reduce prison overcrowding and to slow the rate of infection among prisoners and staff. The Prison Governors Association and Public Health England argued that releasing 10,000 - 15,000 prisoners was needed. By late April, though, a mere 33 prisoners had been released. What went wrong? What has happened throughout May? What have been the implications for the welfare/health/progression of both prisoners and staff? What are the lessons to be learnt now, and for the future - within the prison and probation systems? Discussing the issues: Chair: Nicky Padfield, Professor of Criminal and Penal Justice Nicky is joined by a panel of experts: - Andrea Albutt (President, Prison Governors Association); - Richard Garside (Director, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies); - Laura Janes (Legal Director, Howard League for Penal Reform); - (Retired) Judge John Samuels QC (ex-Parole Board and President, Prisoners' Education Trust); and - Jessie Smith (Cambridge PhD candidate in Law, solicitor, formerly specialising in national security). This entry provides an audio source.

In these two public webinars from the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge, the panels explore the enormous additional pressures that the pandemic has imposed on the criminal justice system. In this second webinar we look at the current conditions in English prisons and explore why more has not been done for those in custody throughout the pandemic. At the beginning of April, the government announced plans for the early release of up to 4,000 prisoners in England and Wales, to reduce prison overcrowding and to slow the rate of infection among prisoners and staff. The Prison Governors Association and Public Health England argued that releasing 10,000 - 15,000 prisoners was needed. By late April, though, a mere 33 prisoners had been released. What went wrong? What has happened throughout May? What have been the implications for the welfare/health/progression of both prisoners and staff? What are the lessons to be learnt now, and for the future - within the prison and probation systems? Discussing the issues: Chair: Nicky Padfield, Professor of Criminal and Penal Justice Nicky is joined by a panel of experts: - Andrea Albutt (President, Prison Governors Association); - Richard Garside (Director, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies); - Laura Janes (Legal Director, Howard League for Penal Reform); - (Retired) Judge John Samuels QC (ex-Parole Board and President, Prisoners' Education Trust); and - Jessie Smith (Cambridge PhD candidate in Law, solicitor, formerly specialising in national security).

In these two public webinars from the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge, the panels explore the enormous additional pressures that the pandemic has imposed on the criminal justice system. In this second webinar we look at the current conditions in English prisons and explore why more has not been done for those in custody throughout the pandemic. At the beginning of April, the government announced plans for the early release of up to 4,000 prisoners in England and Wales, to reduce prison overcrowding and to slow the rate of infection among prisoners and staff. The Prison Governors Association and Public Health England argued that releasing 10,000 - 15,000 prisoners was needed. By late April, though, a mere 33 prisoners had been released. What went wrong? What has happened throughout May? What have been the implications for the welfare/health/progression of both prisoners and staff? What are the lessons to be learnt now, and for the future - within the prison and probation systems? Discussing the issues: Chair: Nicky Padfield, Professor of Criminal and Penal Justice Nicky is joined by a panel of experts: - Andrea Albutt (President, Prison Governors Association); - Richard Garside (Director, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies); - Laura Janes (Legal Director, Howard League for Penal Reform); - (Retired) Judge John Samuels QC (ex-Parole Board and President, Prisoners' Education Trust); and - Jessie Smith (Cambridge PhD candidate in Law, solicitor, formerly specialising in national security). This entry provides an audio source.

In these two public webinars from the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge, the panels explore the enormous additional pressures that the pandemic has imposed on the criminal justice system. In this second webinar we look at the current conditions in English prisons and explore why more has not been done for those in custody throughout the pandemic. At the beginning of April, the government announced plans for the early release of up to 4,000 prisoners in England and Wales, to reduce prison overcrowding and to slow the rate of infection among prisoners and staff. The Prison Governors Association and Public Health England argued that releasing 10,000 - 15,000 prisoners was needed. By late April, though, a mere 33 prisoners had been released. What went wrong? What has happened throughout May? What have been the implications for the welfare/health/progression of both prisoners and staff? What are the lessons to be learnt now, and for the future - within the prison and probation systems? Discussing the issues: Chair: Nicky Padfield, Professor of Criminal and Penal Justice Nicky is joined by a panel of experts: - Andrea Albutt (President, Prison Governors Association); - Richard Garside (Director, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies); - Laura Janes (Legal Director, Howard League for Penal Reform); - (Retired) Judge John Samuels QC (ex-Parole Board and President, Prisoners' Education Trust); and - Jessie Smith (Cambridge PhD candidate in Law, solicitor, formerly specialising in national security). This entry provides an audio source.

