The Transform Justice Podcast

In England and Wales, children can be remanded to custody before they have been found guilty of any crime. But are too many children being locked up unnecessarily, and at what cost? In this episode, hosts Penelope and Rob are joined by Angus Jones, HMI Prisons Team Leader for Children and Young People, and Mel Stooks, solicitor, to examine the use of remand for children in the youth justice system.They explore the impact even a short spell in custody has on children's lives, why so many remanded children are ultimately not given a custodial sentence, and why disorganisation across the various services involved so often means that a workable bail package isn't ready at a child's first court appearance, leaving a child in custody who need not be there.Angus JonesRead HMIP's report on children on short-term remand here: https://hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmipris_reports/children-on-short-term-remand/Mel StooksLearn about Mel's work here: https://gtstewart.co.uk/our-people/mel-stooks/Further resourcesSee Transform Justice's work on pre-trial imprisonment here: https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/focus-areas/pre-trial-imprisonment/Transform JusticeTwitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TransformJust1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@transformjustice.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

In July 2024, a tragic attack in Southport claimed the lives of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar and irreparably harmed the local community.Almost two years later, an inquiry has been published to try to understand what led Axel Rudakubana to commit these crimes. In this episode, our hosts are joined by Professor Lynn Davies, ConnectFutures, and Selina Wallis, University of Liverpool, to discuss the many missed opportunities to prevent the attacks.We cover how a teenager known to services could fall through the cracks, the changing landscape of extremism in the face of unfettered internet access, and much more.Professor Lynn DaviesEmeritus Professor of International Education at the University of Birmingham, and Director of social enterprise ConnectFutures.See Lynn’s University of Birmingham profile: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/education/davies-lynnRead the Manchester Arena Inquiry, for which Lynn acted as an Expert Witness: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/manchester-arena-inquiry-reportsSelina WallisPublic involvement and co-production lead in applied health research at the University of Liverpool, including work connected to NIHR ARC North West Coast.See Selina’s University of Liverpool profile: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/selina-wallisRead the Safe by Default Substack: https://saferbydefault.substack.com/p/after-prevent-after-southportRead about the Preventing Mixed Forms of Extremism project: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/sociology-social-policy-and-criminology/research/research-projects/preventing-mixed-forms-of-extremism/Further resourcesRead the Southport Inquiry: Phase 1 report here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-southport-inquiry-phase-1-report‘Known to services’ or ‘Known by professionals’: Relationality at the core of trauma-informed responses to extra-familial harm: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190740924001671Transform JusticeTwitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TransformJust1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@transformjustice.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

Are court staff welcoming? Can defendants participate effectively? How is anyone supposed to follow legal jargon?We're back with more insights from our volunteer courtwatchers! In the latest wave of observation, volunteers recorded reflections on more than 2,000 cases and the findings are out now.Rob and Penelope are joined by courtwatcher Rosemin Najmudin and Jessica Jacobson, Professor of criminal justice at Birkbeck, University of London to discuss effective participation, intimidating attitudes from some court staff, perceived racial bias in the courtroom, and much more.Rosemin NajmudinLearn more about courtwatching: https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/focus-areas/courtwatch-london/Jessica JacobsonFind out more about Jessica's work on procedural justice: https://clinks.org/publication/procedural-justice-courtsFurther resourcesRead our courtwatchers' latest findings:Due dignity: how are defendants treated in London magistrates' courts? https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/publication/due-dignity-how-are-defendants-treated-in-london-magistrates-courts/Beyond reasonable delay : efficiency in London magistrates' courts https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/publication/beyond-reasonable-delay-efficiency-in-london-magistrates-courts-2/Sign up to courtwatch across England and Wales: https://transformjustice.eo.page/courtwatchlondonTransform JusticeTwitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TransformJust1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@transformjustice.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

When someone commits a sexual offence, the punishment often extends far beyond the sentence—shaping their lives, and the lives of those around them, for years to come. In this episode, hosts Penelope and Rob are joined by Eppie Sprung, Chief Executive of Next Chapter Scotland, and Belinda Winder, Professor of Forensic Psychology at Nottingham Trent University.Together they explore why sexual offences are treated as a category apart, the evidence behind interventions such as chemical castration, and the impact of stigma by association. Finally, they tackle a difficult question: is ostracising people who’ve committed sexual offences from society really the best way to ensure it doesn’t happen again?Eppie SprungFind out more about Next Chapter Scotland here: https://www.nextchapterscotland.org.uk/Belinda WinderBelinda is a trustee of Unlock, and co-founder of the Safer Living Foundation. Find Belinda's research here: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/staff-profiles/social-sciences/belinda-winder Transform JusticeTwitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@TransformJust1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@transformjustice.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

Restorative justice is one of the most powerful - and least understood - parts of the justice system. Proven to satisfy victims and slash reoffending, it’s justice that’s shaped around the needs of those involved, creating space for accountability, repair, and understanding. Sounds ideal…so why is it so underutilised?In this episode we unpack restorative justice - what it is, how it works, and why it can be so hard to access. Joining us are Paul Kohler, Liberal Democrat MP for Wimbledon and a victim of violent crime who pursued restorative justice in search of answers, and Lucy Jaffe, a justice consultant and leading restorative justice advocate. We discuss what restorative justice looks like in practice, why so few people know about it, and policy proposals aiming to expand access.Paul Kohler MP @PaulKohlerSW19MP and Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Northern Ireland).Read more about Paul’s parliamentary advocacy for restorative justice: https://www.paulkohler.uk/news/article/paul-kohler-mp-pushes-prime-minister-to-invest-in-restorative-justice And see his amendment to the Victims and Courts bill (in conjunction with Why me? and Calm Mediation) here: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3968/stages/20032/amendments/10027822Lucy JaffeFormer director of Why me?, current board member of the European Forum of Restorative Justice and restorative practitioner.Read Lucy’s article about how campaigners are shaping restorative justice policy here: https://www.euforumrj.org/putting-restorative-justice-centre-stage-how-uk-campaigners-are-shaping-policyFurther ResourcesFind out how to access restorative justice services here: https://why-me.org/our-work/do-you-want-restorative-justice/ Read more about the restorative justice amendment submitted to the Victims and Courts Bill: https://why-me.org/2025/restorative-justice-amendment-tabled-in-the-house-of-commons/Transform JusticeTwitter: ⁠⁠⁠@TransformJust1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky: ⁠⁠⁠@transformjustice.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

