The Transform Justice Podcast

Transform Justice
  • 5.0 (2)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

The Transform Justice podcast throws light on the hidden corners of the criminal justice system. Each episode, we focus on one aspect of the justice system and ask if it’s fair and what can be done to make it better. Transform Justice is a national charity working for a fair, humane, open and effective justice system. Website: www.transformjustice.org.uk Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: policy@transformjustice.org.uk The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

  1. FEB 6

    Ep56: Restorative justice - bringing the humanity back to justice

    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 @PaulKohlerSW19 MP 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/10027822 Lucy Jaffe Former 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-policy Further Resources Find 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 Justice Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠@TransformJust1⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky: ⁠⁠⁠@transformjustice.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠policy@transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

    34 min

  2. JAN 8

    Ep55: Justice wrapped 2025 - looking back, thinking ahead

    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 Resources Read David Gauke's Independent Sentencing Review, part 1: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67c583a868a61757838d2196/independent-sentencing-review-part-1-report.pdf Read David Gauke's Independent Sentencing Review, part 2: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/682d8d995ba51be7c0f45371/independent-sentencing-review-report-part_2.pdf Read 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.pdf Transform Justice Twitter: ⁠⁠@TransformJust1⁠ ⁠⁠⁠BlueSky: ⁠⁠@transformjustice.bsky.social⁠⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠policy@transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

    34 min

  3. 12/12/2025

    Ep54: Rehabilitation in prison - reality or rhetoric?

    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 Brierley Find Andi's memoir here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Honour-Can-Tell-Story/dp/1909976644 Andrea Coomber Read more about The Howard League's concerns: https://howardleague.org/why-are-prisons-overcrowded/ Further Resources Read 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.html Transform Justice Twitter: ⁠@TransformJust1 ⁠BlueSky: ⁠@transformjustice.bsky.social⁠ Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠policy@transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

    34 min

  4. 11/14/2025

    Ep53: Hanging up the high vis? Protesters on trial

    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 @acmogan Find out more about Audrey's work at Garden Chambers here: https://gardencourtchambers.co.uk/barrister/audrey-cherryl-mogan/ Sarah Lunnon @slunnon Further resources Read the parliamentary briefing on police powers regarding protest: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn05013/ Transform Justice Twitter: @TransformJust1BlueSky: @transformjustice.bsky.socialEmail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠policy@transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

    35 min

  5. 10/16/2025

    Ep52: Locked in limbo - the forgotten IPP prisoners

    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 Morris Read 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 Parris Read Matthew's work here: https://www.thetimes.com/profile/matthew-parris Further resources Read the parliamentary briefing on IPP sentences: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn06086/ Transform Justice Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 BlueSky: @transformjustice.bsky.social Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠policy@transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

    31 min

  6. 09/18/2025

    Ep51: Punished for surviving? Women in the prison system

    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 Waite Find our more about Sarah's work and see her latest publications here: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/staff/dr-sarah-waite/ Lucy Campbell Learn more about Lucy's arts organisation here: https://www.flipofthecoin.scot/ Further resources Learn more about problem-solving courts for women: https://clinks.org/publication/problem-solving-courts-women Transform Justice Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 BlueSky: @transformjustice.bsky.social Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠policy@transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

    34 min

  7. 08/22/2025

    Ep50: Trial or treatment? Mental health in criminal justice

    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 Hillier Find out more about Bradley here: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/psychiatry/forensic-psychiatry/real-life-story-dr-brad-hillier Rhona Friedman Find out more about Rhona's innovative firm Commons Legal here: https://www.commons.legal/ Transform Justice Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 BlueSky: @transformjustice.bsky.social Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠policy@transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

    34 min

  8. 07/25/2025

    Ep49: Punished for a mistake? The Single Justice Procedure

    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 @PenelopeGibbs2 Read Penelope's report on the Single Justice Procedure here: http://bit.ly/4o5bOjG Kirsty Brimelow KC @Kirsty_Brimelow Find out more about Kirsty's work here: https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/barristers/kirsty-brimelow-kc Transform Justice Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: @TransformJust1 BlueSky: @transformjustice.bsky.social Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠policy@transformjustice.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

    34 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Transform Justice podcast throws light on the hidden corners of the criminal justice system. Each episode, we focus on one aspect of the justice system and ask if it’s fair and what can be done to make it better. Transform Justice is a national charity working for a fair, humane, open and effective justice system. Website: www.transformjustice.org.uk Twitter: @TransformJust1 Email: policy@transformjustice.org.uk The Transform Justice podcast is hosted by Penelope Gibbs and Rob Allen and produced and edited by Alexandra Kimmons.

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