In these two public webinars from the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge, the panels explore the enormous additional pressures that the pandemic has imposed on the criminal justice system. In this second webinar we look at the current conditions in English prisons and explore why more has not been done for those in custody throughout the pandemic. At the beginning of April, the government announced plans for the early release of up to 4,000 prisoners in England and Wales, to reduce prison overcrowding and to slow the rate of infection among prisoners and staff. The Prison Governors Association and Public Health England argued that releasing 10,000 - 15,000 prisoners was needed. By late April, though, a mere 33 prisoners had been released. What went wrong? What has happened throughout May? What have been the implications for the welfare/health/progression of both prisoners and staff? What are the lessons to be learnt now, and for the future - within the prison and probation systems? Discussing the issues: Chair: Nicky Padfield, Professor of Criminal and Penal Justice Nicky is joined by a panel of experts: - Andrea Albutt (President, Prison Governors Association); - Richard Garside (Director, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies); - Laura Janes (Legal Director, Howard League for Penal Reform); - (Retired) Judge John Samuels QC (ex-Parole Board and President, Prisoners' Education Trust); and - Jessie Smith (Cambridge PhD candidate in Law, solicitor, formerly specialising in national security).

Different jurisdictions worldwide are grappling to prevent massive outbreaks of Covid-19 in prisons. The UK has, thus far, maintained low death rate inside, but at what cost? Frances Crook, CEO of the Howard League for Penal Reform, says it's because prisoners are being locked up for at least 23 hours a day. How sustainable is this approach? In this episode, you'll hear from different jurisdictions in how they are coping. Are early release schemes the answer? 

Omar is joined by Andrew Neilson, the Director of Campaigns at The Howard League for Penal Reform to discuss recommendations for the UK government during the COVID-19 pandemic. See the Howard League and Prison Reform Trust call for further early release to protect prisoners, staff and wider public from coronavirus @TheHowardLeague | @neilsonandrew @OmarPKhan | @Justice_Focus https://www.justicefocus.org/

Omar is joined by Olivia Rope, the Director of Policy and International Advocacy at Penal Reform International to discuss how criminal justice systems across the world have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. See PRI's briefing note on prevention measures in prisons and wider impacts of responses to governments on people in criminal justice systems: Coronavirus: Healthcare and human rights of people in prison. @LiviRope @PenalReformInt @OmarPKhan | @Justice_Focus https://www.justicefocus.org/

Jeremy Dein QC talks to Andrew Neilson, Director of Campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform, about how our prisons need to change, and how the coronavirus outbreak is affecting prisoners, staff and the system as a whole.

What happens when top graduates work behind bars as prison officers? Lucy Ash meets young people who have forsaken lucrative careers in the City or elsewhere, for what many see as one of the world’s worst jobs. They’re part of Graduates Unlocked, a scheme which, which is trying to replicate in the prison service the success of Teach First, the programme that sends high-flyers into inner-city schools. The aim is to raise the status and reputation of prison officers, to boost recruitment and cut reoffending. It is hoped that youthful enthusiasm plus resilience and empathy could bring a much needed revolution to the criminal justice system. But faced with acute understaffing and assaults on prison officers at record levels, how much of a difference can the graduates make? Lucy meets a group of young men and women who are are sent to HMP Aylesbury, which holds the longest-sentenced young adult males in the English prison system. The youth offender institution in Buckinghamshire is "in a perpetual state of crisis" according to the Howard League for Penal Reform. A few months into the graduates' stint there, the youth prison is placed in special measures for keeping some inmates locked up for 23 hours a day. Can the graduates' early idealism survive the reality of life behind bars? Producer: Arlene Gregorius