2025 was a busy year in justice policy. In this episode, Penelope and Rob reflect on the reforms, debates and missed opportunities that shaped the past year then look ahead to how current policy work and political priorities are likely to influence the justice landscape in 2026. We talk prisons, courts, criminal records and more.Further ResourcesRead David Gauke's Independent Sentencing Review, part 1: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67c583a868a61757838d2196/independent-sentencing-review-part-1-report.pdfRead David Gauke's Independent Sentencing Review, part 2: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/682d8d995ba51be7c0f45371/independent-sentencing-review-report-part_2.pdfRead the Leveson Independent Review of the Criminal Courts: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/686be85d81dd8f70f5de3c1f/35.49_MOJ_Ind_Review_Criminal_Courts_v8b_FINAL_WEB.pdfTransform JusticeTwitter: ⁠⁠@TransformJust1⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky: ⁠⁠@transformjustice.bsky.social⁠⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

Sharing a cell built for one, fearing for your safety, and freezing through the winter—are these really the right conditions for rehabilitation? In this episode, our hosts are joined by Andi Brierley, Senior Lecturer at Leeds Trinity University, and Andrea Coomber, CEO of the Howard League. They discuss what prison life looks like today, whether our prisons doing more harm than good, and what people truly need to move away from offending. Spoiler: it’s not being locked in a cell for 22 hours a day.Andi BrierleyFind Andi's memoir here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Honour-Can-Tell-Story/dp/1909976644Andrea CoomberRead more about The Howard League's concerns: https://howardleague.org/why-are-prisons-overcrowded/Further ResourcesRead the Justice Select Committee report: https://committees.parliament.uk/work/8678/rehabilitation-and-resettlement-ending-the-cycle-of-reoffending/Read host Rob's latest podcast on prison population projections: https://reformingprisons.blogspot.com/2025/12/courting-trouble.htmlTransform JusticeTwitter: ⁠@TransformJust1⁠BlueSky: ⁠@transformjustice.bsky.social⁠Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

What happens when the government turns protest into a crime? New laws aren’t just tightening the rules, they’re redefining who gets to speak out and even who has the right to a defence in court. With thousands of protesters waiting to hear if they’ll be charged with a crime, the message seems clear: dissent now comes at a cost.In this episode, Penelope is joined by Sarah Lunnon, an organiser with Just Stop Oil, and Audrey Mogan, a criminal barrister who has defended protesters in court. Together, they unpack how these new laws are being applied in practice and the impact on direct action groups, individual rights, and the future of protest.Audrey Mogan @acmoganFind out more about Audrey's work at Garden Chambers here: https://gardencourtchambers.co.uk/barrister/audrey-cherryl-mogan/Sarah Lunnon @slunnonFurther resourcesRead the parliamentary briefing on police powers regarding protest: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn05013/Transform JusticeTwitter: @TransformJust1BlueSky: @transformjustice.bsky.socialEmail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

The sentence of imprisonment for public protection was outlawed in 2012, but more than 1,000 people are still serving indefinite sentences in prison. Andrew Morris, former IPP prisoner, and Matthew Parris, journalist, join us to discuss why people are still being held under IPP, what impact this sentence has on those who receive it, and what must be done to rid us of the legacy of IPP once and for all.Andrew MorrisRead the Howard League's expert recommendations on ending the detention of IPP prisoners: https://howardleague.org/publications/ending-the-detention-of-people-on-ipp-sentences/Matthew ParrisRead Matthew's work here: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/matthew-parrisFurther resourcesRead the parliamentary briefing on IPP sentences: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn06086/Transform JusticeWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @TransformJust1BlueSky: @transformjustice.bsky.socialEmail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

Women are the fastest-growing prison population globally, but most offend to survive or to protect their children. In this episode, our hosts are joined by Dr Sarah Waite, Leeds Beckett University, and Lucy Campbell, founder of Flip of the Coin CIC, to discuss how the prison system is failing women and what could be done to improve how society responds when women are in crisis.Dr Sarah WaiteFind our more about Sarah's work and see her latest publications here: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/staff/dr-sarah-waite/Lucy CampbellLearn more about Lucy's arts organisation here: https://www.flipofthecoin.scot/Further resourcesLearn more about problem-solving courts for women: https://clinks.org/publication/problem-solving-courts-women Transform JusticeWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @TransformJust1BlueSky: @transformjustice.bsky.socialEmail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

Please note that this episode discusses suicide and self harm.Should someone with schizophrenia stand trial? Can they be held responsible for their actions if their behaviour isn't rooted in reality?Our hosts are joined by Dr Bradley Hillier, forensic psychiatrist, and Rhona Friedman, solicitor, to discuss how people with serious mental illnesses are treated in the justice system; the legal questions surrounding their participation at court; and the role of forensic hospitals.Dr Bradley HillierFind out more about Bradley here: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/psychiatry/forensic-psychiatry/real-life-story-dr-brad-hillierRhona FriedmanFind out more about Rhona's innovative firm Commons Legal here: https://www.commons.legal/Transform JusticeWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @TransformJust1BlueSky: @transformjustice.bsky.socialEmail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

Ten years ago, the Single Justice Procedure (SJP) was introduced to make the magistrates’ courts more efficient. Designed to handle minor offences swiftly and cheaply, it allows cases to be decided by a single magistrate behind closed doors, often without the defendant’s knowledge or participation. Guilty pleas and mitigation can be submitted online, and most cases are processed in weeks rather than months. But at what cost?In this episode, host Penelope Gibbs is in the hot seat alongside barrister Kirsty Brimelow KC to discuss how the SJP works and what it means for people facing charges. Penelope Gibbs @PenelopeGibbs2Read Penelope's report on the Single Justice Procedure here: http://bit.ly/4o5bOjGKirsty Brimelow KC @Kirsty_BrimelowFind out more about Kirsty's work here: https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/barristers/kirsty-brimelow-kcTransform JusticeWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @TransformJust1BlueSky: @transformjustice.bsky.socialEmail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

