Justice

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

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 sha

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 advocati

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 Stree

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 Thi

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

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

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

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 j

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.her

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

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.&

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&

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 o

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 P

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 c

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 wom

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 informa