Episode 4 of Sex Talk looks into the relatively unknown world of Sex and Prisons. Adele and Hilary hear from a former prisoner, Julia, who talks openly about her own experience of sex and relationships in Prison. They're also joined in the studio by Lorraine Atkinson from The Howard League for Penal Reform, who talks about the review the organisation did on sex in prisons.

This episode introduces extensive research conducted in the United States by Professor Todd Clear of Rutgers University, which involves detailed analysis of US incarceration rates over a 30-year period. He discusses his experiences in how best to influence public and political debate about incarceration. He acknowledges the emotive nature of this topic but reasserts his firm belief that evidence can — and has — informed the prison debate by presenting statistics, individual stories and addressing preconceived ideas about offenders and community safety. He also highlights the implications of prison for the children of prisoners and talks about the problem of inter-generational cycles of violence, substance misuse and imprisonment.

In this episode of the Caribbean Mentors podcast I have a wonderful chat with Mr. Andrew Pilgrim. He is a former president of the Barbados Bar Association.  He presently sits on the Advisory Committee on Criminal Justice and Magisterial Reform in the Caribbean. He has been part of National Steering Committees on Penal Reform and Drug Treatment Courts, and has sat on the Commission of Inquiry into the operations of the Child Care Board.

On Monday 20th June 2016, the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge held the 19th Annual Bill McWilliams Memorial Lecture. The lecture was delivered by Vivian Geiran, Director of the Irish Probation Service. Mr Geiran spoke on the topic 'Penal Reform and Probation in Europe: Positive Change of Direction, 'Nudges to the Rudder' or 'Steady as She Goes'?'. The Bill McWilliams Memorial Lecture is generously supported by the Probation Chiefs' Association, the Clarke Hall Fund, the Barrow Cadbury Trust, and the late Hugh Sanders OBE.

On Monday 20th June 2016, the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge held the 19th Annual Bill McWilliams Memorial Lecture. The lecture was delivered by Vivian Geiran, Director of the Irish Probation Service. Mr Geiran spoke on the topic 'Penal Reform and Probation in Europe: Positive Change of Direction, 'Nudges to the Rudder' or 'Steady as She Goes'?'. The Bill McWilliams Memorial Lecture is generously supported by the Probation Chiefs' Association, the Clarke Hall Fund, the Barrow Cadbury Trust, and the late Hugh Sanders OBE. This entry provides an audio source for iTunes U.

On Monday 20th June 2016, the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge held the 19th Annual Bill McWilliams Memorial Lecture. The lecture was delivered by Vivian Geiran, Director of the Irish Probation Service. Mr Geiran spoke on the topic 'Penal Reform and Probation in Europe: Positive Change of Direction, 'Nudges to the Rudder' or 'Steady as She Goes'?'. The Bill McWilliams Memorial Lecture is generously supported by the Probation Chiefs' Association, the Clarke Hall Fund, the Barrow Cadbury Trust, and the late Hugh Sanders OBE. This entry provides an audio source for iTunes U.

On Monday 20th June 2016, the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge held the 19th Annual Bill McWilliams Memorial Lecture. The lecture was delivered by Vivian Geiran, Director of the Irish Probation Service. Mr Geiran spoke on the topic 'Penal Reform and Probation in Europe: Positive Change of Direction, 'Nudges to the Rudder' or 'Steady as She Goes'?'. The Bill McWilliams Memorial Lecture is generously supported by the Probation Chiefs' Association, the Clarke Hall Fund, the Barrow Cadbury Trust, and the late Hugh Sanders OBE.