Custody is supposed to be used as a last resort when a child gets in trouble. But that's not always the case. In this episode, our hosts are joined by Dr Anne-Marie Day, youth justice researcher at Manchester Metropolitan University, and Dr Laura Janes KC (Hon), solicitor. They discuss why children are detained, how they are treated in custody, and what the experience of imprisonment is like for a child. Dr Anne-Marie DayRead more about Anne-Marie's work here: https://www.mmu.ac.uk/staff/profile/dr-anne-marie-day#t-tabs_staff_profile-3Dr Laura Janes KC (Hon)Find out more about Laura's work here: https://laurakjanes.co.uk/Transform JusticeWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky: @transformjustice.bsky.socialEmail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

The long-awaited final report of David Gauke's sentencing review was published on 22nd May 2025. In this episode, Penelope and Rob are joined by Rachel Sylvester, political editor of The Observer, to discuss its contents.From chemical castration to early release, the report covers a huge range of suggestions to reduce pressure on our prison system. But will it be enough to finally broker peace between the parties, the public, and the prisons?Rachel SylvesterRead more from The Times' crime and justice commission, which Rachel chaired: https://www.thetimes.com/law/crime-justice-commissionFurther resources:Read the sentencing review final report: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/independent-sentencing-review-final-reportRead Rob's latest blog about the sentencing review: https://reformingprisons.blogspot.com/2025/05/a-good-try-but-can-it-be-converted.htmlTransform JusticeWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky: @transformjustice.bsky.socialEmail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

Does equality before the law mean treating everyone the same? Sparks have flown in recent weeks as Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood and Lord Davis, Chairman of The Sentencing Council, debate proposed guidelines that encourage judges to consider pre-sentence reports for certain groups, including ethnic and religious minorities. The Lord Chancellor has publicly criticised the proposals for creating a "two-tier" justice system.In this episode, hosts Penelope and Rob are joined by Sonya Ruparel, CEO of Women in Prison, and journalist David Shipley. They discuss what sparked the debate, why some oppose the guidelines, and who should have final say on matters informing sentencing.Sonya RuparelRead Women in Prison's statement: https://womeninprison.org.uk/news/women-in-prison-respond-to-discussion-on-sentencing-council-guidanceDavid ShipleyRead David's article for the Spectator: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-sentencing-council-has-been-humiliated/Further resources:Read the guidlines that sparked the debate: https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/overarching-guides/magistrates-court/item/imposition-of-community-and-custodial-sentences-overarching-guideline/Read Rob's analysis of the debate: https://reformingprisons.blogspot.com/2025/04/parliamentary-undersight-strange-case.htmlRead the letters between the Lord Chancellor and Lord Davis:https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/20250310-Letter-from-Lord-Justice-William-Davis-to-Lord-Chancellor-on-Imposition-FOR-PUBLICATION.pdfhttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67e6640655be617e1490d69c/lord-chancellor-rt-hon_lord-justice-davis.pdfhttps://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025-03-26-Letter-to-the-Lord-Chancellor-from-William-Davis-LJ-1.pdfTransform JusticeWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky: @transformjustice.bsky.socialEmail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

It's estimated that 50% of people in prison are neurodivergent, compared to around 15% of the general population. But why?In this episode, hosts Penelope and Rob are joined by David Breakspear, ambassador for ADHD Liberty, and Professor Stan Gilmour, former police officer and neurodisability researcher. Focusing on ADHD and brain injury, they discuss how neurodivergent people get caught up in the criminal justice system, why they might have worse outcomes than those who are neurotypical, and what the system could do to prevent neurodivergent people being unfairly criminalised.David BreakspearFind out more about David's work with ADHD liberty here: https://www.adhdliberty.org/Stan GilmourRead Stan's most recent work on brain injury here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hidden-injuries-unaddressed-link-between-brain-trauma-gilmour-kpm-r0mye/Further resources:Brain injury and the criminal justice system: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/v8media/universityofexeter/schoolofpsychology/ccnr/documents/Brain_Injury_News_Issue_5_Spring_15.pdfADHD and the criminal justice system:https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Takeda_ADHD-in-the-CJS-Roundtable-Report_Final.pdfTransform JusticeWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky: @transformjustice.bsky.socialEmail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

More than 70,000 cases ranging from drug possession to rape are currently waiting to be heard in the crown court. This backlog is leaving victims without justice, defendants in limbo, and the public questioning if our justice system is fit for purpose. The backlog has been the subject of much discussion, but is it all just commentary?Hosts Rob and Penelope are joined by former Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk KC and Dominic Thomas, barrister at 25 Bedford Row, to talk solutions. Will increasing judge sitting days, reducing sentence lengths, or introducing a new 'intermediate' court finally fix things?Alex Chalk KC @AlexChalkCheltRead more about Alex's proposal for a new kind of court here: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/law/article/alex-chalks-radical-solution-for-the-crown-court-backlog-xpgrkdgw5Dominic Thomas @domttomFind out more about Dominic's work here: https://www.25bedfordrow.com/site/people/profile/dthomasFurther resourcesFor information about the courts review: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/independent-review-of-the-criminal-courtsTransform Justice's response to the review: https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Transform-Justices-response-to-the-Independent-Review-of-the-Criminal-Courts.pdfRead more about Rob's experience being called for jury duty: https://reformingprisons.blogspot.com/2025/02/jurys-out.htmlTransform JusticeWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @TransformJust1Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

Prison is intended to punish wrongdoing. But all too often it's not just the person on the inside who's punished, but those on the outside too: their family.In this episode, Penelope and Rob are joined by Josie Cole, author of 'prison bag', a blog describing her experience navigating family life with a partner on the inside, and Dr Lorna Brookes, founder of Time Matters and Reader in Parental Imprisonment at Liverpool John Moores University.They discuss the impact of separation through imprisonment on partnerships and children and how prison thwarts attempts to maintain relationships.Josie Cole @prisonbagRead Josie's blog Prison Bag here: https://us15.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=d1afca7a40fd3dfb4cead907c&id=fda16af2c8Dr Lorna Brookes @TimeMattersUK1Find out more about Lorna's work here: https://www.timemattersuk.com/Transform JusticeWebsite: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter: @TransformJust1Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

Though rare, children as young as 10 can be tried in criminal court in England and Wales. But are the courts up to the task of dealing with vulnerable children? In this episode Rob and Penelope are joined by Aika Stephenson, solicitor and co-founder of Just for Kids Law, and Danielle Manson, criminal defence barrister. They discuss what kind of cases involving children go to court, how children are treated by judges and prosecutors, and how courts can be made more 'child friendly'. Aika Stephenson @Justforkidslaw Find Aika's book 'In Their Defence: Fighting for Youth Justice One Child at a Time' here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/in-their-defence/aika-stephenson-just-for-kids-law/9781789294873 Danielle Manson @daniellejmanson Read more about Danielle's work here: https://www.matrixlaw.co.uk/member/danielle-manson/ Transform Justice Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

