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 …

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 nee…

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, a…

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 …

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 th…

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, …

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…

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 f…

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 1…

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…

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…

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 Pr…

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 tha…

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 …

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 …

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 w…

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 …

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 Acade…

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 man…

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 H…

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 a…

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 providin…

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 priso…

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, th…

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 d…

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 va…

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 domesti…

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 conver…

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 hur…

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 sparke…

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…

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. Nata…

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 entail…

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 disadvantag…

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 retur…

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 d…

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 Dangerou…

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 onl…

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 to…

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 …

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 …

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 de…

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…

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 outl…

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 descri…

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 envi…

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 in…

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 w…

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…

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 t…