On Monday 20th June 2016, the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge held the 19th Annual Bill McWilliams Memorial Lecture. The lecture was delivered by Vivian Geiran, Director of the Irish Probation Service. Mr Geiran spoke on the topic 'Penal Reform and Probation in Europe: Positive Change of Direction, 'Nudges to the Rudder' or 'Steady as She Goes'?'. The Bill McWilliams Memorial Lecture is generously supported by the Probation Chiefs' Association, the Clarke Hall Fund, the Barrow Cadbury Trust, and the late Hugh Sanders OBE. This entry provides an audio source for iTunes U.

On Monday 20th June 2016, the Institute of Criminology at the University of Cambridge held the 19th Annual Bill McWilliams Memorial Lecture. The lecture was delivered by Vivian Geiran, Director of the Irish Probation Service. Mr Geiran spoke on the topic 'Penal Reform and Probation in Europe: Positive Change of Direction, 'Nudges to the Rudder' or 'Steady as She Goes'?'. The Bill McWilliams Memorial Lecture is generously supported by the Probation Chiefs' Association, the Clarke Hall Fund, the Barrow Cadbury Trust, and the late Hugh Sanders OBE.

Restoring the justice and prison systems back to working order is an essential and often urgent task for post-conflict states. In this expert blog for PRI, Terry Hackett, Warden of Pacific Institution in British Columbia (BC), Canada, draws on his recent research into civil society action in justice and correctional reform in Rwanda after the genocide of the early 1990s, to demonstrate the potential value that civil societies can bring to correctional reform processes in a post-conflict setting. Terry's qualitative research is based on 22 interviews of government officials and former and current NGO staff members involved in correctional reform since the 1994 genocide, as well as observations and site visits that occurred in Rwanda in late 2014. A full account of his research can be found in his recently published article The Prison should not be an island: the role of Civil society in post conflict prison reform in Rwanda, Acta Criminologica: Southern African Journal of Criminology Special Edition No 1/2015: Change in African corrections − from incarceration to reintegration.

With serious assaults at a record high, File on 4 investigates the growing tension within Britain's prisons. In the first of a new series, BBC Home Affairs correspondent Danny Shaw meets recently released prisoners and families of those inside to hear about their safety fears. And he talks to the Prison Officers Association about their concerns for the frontline members who they say are facing unprecedented levels of pressure and danger in a "chaotic" system. The Howard League for Penal Reform has used Ministry of Justice figures to calculate that around 40% of prison officer jobs have been cut - leaving inmates spending longer locked in their cells and less time preparing for their release. Lawyers and campaigners tell File on 4 that overcrowding and gang activity are adding to a "toxic mix" of problems leading to instability and tension. Twenty five years after the prison system was shaken by a series of riots centring on Strangeways in Manchester, is a new crisis starting to unfold? Reporter: Danny Shaw Producer: Sally Chesworth.

A study published last December in the medical journal Lancet said that self-harm rates were more than ten times higher in female prisoners than in male inmates. The Women in Prison organisation says women account for a disproportionate amount of self-harm, 28%, despite making up only 5% of the prison population. VoR's Juliet Spare hosts a debate. Joining Juliet to discuss the issues of incarcerating women are:- Erwin James, journalist and former prisoner who writes for the Guardian. Robert Preece, Howard League for Penal Reform - the oldest penal reform charity in the UK Julie Bindel, author, journalist, feminist campaigner and co-founder of Justice for Women Rachel Horman, domestic violence specialist solicitor at Watson Ramsbottom Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/uk/2014_05_05/VoR-Debate-Women-in-Prisons-more-harm-than-good-6009/

This open forum, jointly hosted by the Centre for Theology & Public Issues and the Howard League for Penal Reform, is chaired by Dunedin Barrister Anne Stevens. The panellists include Sir Geoffrey Palmer, QC, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Major Campbell Roberts, Director of Social Policy, Salvation Army and Professor Jennie Connor, Head of the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago. The link between alcohol consumption and criminal offending in New Zealand is well established. Police estimate that about one third of all offending involves alcohol and that about half of all violent crimes are alcohol-related. The link between alcohol and crime is but one indicator of the serious problems caused by alcohol consumption in our society. The panel considers the nature and extent of the problem and the legal, behavioural and cultural changes that are needed to make a difference. 31 October 2013