Louise Haigh recently stepped down from government after a decade-old fraud case resurfaced. She is one of the 1 in 4 working age people in England and Wales with a criminal record. Her resignation ignited debate around our criminal records system, leaving many asking: when can someone with a criminal record move on? In this episode, hosts Rob and Penelope are joined by Paula Harriott, CEO of Unlock, and Dr Nicola Collett, senior lecturer at De Montfort University. They discuss the reaction to Haigh's resignation, the reality of living with a criminal record, and the barriers that prevent people with past offences from moving on. Paula Harriott @unlockcharity Find out more about Paula's work and learn about criminal records here: https://unlock.org.uk/ Dr Nicola Collett @nicola_collett Read Nicola's research on the lifelong impact of criminal records here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385410602_The_life-long_consequences_of_criminal_justice_interactions_research_findings Join FairChecks and help us reform the outdates criminal records system Sign up here: https://fairchecks.org.uk/ Transform Justice Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

The government has just announced an independent review of sentencing to be carried out by former Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, David Gauke, and an expert panel. But will it help solve our prison crisis? In this episode, our hosts are joined by Nicky Padfield, a member of the sentencing review panel, and John Bache, a magistrate and former Chair of the Magistrates' Association. They discuss how sentencing practices have contributed to our overgrown prison population and what they hope to see out of the sentencing review. This episode was recorded on 5th November 2024. Professor Nicky Padfield KC @cambridgelaw Sentencing review panel member and Emeritus Professor of Criminal and Penal Justice, University of Cambridge John Bache @JohnBache3 Magistrate and former Chair of the Magistrates' Association Further resources Submit to the sentencing review call for evidence here: https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/independent-sentencing-review-2024-to-2025/independent-sentencing-review-2024-to-2025-call-for-evidence For more information about the Sentencing Review: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/independent-sentencing-review-2024-to-2025 Transform Justice Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

Lawyers and judges are the gatekeepers of our justice system. But the Post Office scandal has forced many to ask: are they the ethical backbone of society or enablers of injustice? In our second episode looking at the scandal, hosts Penelope and Rob are joined by Professor Richard Moorhead, University of Exeter, and John Hyde, Law Society Gazette, to discuss whether lawyers and judges were complicit in the miscarriages of justice which have emerged through the ongoing Post Office enquiry. Who knew what when? Did they have a responsibility to disclose? What should they have done differently? Join us to dive into these questions and more. Richard Moorhead @RichardMoorhead Subscribe to hear more of Richard's thoughts on the Post Office scandal here: https://richardmoorhead.substack.com/ Read about Richard's research work here: https://postofficeproject.net/ Sign up to watch the livestream of Richard's Hamlyn Lecture on 13th November: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/laws/events/2024/nov/hamlyn-lectures-2024-frail-professionalism John Hyde @JohnHyde1982 Read John's work on the Post Office scandal here: https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/john-hyde/3670.bio Transform Justice Website: ⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

The criminal justice system is bursting at the seams. But why is it so hard to fix this system in crisis? In this episode, Rob and Penelope are joined by Tom O’Grady, associate professor at UCL, and Campbell Robb, CEO of NACRO to discuss how the voluntary sector can advocate for better justice. They discuss the impact of the media and public opinion and and ask the crucial question: if politicians know the system’s broken, why haven’t they done more to fix it? Tom O’Grady @DrTomD_OG Read the report, co-authored by Tom and Gemma Buckland, about what politicians and their advisors think about criminal justice reform: https://www.nacro.org.uk/resource/better-justice-report-march-2024/  Campbell Robb @Nacro Find out more about the Better Justice partnership and NACRO’s work here: https://www.nacro.org.uk/better-justice-partnership/ Transform JusticeWebsite: www.transformjustice.org.ukTwitter: @TransformJust1Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

England and Wales is one of a tiny number of jurisdictions worldwide in which lay people sit in judgement of their peers. Some argue that magistrates play a vital role bridging the courtroom and the community. But does this work in practice? In this episode our hosts are joined by Robin Fenwick, former magistrate, and Dr Kate Leader, senior lecturer at Queen Mary University. They discuss why we have magistrates, what powers they possess, and what it's like to be a magistrate behind the scenes. Robin Fenwick @RobinComms Read more about Robin here: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-64512612 Dr Kate Leader @leader_kate Find out more about Kate's work here: https://www.qmul.ac.uk/law/people/academic-staff/items/leader.html Transform Justice Website: ⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

The US has guns, we have knives. Knife crime is often at the centre of our dialogue around crime, public safety, and urban youth culture. But is it on the rise? In this episode hosts Rob and Penelope are joined by Jon Yates, chief executive of the Youth Endowment Fund, and Craig Pinkney, criminologoist and urban youth specialist. They discuss the loaded dialogue around knife crime, why people carry knives, and what could be done to reduce these crimes. Jon Yates @YouthEndowFund Read the latest report from the Youth Endowment Fund: https://youthendowmentfund.org.uk/reports/beyond-the-headlines-2024/ Craig Pinkney @RealActionUK Watch Craig’s TED talk on the roots of youth violence here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=uWNTMmktoCQ Transform Justice Website: ⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

With a general election just around the corner, all eyes are on the parties’ plans for a new government. In this special election episode, our hosts Penelope and Rob are joined by Rick Muir, Director of the Police Foundation to discuss the parties’ plans for justice.  Will more police, more prisons, and harsher punishments fix a justice system on its knees? And will a new government listen to the evidence around what works to reduce crime and prevent reoffending?  This episode was recorded on 6 June 2024, before any manifestos were published. Rick Muir @rickmuir1 Find our more about Rick’s work at the UK’s policing think tank here: https://www.police-foundation.org.uk/ Further ResourcesLib Dem manifesto: https://www.libdems.org.uk/manifesto Transform JusticeWebsite: www.transformjustice.org.ukTwitter: @TransformJust1Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

