JUSTICE with prison philanthropist Edwina Grosvenor

One Small Thing
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Welcome to JUSTICE, a podcast brought to you by the charity One Small Thing. New voices and intelligent discussion around criminal justice, with founder and prison philanthropist Edwina Grosvenor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Jul 8

    Influencing the political and public debate on crime

    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.

    Influencing the political and public debate on crime

  2. Jun 24

    Harnessing momentum: 20 years since the Corston report was commissioned and what’s really changed?

    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.

    Harnessing momentum: 20 years since the Corston report was commissioned and what’s really changed?

  3. Jun 10

    Finding common ground in justice reform

    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.

    Finding common ground in justice reform

  4. May 27

    Community approaches to housing and the local narrative

    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.

    Community approaches to housing and the local narrative

  5. May 13

    Overcoming stigma

    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.

    Overcoming stigma

  6. Apr 29

    Reflections on maternal separation through imprisonment

    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.

    Reflections on maternal separation through imprisonment

  7. Apr 15

    Shifting public attitudes to justice, with Dr Tom McNeil

    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.

    Shifting public attitudes to justice, with Dr Tom McNeil

  8. 07/17/2025

    Voices from Holloway: Motherhood in the justice system

    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.

    Voices from Holloway: Motherhood in the justice system
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Welcome to JUSTICE, a podcast brought to you by the charity One Small Thing. New voices and intelligent discussion around criminal justice, with founder and prison philanthropist Edwina Grosvenor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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