Advertise on podcast: JUSTICE with prison philanthropist Edwina Grosvenor

In this episode, we hear from Anouschka Rajah, Research and Analysis Manager at More in Common and joint author of the 2025 Course Correction report on public attitudes to criminal justice. More in Common was founded in the aftermath of the tragic murder of Jo Cox MP in 2016 and carries out public opinion research to inform politicians, policy makers and the media on how communities across the country view major issues facing society, including crime and justice.    Anouschka talks about the backlash politicians fear from the public by pushing ahead with reforms to the current justice system - they fear losing voters who will criticise changes they're announcing for being too soft on crime. She explains how being seen to be supporting anything other than the current status quo, or what is seen as public opinion, has the potential to create an electoral “nightmare”. She reminds politicians that “Twitter is not Britain” and that research shows the public are in fact a lot more nuanced than they get credit for.   Edwina and Anouschka agree the public have lost faith in the current system and talk about how most people don't want money to be spent on just building more prisons.  They discuss the complexity of public opinions on crime and punishment, noting that the media often focuses on extreme cases with the debate appearing to be polarised. However, Anouschka confirms that focus groups show people actually want a case-by-case approach to sentencing - recognising the need for rehabilitative measures whilst also considering public safety. Women, especially mothers with families, are more likely to receive support for community sentences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we hear from Dame Vera Baird about how to harness momentum following the publication of the Women’s Justice Board report in March. Dame Vera explains why she is optimistic for the future of women’s justice and calls for a co-ordinated approach involving multiple government departments and the commitment of key ministers to take reforms forward.   In this discussion, Edwina and Vera talk about the urgent need to address the root causes of women's involvement in the justice system, such as domestic and sexual abuse. Vera describes how a future Women's Justice Board should be set up in a similar way to the Youth Justice Board - one which is permanently in place and has its own statutory responsibilities for shaping the approach of the criminal justice system to women - in exactly the same way that the YJB has successfully done.   Dame Vera reflects on her extensive career working in criminal justice with roles including Victims’ Commissioner, Solicitor General and Police & Crime Commissioner for Northumbria. She discusses her early career as a barrister, where she rarely represented women, and her transition to handling domestic abuse cases, particularly those involving women who fought back against abusive partners.   Moving forward, they discuss the importance of working with the Judicial College and Government so magistrates’ courts become a court of record and that magistrates are trained on the new sentencing powers under the Sentencing Act, so that decisions can be properly reviewed and magistrates are held to account.   LinkedIn accounts to tag are: @verabaird Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Edwina speaks to Jacob Dunne about his journey from prison to becoming a leading voice in criminal justice reform. They talk about his phenomenal memoir Right From Wrong, which was turned into the Olivier award winning play Punch (www.punchtheplay.com) by James Graham (@misterjamesgraham).   Jacob discusses the challenges of being labelled as an ex-offender and the importance of not judging people based on their past. He describes how he wanted Punch to be the most socially impactful play of all time and it would be a “dream come true” if he could persuade the Department for Education to make it part of the curriculum. Jacob explains that the profits from the play are going towards an adapted schools version that will tour hundreds of schools in 2027.    Jacob also reflects on joining Common Ground Justice Project as a co-founder last year, to help create the space for a more constructive public conversation on justice—one rooted in common sense, common decency, and common ground - rather than ideology. Together Edwina and Jacob explore the importance of listening to different perspectives to achieve a more balanced debate, one that values both the voices of victims and those with experience of the criminal justice system. www.commongroundjustice.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we hear from Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester responsible for safer and stronger communities. In this discussion, Edwina and Kate explore how Greater Manchester is reshaping its response to domestic abuse and housing. Kate outlines an innovative housing scheme that protects survivors’ priority on social housing lists when they move across Greater Manchester, and new orders that enables survivors to stay in the family home while perpetrators are housed elsewhere.   Edwina and Kate discuss gender‑based violence, youth offending, the distinct challenges faced by women in the criminal justice system, and the system‑wide reforms required to address them. Kate discusses the inclusive 10‑year gender-based violence strategy, early intervention with children and young people, Housing First for women leaving prison, and a whole system diversion approach that tackles the root causes of women’s involvement in the justice system through housing, substance use support, employment support and peer mentoring.   Kate also reflects on the profound impact of maternal imprisonment on children, the success of family drug and alcohol courts, and how the mayoral model in Greater Manchester enables police, housing, probation and other services to work together to create safer, more supportive communities, offering a blueprint that could be replicated across the country. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the stigma associated with being a woman in prison with Jules Rowan, the co-host of the Life After Prison podcast. In this discussion Edwina and Jules discuss the barriers women face when they leave prison and the systematic change needed on fundamental issues such as housing for women in contact with the justice system. Jules’ describes her journey from serving a prison sentence to becoming a personal trainer and talks about how the justice system is a scary and lonely place to be at the age of 19 with minimal legal help or understanding of the system. They discuss how important it is to empower women to be able to tell their own story - in order to shift the stigma and re-define their journey - which in so many cases includes childhood trauma, abuse, substance use, lack of support and poverty.   @julesrowan @afterprisonpod @zakarriyahkhalil7 @prisonradiouk   Linked in Jules Rowan Prison Radio Association Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the impact of your mum being sent to prison in discussion with Naz Shah, MP for Bradford West, who has just published her memoir ‘Honoured’. The book describes her violent childhood, forced marriage at 15, her mother's imprisonment for murder and the campaign for her release - which she successfully led whilst looking after her brother and sister. In this discussion, Naz reflects on her memories of early childhood and her mother's efforts to provide for the family, including feeding them every evening and providing treats like biscuits and tea – despite suffering ongoing physical and emotional abuse.   In this discussion Edwina and Naz address the on-going systemic failures in supporting children of imprisoned mothers and debate how the justice system must be re-designed to support women to maintain relationships with their children through community alternatives to custody when it’s safe to do so. Naz talks about the impact of her mother's imprisonment on her own life and the importance of understanding the systemic issues faced by women in prison – many of whom are themselves victims of abuse. This episode asks what more can be done to support women, mothers and families who are impacted by the justice system.   LinkedIn accounts to tag: @NazShahMP   Instagram accounts to tag are: @nazshahbfd @wnbooks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore what the public think and feel about crime and justice, with Dr Tom McNeil, CEO of The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls and former Assistant Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands. In this discussion Edwina and Tom look at how attitudes are shaped not just by facts, but by media coverage, political messaging, personal experience, and powerful emotions like fear, anger, and empathy.   We hear about the links between trauma, poverty, abuse and women’s involvement in the justice system, and why understanding these pathways matters for shaping fairer and more effective responses to crime. The conversation also touches on bias in how women are judged, the impact of sending primary carers to prison, and the limits of imprisonment as a solution.   More broadly, the episode asks what it would take to have higher-quality public debate about crime – including better public education, more honest political leadership, and a media and social media environment that supports, rather than distorts, informed discussion.   Dr Tom McNeil has written a book, Public Opinion on Crime: Message Framing and Deliberative Democracy for a Progressive Consensus. You can access it for free here: https://jabbswomenandgirls.org.uk/resources/open-access-book-public-opinion-on-crime/   Learn more about The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls: https://jabbswomenandgirls.org.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the third episode of a three-part Justice Podcast series in partnership with Daddyless Daughters and Power Play Productions which centres the voices of women from Holloway, including powerful letters that were written and recorded as part of the Layers exhibition.  In this episode we hear from women who have been in Holloway and wrote about motherhood as part of the layers exhibition including Kat and Emily. We thank them and all the talented women whose writing we have showcased throughout this series. Hosted by Lilly Lewis, Women’s Involvement Advisor at One Small Thing, each episode includes an introductory discussion with one of the Creative Directors of the Layers exhibition and Founder and CEO of Daddyless Daughters Aliyah Ali.  The series is being released alongside the release of the documentary ‘Holloway’ by Power Play Productions in screenings across the country this month, giving a further platform to the many women who wished to share their stories and reflections on Holloway prison and how the justice system should be reformed. To book your tickets for screening near you visit: www.hollowayfilm.com More information about Daddyless Daughters can be found here: https://www.daddylessdaughters.co.uk/  More information about Power Play Productions can be found here: https://www.powerplayproductions.org/  Twitter - @OSTCharity This podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the second episode of a three-part Justice Podcast series in partnership with Daddyless Daughters and Power Play Productions which centres the voices of women from Holloway, including powerful letters that were written and recorded as part of the Layers exhibition.  In this episode we hear from women who wrote letters to their younger self. Looking back from all the knowledge they now have, what advice or thoughts would they share with themselves?  We hear from Ashsa, Toyah and Sara who all wrote powerful letter to their younger selves as part of the layers exhibition. We thank them for sharing these incredible insights. Hosted by Lilly Lewis, Women’s Involvement Advisor at One Small Thing, each episode includes an introductory discussion with one of the Creative Directors of the Layers exhibition and Founder and CEO of Daddyless Daughters Aliyah Ali.  The series is being released alongside the release of the documentary ‘Holloway’ by Power Play Productions in screenings across the country this month, giving a further platform to the many women who wished to share their stories and reflections on Holloway prison and how the justice system should be reformed. To book your tickets for screening near you visit: www.hollowayfilm.com More information about Daddyless Daughters can be found here: https://www.daddylessdaughters.co.uk/  More information about Power Play Productions can be found here: https://www.powerplayproductions.org/  Twitter - @OSTCharity This podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the first episode of a three-part Justice Podcast series in partnership with Daddyless Daughters and Power Play Productions which centres the voices of women from Holloway, including powerful letters that were written and recorded as part of the Layers exhibition.  