Ep65: Prison in the community - probation in crisis?
New policy will funnel more people into the probation system. But after multiple restructures, and with recall rates soaring, will the syste...
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The Transform Justice Podcast
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...
Episodes
20 of 65 episodesEp64: Escaping the prison capacity "doom loop"
“Doom loop” - a damning description of the prison capacity crisis, delivered by the Lord Chancellor himself. From deporting foreign prisoner...
Ep63: Appropriately supported? Vulnerability in police custody
Suspects can be held in police custody for up to 24 hours - and sometimes longer. During this time, they may be questioned by police. But wh...
Ep62: The longest sentence - children serving life
Imagine spending longer in prison than you've been alive. For children handed a life sentence, this can be the reality. Penelope and Rob are...
Ep61: Policing drugs - instinct or evidence?
Should ‘gut feeling’ be used to make decisions in drugs policing? In this episode, Rob and Penelope are joined by Dr Bisi Akintoye, lecturer...
Ep60: Do the children on remand need to be there?
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 l...
Ep59: The Southport Inquiry - where does the buck stop?
In July 2024, a tragic attack in Southport claimed the lives of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice da Silva Aguiar and irreparably ha...
Ep58: CourtWatch 2.0 - making sense of the magistrates' court
Are court staff welcoming? Can defendants participate effectively? How is anyone supposed to follow legal jargon? We're back with more insig...
Ep57: Tackling the taboo of sex offending
When someone commits a sexual offence, the punishment often extends far beyond the sentence—shaping their lives, and the lives of those arou...
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 re...
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 shap...
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 rehabilitat...
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...
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 i...
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 host...
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 f...
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 of...
Ep48: First or last resort? The misuse of child imprisonment
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...
Ep47: The sentencing review - an end to the arms race?
The long-awaited final report of David Gauke's sentencing review was published on 22nd May 2025. In this episode, Penelope and Rob are joine...
Ep46: Shabana Mahmood vs. The Sentencing Council
Does equality before the law mean treating everyone the same? Sparks have flown in recent weeks as Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood and Lord...