Last year, 82 volunteers armed with booklets, pens and a desire to see justice in action took to London's magistrates' courts and observed over 1000 hearings. They diligently recorded what they saw and heard, and provided Transform Justice with a wealth of insights into the often unseen goings-on of the magistrates' courts. In this episode, hosts Rob and Penelope are joined by passionate volunteer courtwatcher Premila Trivedi and senior lecturer and criminal justice researcher Becky Clarke of Manchester Metropolitan University. Together, they draw on the project findings as well as their own personal experiences to explore some critical questions: what challenges do court observers and defendants face in the magistrates' courts? How efficient and accessible are the courts, and are judgements fair and consistent? Premila Trivedi Premila is one of 82 volunteers who attended magistrates' courts around London from July to December 2023 contributed data to the CourtWatch London reports. Becky Clarke @beckyjoyC Learn more about Becky's work here: https://www.mmu.ac.uk/research/groups/the-justice-project-sites-of-resistance Further Resources Read and download all three CourtWatch London reports here: https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/focus-areas/courtwatch-london/ Sign up to the CourtWatch mailing list to be informed if volunteer applications open again: https://transformjustice.eo.page/courtwatchlondon Transform Justice Website: www.transformjustice.org.uk Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: [email protected] The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

No one wants to be a victim of a scam, especially in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis. Yet, whether it's phishing, benefit fraud, insurance scams, or online romance cons, fraud is only on the rise and now constitutes over 40% of all crime in the UK. In this episode, hosts Penelope and Rob are joined by experts Nicola Harding, CEO of We Fight Fraud, and Michael Levi, Professor of Criminology at Cardiff University. Drawing on years of research as well as personal experience, they explore what's causing fraud to skyrocket, and what could be done to curb it. Dr Nicola Harding @NicolaAHarding Find out more about Nicola's organisation We Fight Fraud here: https://www.wefightfraud.org/ And explore Nicola's academic research here: https://www.research.lancs.ac.uk/portal/en/people/nicola-harding(0be522e0-d281-44cf-8250-1d342c5f6bd0)/publications.html Professor Michael Levi Explore Michael's academic research here: https://profiles.cardiff.ac.uk/staff/levi Further Resources CIFAS survey: https://www.cifas.org.uk/newsroom/fraudbehaviours23 Fair4All Finance and We Fight Fraud report: https://fair4allfinance.org.uk/resources/as-one-door-closes-report/ Transform Justice Website: www.transformjustice.org.uk Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: [email protected] The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. 

There are now more than 200,000 people on probation across England and Wales. The original duties of a probation officer were clear-cut: 'advise, assist, and befriend.' But with staff shortages and unmanageable caseloads leading to limited contact time, and power imbalance built into each interaction, are probation officers able to develop meaningful relationships and help people to turn their lives around? Or is the system actually pushing people back into prison? Joining hosts Rob and Penelope to discuss the ins and outs of probation are writer and speaker David Shipley who spent more than two years on probation, and community justice lecturer and former probation officer Julie Eden-Barnard. David Shipley @ShipleyWrites Read David's blog on probation here: https://probationmatters.blogspot.com/2023/12/being-on-licence.html And find out more about his work on his website: https://www.david-shipley.com/ Julie Eden-Barnard @Julie_Eden See Julie's academic work here: https://www.dmu.ac.uk/about-dmu/academic-staff/health-and-life-sciences/julie-eden-barnard/julie-eden-barnard.aspx Further Resources Read our report on the localisation of justice services here: https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Close-to-home.pdf Transform Justice Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: [email protected] The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

With prisons projected to hold 94,000 people by March 2025, and new miscarriages of justice emerging each week, it's clear our justice system is in crisis. In this episode, hosts Penelope and Rob dive deeper into a handful of the biggest issues facing our criminal justice system today. Penelope talks us through the single justice procedure, recently brought to mainstream attention in the aftermath of the Post Office scandal. She explains exactly how this system works (or rather - doesn't), how it's failing vulnerable populations, and what can be done about it. And with multiple justice bills going through parliament, Rob takes a look at exactly what is causing the prison population to keep rising. Is sentencing getting harsher? And what could the Sentencing Council do about it? Penelope Gibbs @PenelopeGibbs2 Read Penelope's insight on the single justice procedure here: https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/news-insight/should-those-who-allege-harm-prosecute-crimes-against-them/ Rob Allen @RobRobAllen Read Rob's Transform Justice report 'The Sentencing Council and criminal justice: leading role or bit part player?' here: https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/TJ_November_2020_IA_3.pdf Further resources Read Tristan Kirk's most recent coverage on the single justice procedure: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/single-justice-procedure-magistrates-minister-mike-freer-unfair-convictions-b1142751.htm Transform Justice Website: ⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: [email protected] The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

It is estimated that over half the prison population is neurodivergent, including people who are autistic or have ADHD or a brain injury. Is society's failure to understand neurodivergence leading to disproportionate criminalisation? In this episode, Rob and Penelope are joined by MP and former Lord Chancellor Sir Robert Buckland and Angela Kirwin, criminal justice author. They discuss the factors that cause neurodivergent people to come into contact with the justice system, how they experience prison differently, and efforts to promote neuroinclusion across justice. Sir Robert Buckland @RobertBuckland Read the inspectorate report commissioned by Sir Robert here: https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/cjji/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/07/Neurodiversity-evidence-review-web-2021.pdf Angela Kirwin @AngelaKirwinUK Read Angela’s book ‘Criminal’ here: https://geni.us/CriminalPB Further resources Read the User Voice Report ‘Not Naughty, Stupid or Bad’ here: https://www.uservoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/User_Voice_Neurodiversity_Dec_2023.pdf Read the Transform Justice report on assaults on emergency workers here: https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/publication/protecting-the-protectors-do-criminal-sanctions-reduce-violence-against-police-and-nhs-staff/ Read the Transform Justice archive on insights related to neurodiversity here: https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/news-insight-tag/neurodivergence/ Transform Justice Website: ⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: [email protected] The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

This episode was recorded in October 2023. Tens of thousands of people are released from prison each year in England and Wales - but many of them return to the outside world without safe and appropriate housing waiting for them. Some are forced into unsafe living situations, others become homeless, and some may even reoffend in order to return to the relative stability of prison. In this eye-opening episode, hosts Rob and Penelope are joined by philanthropist and prison reformer Edwina Grosvenor and author, former prisoner and Own Merit co-founder Steve Gallant to discuss how and why the justice system is failing prison leavers. They explain how they are taking matters into their own hands by creating positive and supportive spaces for former prisoners to live in as they work to reintegrate into society.  Edwina Grosvenor @EdwinaGrosvenor Find out more about Edwina’s organisation One Small Thing here: https://onesmallthing.org.uk/ And learn more about Hope Street here:  https://onesmallthing.org.uk/hopestreet Steve Gallant QGM @SteGallant Find out more about Steve’s organisation Own Merit here:  https://ownmerit.org/ Read Steve’s book The Road to London Bridge here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-road-to-london-bridge/steve-gallant/9781399604857  Transform Justice Website: www.transformjustice.org.uk Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: [email protected] The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Mountford Chambers for use of their space.