In this episode we have grouped together letters that women wrote about how the justice system should be reformed. The letters were written by Katy Nuala, Beryl and Lucy. Hosted by Lilly Lewis, Women’s Involvement Advisor at One Small Thing, each episode includes an introductory discussion with one of the Creative Directors of the Layers exhibition and Founder and CEO of Daddyless Daughters Aliyah Ali.  The series is being released alongside the release of the documentary ‘Holloway’ by Power Play Productions in screenings across the country this month, giving a further platform to the many women who wished to share their stories and reflections on Holloway prison and how the justice system should be reformed. To book your tickets for screening near you visit: www.hollowayfilm.com More information about Daddyless Daughters can be found here: https://www.daddylessdaughters.co.uk/  More information about Power Play Productions can be found here: https://www.powerplayproductions.org/  Twitter - @OSTCharity This podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we look back to 2023’s Motherhood in the Justice System Series when we explored the issues and challenges mothers in the justice system face, and what needs to change. Maternal health was a key feature in the series including a focus on experiences of pregnancy, birth and the post-natal period.   In this episode we bring together the voices of two guests in this series. Dr Laura Abbott is a registered midwife and Associate Professor in Research at The University of Hertfordshire, who has extensively researched women’s experiences of pregnancy in criminal justice settings. We also hear from Dr Miranda Davies who leads prisoner health research at the Nuffield Trust - this body of work is the first time routine hospital data at a national level has been used to describe how often prisoners use hospital services and for what reasons.   Please note this episode contains discussion of traumatic births and infant mortality that some listeners may find upsetting.    Explore Dr Laura Abbott’s research: https://researchprofiles.herts.ac.uk/en/persons/laura-abbott/projects/ , and the Lost Mothers Project https://lostmothers.org/ Find Dr Laura Abbott on X (formerly Twitter) or Bluesky @midwifeteacher Read the Nuffield Trust’s report ‘Inequality on the inside: Using hospital data to understand the key health care issues for women in prison’ Twitter - @OSTCharity This podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Lilly Lewis, Women’s Involvement Advisor at One Small Thing speaks to Stephanie Bechelet and Thea Arch from Brainkind.   Last month Brainkind released a report which found that 80% of women in the criminal justice system in Wales may be living with a brain injury. Alongside this they found the women in the study had complex health needs, frequently reporting histories of domestic abuse, substance misuse, and mental and physical health issues.   Lilly speaks to Stephanie and Thea about this important research, as well as their wider work on brain injury for women who have experienced domestic abuse.   Please note this episode contains description of abuse and violence and its impact on women’s lives.   To read the full report visit: https://brainkind.org/complex-lives/   Find out more about the work of Brainkind: https://brainkind.org/ Twitter - @OSTCharity This podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite the fact that 51% of the population will experience menopause, and the estimated 13 million people who are currently peri or menopausal in the UK, the topic of menopause has remained taboo. In 2022 I was delighted to speak to two advocates driving change in the national conversation around menopause on their experience of this transition, and what needs to change to ensure more women have access to the support they need – including those in the justice system.   I spoke with Davina McCall, renowned TV presenter and household name who has presented documentaries about the menopause and is author of Menopausing, The Positive Roadmap to Your Second Spring which seeks to debunk myths, and break the shameful silence over the menopause. I was also joined by Carolyn Harris, MP for Swansea East who established the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on menopause and has played a pivotal role in putting menopause on the national agenda.   More information: Read the APPG on Menopause Inquiry to assess the impacts of menopause and the case for policy reform: https://menopause-appg.co.uk/inquiry/ Read Menopausing, The Positive Roadmap to Your Second Spring, by Davina McCall and Dr. Naomi Potter: https://www.waterstones.com/book/menopausing/davina-mccall/dr-naomi-potter/9780008517786 Twitter - @OSTCharity This podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Edwina looks back to 2021 and 2022 when she interviewed representatives from two women’s organisation who provide specific tailored substance use support to women.   She spoke with Hannah Shead, CEO of Trevi, the only UK residential rehabilitation centre exclusively for mothers and their children, and Jo-Anne Welsh, former CEO of The Oasis Project which provides women-specific services and a trauma-informed approach to substance misuse treatment.   Discussions include the barriers women face accessing appropriate treatment within prison and the community and why services like Trevi and The Oasis Project are so important.   To learn more about the work of Trevi visit: https://www.trevi.org.uk   Learn more about The Oasis Project: https://www.oasisproject.org.uk/ Twitter - @OSTCharity This podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we explore diversion schemes for women, and what role they play in preventing women from being unnecessarily drawn further into the criminal justice system. Edwina speaks to Pamela Price South London Women's Hubs Manager, and Miranda Dobson Head of Communications from Women in Prison (WIP) to learn more about the diversion scheme they run in South London, linked to their women’s centres. The programme aims to provide early intervention and support for women who have been taken into police custody, addressing underlying issues such as housing, poverty, and substance use.   This episode highlights the challenges faced by women in the criminal justice system, including the stigma and shame associated with criminalisation, particularly for mothers, and explores the positive outcomes diversion schemes can have – such as improvements in mental health, relationships, and well-being.    Learn more about the work of Women in Prison here: www.womeninprison.org.uk Follow them on X @WIP_live, on Instagram @womeninprisonuk, and on LinkedIn @Women in Prison. Twitter - @OSTCharity This podcast is created and produced by The London Podcast Company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.