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 th ..read more

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 expl ..read more

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 thoug ..read more

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 ..read more

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 Sy ..read more

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 witnes ..read more

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, S ..read more

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 pres ..read more

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 u ..read more

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 feel ..read more