Content warning: this episode discusses reporting and court processes for sexual abuse. No graphic descriptions of sexual abuse are included. Rape is widely acknowledged as one of the worst crimes someone can commit. So why do so few reports of rape result in a conviction? In this difficult but important episode, hosts Rob and Penelope are joined by criminologist Betsy Stanko OBE and criminal and human rights barrister Kirsty Brimelow KC dive into the intricacies of the reporting and prosecution of sexual assault in the UK. They discuss whether police, the justice system, or juries are failing victims, and what needs to be done to ensure justice. Betsy Stanko OBE @BetsyTwicks Read more about Operation Soteria Bluestone here: https://www.npcc.police.uk/our-work/violence-against-women-and-girls/operation-soteria/ Kirsty Brimelow KC @Kirsty_Brimelow See Kirsty's bio here: https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/barristers/kirsty-brimelow-kc Resources Richard Henriques report: https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/foi-media/metropolitan-police/other_information/corporate/mps-publication-chapters-1---3-sir-richard-henriques-report.pdf Transform Justice Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Content is Queen studio.

Many of our political leaders seem hell-bent on increasing conviction rates as well as sentence lengths for many crimes. But why? In this episode, hosts Rob and Penelope are joined by Rory Stewart, former prisons Minister and co-presenter of the Rest is Politics podcast, and Stephen Bush, associate editor at the Financial Times. We explore how the last few decades of roller-coaster British politics have impacted the criminal justice system, what role the media and public opinion have to play in these contentious issues, and whether criminal justice has become the sacrificial lamb in the long march to Westminster. This episode was recorded on 8th November 2023. Rory Stewart @RoryStewartUK Listen to Rory’s podcast The Rest is Politics with Alistair Campbell here: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Ysx8g1Iw42gESAtegrFaH  Read Rory’s book here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/442034/politics-on-the-edge-by-stewart-rory/9781787332713 Stephen Bush @stephenkb Subscribe to Stephen’s award-winning daily newsletter Inside Politics here: https://www.ft.com/stephen-bush  Resources Justice Committee Report on public opinion on sentencing: https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5803/cmselect/cmjust/305/report.html Longford Lecture: https://www.longfordtrust.org/longford-lecture/next-longford-lecture/ Transform Justice Website: ⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Content is Queen studio.

The wrongful conviction of Andrew Malkinson has been making headlines since summer. But did you know that more than 1,500 potential miscarriages of justice are sent to the Criminal Cases Review Commission each year? Even more shockingly, less than 30 of these actually make it back to the Court of Appeal. In this episode, hosts Rob and Penelope are joined by Dr Jon Robins, freelance journalist, and Matt Foot, co-Director of Appeal, to discuss the uphill battle to overturn wrongful convictions, and what happens after someone is confirmed innocent. Jon Robins @JusticeGap Read Jon’s book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Guilty-Until-Proven-Innocent-Robins/dp/1785903691 Read more about miscarriages of justice here: https://www.thejusticegap.com/category/miscarriages-of-justice/ Matt Foot @we_are_APPEAL Read more about Appeal’s work on miscarriage of justice cases: https://appeal.org.uk/andy-malkinson Cases mentioned: Andy Malkinson Victor Nealon Eddie Gilfoyle Tony Stock Omar Benguit Sam Hallam Transform Justice Website: ⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Mountford Chambers for use of their space.

Problem-solving courts have long been hailed as a progressive alternative to traditional punishment. In theory, these experimental courtrooms recognise and address the root causes of crime and humanise those who come into contact with the criminal justice system. And some research shows they lead to better outcomes. But today we ask: are problem-solving courts the answer, or are they a barrier to putting resources where they really need to be? Hosts Rob and Penelope are joined by Phil Bowen, Director for the Centre for Justice Innovation, and Jocelyn Simonson, Professor at Brooklyn Law School. They discuss why problem-solving courts have continued to attract interest, how they measure up to traditional forms of punishment, and where we should focus our efforts if we want to reduce crime. Phil Bowen @CJInnovation Read more about problem-solving courts and Phil’s work here: https://justiceinnovation.org/areas-of-focus/problem-solving-courts Jocelyn Simonson @j_simonson Order Jocelyn’s new book ‘Radical Acts of Justice: How Ordinary People Are Dismantling Mass Incarceration’ here: https://thenewpress.com/books/radical-acts-of-justice Transform Justice Website: ⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Burges Salmon LLP for use of their space.

In this experimental episode of the Transform Justice podcast, hosts Penelope and Rob ask each other questions about their areas of expertise. Covering broad ground from prison overcrowding to the court backlog and digital justice, our hosts paint a picture of a justice system in crisis. This episode asks why can't our justice system cope? And will current proposals help or hinder progress towards a fairer future for justice? Sign up for CourtWatch London https://transformjustice.eo.page/courtwatchlondon Penelope Gibbs @PenelopeGibbs2 Find Penelope's work on courts and digital justice here: https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/podcast-insights/?news_category=insight Rob Allen @RobRobAllen Read Rob's blog here: http://reformingprisons.blogspot.com/ Further resources: Annual Report of the Independent Monitoring Board at HMP/YOI Norwich: https://imb.org.uk/document/norwich-2022-23-annual-report/ Less is more – the case for dealing with offences out of court: https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/publication/less-is-more-the-case-for-dealing-with-offences-out-of-court/ Transform Justice Website: ⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Burges Salmon LLP for use of their space.