This open forum, jointly hosted by the Centre for Theology & Public Issues and the Howard League for Penal Reform, is chaired by Dunedin Barrister Anne Stevens. The panellists include Sir Geoffrey Palmer, QC, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Major Campbell Roberts, Director of Social Policy, Salvation Army and Professor Jennie Connor, Head of the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago. The link between alcohol consumption and criminal offending in New Zealand is well established. Police estimate that about one third of all offending involves alcohol and that about half of all violent crimes are alcohol-related. The link between alcohol and crime is but one indicator of the serious problems caused by alcohol consumption in our society. The panel considers the nature and extent of the problem and the legal, behavioural and cultural changes that are needed to make a difference. 31 October 2013

This open forum, jointly hosted by the Centre for Theology & Public Issues and the Howard League for Penal Reform, is chaired by Dunedin Barrister Anne Stevens. The panellists include Sir Geoffrey Palmer, QC, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Major Campbell Roberts, Director of Social Policy, Salvation Army and Professor Jennie Connor, Head of the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago. The link between alcohol consumption and criminal offending in New Zealand is well established. Police estimate that about one third of all offending involves alcohol and that about half of all violent crimes are alcohol-related. The link between alcohol and crime is but one indicator of the serious problems caused by alcohol consumption in our society. The panel considers the nature and extent of the problem and the legal, behavioural and cultural changes that are needed to make a difference. 31 October 2013

The final article in the analysis series examining prison health in England and Wales is published this week. To sum up, Francis Crook, Director of the Howard League for Penal Reform - the UK's oldest charity examining prison conditions - joins us to discuss prison reform. Also this week, Myasthenia gravis; Jennifer Spillane, clinical research associate at the Institute of Neurology in London, explains why it's easily missed.

As the Defamation Bill passes through the House of Lords and is signed off by the Commons, we speak to the science writer and campaigner Simon Singh. Should people who are arrested be named in the media or should their identify remain a secret until charged? A question for Susan Aslan a Media Lawyer, Trevor Kavanagh Associate Editor of The Sun and Frances Crook Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform. Plus Susanna Dinnage general manager of Discovery Networks UK on the launch of a new Channel aimed at women.Presented by Steve Hewlett Produced by Beverley Purcell.

Dr James Treadwell talks about the imprisonment of ex-military personnel. His research helps inform the Howard League Commission for Penal Reform.

Ernie Rea is joined by three guests who discuss how their own religious tradition affects their values and outlook on the world, often revealing hidden and contradictory truths. In this programme, Ernie Rea and his guests discuss the statutory provision of religion in prison. What is the history and role of prison chaplains? Should the state make provision for prisoners to worship and practice their own faith inside prison. Is radical Islam being propagated within the prison system and what is being done to combat extremist views. Discussing religion in prison is the Rev Christopher Jones, a former prison chaplain and now Home Affairs Policy Adviser for the Church of England's, Archbishop's Council; Rashad Ali from Centri, a counter extremist organisation; and Frances Crook, the director of the Howard League for Penal Reform. Producer: Karen Maurice.

Ernie Rea is joined by three guests who discuss how their own religious tradition affects their values and outlook on the world, often revealing hidden and contradictory truths. In this programme, Ernie Rea and his guests discuss the statutory provision of religion in prison. What is the history and role of prison chaplains? Should the state make provision for prisoners to worship and practice their own faith inside prison. Is radical Islam being propagated within the prison system and what is being done to combat extremist views. Discussing religion in prison is the Rev Christopher Jones, a former prison chaplain and now Home Affairs Policy Adviser for the Church of England's, Archbishop's Council; Rashad Ali from Centri, a counter extremist organisation; and Frances Crook, the director of the Howard League for Penal Reform. Producer: Karen Maurice.