Abundant evidence shows that the criminal justice system disproportionately impacts minoritised communities, and many reports have made recommendations to tackle discrimination in the courts. Yet racist treatment of lawyers, defendants, witnesses, and even judges by other court actors persists. In this episode, hosts Penelope and Rob are joined by Abimbola Johnson, barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, and Keir Monteith KC of Garden Court Chambers to discuss institutional racism in the criminal justice system and what steps must be taken for the judiciary to become anti-racist. Abimbola Johnson @BarristerAbi Learn more about Abimbola's work here: https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/barristers/abimbola-johnson Keir Monteith KC @gardencourtlaw Read 'Racial Bias and the Bench', the report Keir co-authored with Professor Eithne Quinn et al, here: https://documents.manchester.ac.uk/display.aspx?DocID=64125 Further Resources Baroness Casey Review: https://www.met.police.uk/SysSiteAssets/media/downloads/met/about-us/baroness-casey-review/update-march-2023/baroness-casey-review-march-2023a.pdf The Lammy Review: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/643001/lammy-review-final-report.pdf Transform Justice Website: ⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Burges Salmon LLP for use of their space.

PLEASE NOTE: This episode contains detailed and sometimes graphic descriptions of domestic abuse.Although public awareness of domestic abuse has risen in recent decades, it remains a widespread issue. How the police and courts should respond to cases of domestic abuse is a huge topic of discussion within criminal justice, and many feel current processes do not do enough to support survivors.In this episode, hosts Penelope and Rob are joined by Janika Cartwright, who survived an attempt on her life by her ex-partner and is a passionate advocate for restorative justice, and Jackie Sebire, retired police officer and co-author of Policing Domestic Abuse.They discuss the nuances of domestic abuse, why people experiencing it may not go to the police, and what needs to be changed to prevent it where possible, and provide a better response to survivors when it does happen.Janika CartwrightRead more about restorative justice for domestic abuse and Why Me? here: https://why-me.org/our-work/our-projects/restorative-justice-for-survivors-of-domestic-and-sexual-violence/Jackie SebireRead Police Domestic Abuse: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Policing-Domestic-Abuse-Routledge-Knowledge/dp/0367684152Further ResourcesProject CARA: https://hamptontrust.org.uk/program/cara/Transform JusticeWebsite: www.transformjustice.org.ukTwitter: @TransformJust1Email: [email protected] resources and support related to sexual assault please visit Helping Survivors: https://helpingsurvivors.org/The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Burges Salmon LLP for use of their space.

Should asking for 50p or feeding pigeons land you in prison? In this episode we discuss anti-social behaviour injunctions, and the harsh outcomes that can occur when they are breached.  Hosts Rob and Penelope are joined by Dr Rona Epstein, researcher at Coventry Law School, and James Stark, barrister. They share cases which resulted in disproportionately severe punishment, and question current approaches to anti-social behaviour. Dr Rona Epstein @CovLawSchool Read some of Rona’s recent work here: https://www.thejusticegap.com/anti-social-behaviour-law-punishing-the-poor-and-vulnerable/ James Stark @JHASTARKBAR Read the Civil Justice Council report for which James was on the working party here: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ASBI-final-accessible.pdf Further Resources Read Penelope's blog on anti-social behaviour injunctions: https://www.transformjustice.org.uk/news-insight/in-praise-of-criminal-courts/ Transform Justice Website: www.transformjustice.org.ukTwitter: @TransformJust1 Email: [email protected] The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Burges Salmon LLP for use of their space.

There are wonderful success stories of people using time in prison to pursue education, learn new skills, and even earn degrees. But the reality of prison education is a lot more complex than many realise. Between staff shortages, waitlists, and limited resources, accessing appropriate education on the inside can be a minefield. In this episode, guests David Breakspear, peer mentor at Revolving Doors, and Ian Merrill, CEO of Shannon Trust, discuss the challenges facing prison education and why it is essential for promoting independence and improving opportunities for people in prison. David Breakspear @RevDoors Find David's writing, TEDx talk and more here: https://journeyofareformedman.wordpress.com/ Ian Merrill @Shannon_Trust Learn more about Shannon Trust's programmes and sign up to volunteer here: https://www.shannontrust.org.uk/ Transform Justice Website: www.transformjustice.org.ukTwitter: @TransformJust1Email: [email protected] The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Burges Salmon LLP for use of their space.

"Justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done." Lord Hewart's oft-quoted phrase is just as relevant almost 100 years on. In this episode, we ask how transparent justice processes are in two courts - the Court of Protection and the Family Court. Hosts Rob and Penelope are joined by Sanchia Berg, BBC radio correspondent, and Celia Kitzinger, co-director of the Open Justice Court of Protection Project to discuss if and why some cases need to be shielded from public observation, barriers to accessing court hearings, and what could be improved to ensure that justice truly is seen to be done. Sanchia Berg @Sanchia7 Read Sanchia’s article about the pilot scheme for reporting in the family court: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64411229 Celia Kitzinger @KitzingerCelia Read the blog post that started the Open Justice Court of Protection Project here: https://transparencyproject.org.uk/remote-justice-a-family-perspective/ Open Justice Court of Protection Project @OpenJusticeCoP https://openjusticecourtofprotection.org/about/ Transform Justice Website: www.transformjustice.org.ukTwitter: @TransformJust1Email: [email protected] The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Burges Salmon LLP for use of their space.

The notorious Post Office scandal saw a thousand people falsely accused of theft or false accounting because of a known computer system bug. The Post Office itself conducted the investigations and prosecutions which left some of its former employees imprisoned or bankrupt. In this episode, hosts Penelope and Rob are joined by Paul Marshall, barrister, and Richard Moorhead, Professor of Law at Exeter University to discuss how and why these events unfolded and why it took twenty years to uncover the truth. Paul Marshall @cornerstonebarr Read Paul's professional profile here: https://cornerstonebarristers.com/barrister/paul-marshall/ Richard Moorhead @RichardMoorhead Read more of Richard's thoughts here: https://lawyerwatch.wordpress.com/author/lawyerwatch/ Transform Justice Website: www.transformjustice.org.ukTwitter: @TransformJust1Email: [email protected] The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Burges Salmon LLP for use of their space.

More than 12 million people in England and Wales have a criminal record, many for old or minor offences. The vast majority have already moved on with their lives, but for many their criminal record still haunts them, preventing them from gaining employment or developing in their career. In this episode, our hosts Penelope and Rob bring together campaigning expertise from the UK and US contexts to discuss why the criminal records system is unfair and what needs to change. We hear from Jay Jordan, CEO of the Alliance for Safety and Justice in the US, and Chris Stacey, Director of Support and Development at Clinks, about the reality of living with a criminal record and campaigning efforts to build a fairer system on both sides of the pond.Jay Jordan @misterjayjordanFind out more about Jay's work and the Time Done campaign here: https://www.timedone.org/Chris Stacey @ChrisStaceyFind out more about Chris here: https://www.clinks.org/user/117928Further resourcesJoin the FairChecks campaign for criminal records reform here: https://fairchecks.org.uk/Follow the campaign on Twitter @FairChecksTransform JusticeWebsite: www.transformjustice.org.ukTwitter: @TransformJust1Email: [email protected] Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Burges Salmon LLP for use of their space.

Most crime has gone down in recent years, but police have been criticised for not resolving more of the crime that does happen. In this episode, hosts Penelope and Rob ask Richard Horton, retired police officer and prize-winning blogger, and Rick Muir, Director of the Police Foundation, what is preventing police from solving more crime. We discuss over-reliance on the police in cases better addressed by other public services, exacting recording standards, a changing crime landscape, and whether we should reallocate police funding to social services. Richard Horton @iofiv Listen to Richard's Thin Blue Mind podcast here: https://audioboom.com/channels/4785119 View Richard's Night Jack blog archive here: https://web.archive.org/web/20090510125846/http://nightjack.wordpress.com/ Rick Muir @the_police_fdn Read the Police Foundation's strategic review of policing here: https://www.policingreview.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/srpew_final_report.pdf Transform Justice Website: www.transformjustice.org.uk Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: [email protected] The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Burges Salmon LLP for use of their space.

In this episode. we discuss different ways of resolving crime without going to court and ask why these methods are little used or understood despite evidence showing they can have a positive impact on preventing reoffending.Dr Peter Neyroud @pwneyroudLearn more about Peter’s work at https://www.crim.cam.ac.uk/People/peter-neyroudPavan Dhaliwal @RevDoorsVisit the Revolving Doors website for more information and resources https://revolving-doors.org.uk/Transform JusticeWebsite: www.transformjustice.org.ukTwitter: @TransformJust1Email: [email protected] Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Burges Salmon LLP for use of their space.

Should parents be prosecuted when their children miss school? Stories of term-time holidays dominate the news on this subject, but in this episode Rob and Penelope hear from Ellie Costello, Director of Square Peg, and Polly Sweeney of Rook Irwin Sweeney about the reality of persistent absenteeism: chronic illness, waitlists, and impossible attendance expectations. We discuss whether prosecution is the answer when children are frequently absent from school and how law-abiding families can suddenly find themselves facing prosecution while trying to navigate life-changing circumstances such as bereavement and cancer diagnoses. Ellie Costello @teamsquarepeg Learn more about Ellie's work at https://www.teamsquarepeg.org/ Polly Sweeney @polly_sweeney See Polly's bio at https://rookirwinsweeney.co.uk/?specialist=polly-sweeney Further Resources Listen to our dedicated episode on the single justice procedure here: https://anchor.fm/transform-justice/episodes/Ep1-Conveyor-belt-justice-e1jc541/a-a81l1ee Transform Justice Website: www.transformjustice.org.uk Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: [email protected] The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Burges Salmon LLP for use of their space.

Can someone be convicted of murder if they weren't the one who wielded the knife? According to the legal doctrine known as joint enterprise, yes they can. In this episode Rob and Penelope are joined by Jan Cunliffe, Director of campaigning group JENGbA, and Nisha Waller, PhD researcher at the University of Oxford, to explore this controversial common law which can see ten children convicted for a crime carried out by just one of their number. They discuss the types of evidence used to imply guilt in joint enterprise cases, including claims of gang affiliation and lyrics from drill music, and perceived miscarriages of justice resulting from cases which see young boys given life sentences for crimes in which they had little to no involvement. Jan Cunliffe @Jliffe Find out more about Jan and the campaigning group JENGbA at https://jointenterprise.co/ Nisha Waller @NishaWaller4 Read more about Nisha's research at https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/people/nisha-waller-0 Further Resources Read the Centre for Crime and Justice report 'The Usual Suspects' at https://www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/publications/usual-suspects Read a summary of the Jogee supreme court ruling at https://justice.org.uk/r-v-jogee-appellant/ Transform Justice Website: www.transformjustice.org.uk Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: [email protected] The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Burges Salmon LLP for use of their space.

This week rather than talking about people accused or suspected of rule breaking, we ask why most people comply with rules and regulations most of the time. Our hosts Penelope and Rob are joined by Tim Newburn, Professor of Criminology and Social Policy at LSE, and Adam Wagner, barrister at Doughty Street Chambers to discuss the prerequisites for social compliance, how norms such as smoking indoors changed over time, and the challenges presented by Covid-19.  What can the pandemic tell us about public compliance in the UK? Professor Tim Newburn @TimNewburn Tim's book Orderly Britain can be found here: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/tim-newburn/orderly-britain/9781472137968/ Adam Wagner @AdamWagner1 Adam's book Emergency State can be found here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/453539/emergency-state-by-wagner-adam/9781847927460 Further Resources LSE research into Covid-19 compliance following the Dominic Cummings incident: https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/public-compliance-covid19-june/ Transform Justice Website: www.transformjustice.org.uk Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: [email protected] The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Burges Salmon LLP for use of their space.

It may sound like the plot of a Dickens novel, but there are children in the UK who are coerced by adults into performing criminal activity every day. In most cases, this involves children being tasked with selling or delivering illegal drugs. In this episode, our hosts are joined by Aika Stephenson, Legal Director of Just for Kids Law, and Dr Grace Robinson, an expert witness in cases involving child criminal exploitation. They discuss the characteristics that typically make children vulnerable to exploitation, how children are coerced into performing illegal activities, and how the justice system responds to such cases. Aika Stephenson @Justforkidslaw You can find out more about Aika's work, including a recent briefing exploring the relationship between school exclusions and child criminal exploitation, at www.justforkidslaw.org Dr Grace Robinson @DrGraceRobinson You can see some of Grace's recent work, including an article on the impact of Covid-19 on child criminal exploitation, here: https://www.blackboxresearchandconsultancy.com/recent-work Further Resources Crest Advisory report, County Lines: Breaking the Cycle bit.ly/CrestReport Transform Justice Website: www.transformjustice.org.uk Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: [email protected] The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons. With thanks to Burges Salmon LLP for use of their space.