Finding Rhythms uses music as a catalyst to empower people to improve their lives. They deliver creative projects in prisons and in the community, supporting people at risk of offending to rebuild their confidence, strengthen their sense of belonging and experience a shift in how they see themselves. Led by professional musicians, participants collaborate to write, record and release original music – telling their stories, often for the first time.
Christina is a prison researcher interested in the topics of love and prison reform. She is currently involved in a study about debt in prison on behalf of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), working with Dr Kate Gooch (PI) at the University of Bath. In her own research she is currently exploring alternative prison set-ups (e.g. the APAC in Brazil and Europe).
End Violence Against Women Coalition (EVAW) are a group of feminist organisations and experts from across the UK, working to end violence against women and girls in all its forms. Made up of specialist women’s support services, researchers, activists, survivors and NGOs, they believe that violence against women is not inevitable and work to tear up the systems that enable it and build a fairer world in its place.
The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies stand for a fair, effective and accountable justice system, in a society less dominated by criminalisation and punishment, because it has developed better ways of preventing and addressing the problems of crime.
It creates lively spaces for collaboration and learning, where conventional criminal justice policy agendas are scrutinised and challenged, fresh knowledge and ideas are discussed, and transformational solutions are developed.
The Prison Phoenix Trust supports the wellbeing and rehabilitation of people in prison through mindful yoga and meditation. It supports people in more than 200 prisons and other secure establishments in the UK and Ireland and is in direct contact with around 5% of the prison population.
Prisoners Abroad is a UK-based charity that protects, supports and advocates for the health, welfare and human rights of British citizens in prison overseas and on return to the UK. They assist British citizens during their imprisonment, providing humanitarian aid, advice and emotional support, supporting them to rebuild their lives and desist from crime after release and return to the UK, and they also support their families throughout the trauma. Prisoners Abroad champions people that have been in prison overseas and their families, drawing on their experiences and insight to advocate for improvements in policy and practice.
Ruth Sellin is a PhD student and Associate Lecturer at the University of Lincoln. Their doctoral work is exploring the gender-responsiveness if the criminal justice system, specifically in the case of women victim-offenders. To this end, she is conducting interviews with women victim-offenders, as well as police officers, lawyers and practitioners who all have experience with women victim-offenders in the CJS. Ruth’s aim is to provide a cohesive view of the issues and barriers this cohort faces in the CJS due to their dual experience of victimisation and criminalisation.
Through vocational training opportunities, resources and environments that support rehabilitation, UpCycle help individuals rewrite their stories and reclaim their lives. UpCycle run bike maintenance programmes for at-risk and marginalised youth across the Bradford area and in seven prisons and young offenders institutions across the UK.
The JABBS Foundation is a philanthropic charity that supports women, girls, their families and their communities. We have a particular focus on women and girls who have had contact with the criminal justice system or are at risk of having contact, recognising this is often due to systemic disadvantage.
Flora is a HCPC registered forensic psychologist, evidence-based practice specialist, and founding partner of KTA Research and Consulting Her career spans over 20 years with HMPPS where she facilitated offending behaviour programmes, and provided psychological consultancy. Later, as Evidence Lead in HMPPS’s Evidence-Based Practice Team, she worked with senior leaders, policymakers, and frontline staff to embed evidence-based practice across the service, including prisons, probation and youth custody. Flora has published widely on topics such as prison culture, procedural justice, and electronic monitoring. Since January 2022, Flora has also served as Editor of the Prison Service Journal, a peer-reviewed publication promoting discussions on prison and criminal justice issues.
The National Black Police Association (NBPA) aims to improve the working conditions of Black staff within the UK police service, protect their rights, and promote racial harmony. Its mission is to support fair and equitable policing for all communities, with a focus on enhancing race relations and equality of opportunity. The NBPA drives initiatives like mentoring, leadership programs, and projects for women in policing, while maintaining a strong presence in government committees and police stakeholder meetings. It ensures transparency and accountability in its efforts to address the alarming loss of Black staff from the police service.
Hestia provides housing and support across London and the surrounding regions, with a large portion of supported housing for those with experience of the criminal justice system
Centre for Women’s Justice (CWJ) is a legal charity which aims to hold the state to account and challenge discrimination in the justice system around male violence against women and girls.
The Arukah Project has developed a groundbreaking model of support which is rooted in understanding how trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can lead to high-risk behaviours and make it difficult for individuals to engage with essential services.
Arukah’s model focuses on developing emotional competence to empower individuals to engage with vital services, creating a new approach to healing and recovery. They integrate Trauma-Informed Care, which emphasizes safety, trust, empowerment, collaboration, and cultural sensitivity. Their work is particularly impactful within the criminal justice system, helping individuals break free from cycles of incarceration and addiction by addressing the root causes of their behaviour.
Additionally, they support organisations in becoming trauma-informed, promoting employee well-being and resilience, which leads to better productivity and morale.
Onwards and Upwards aims to break the cycle of reoffending by launching and growing sustainable social ventures that mentor, train, and employ prison leavers. They aim to create ventures that are trusted brands, and small, beautiful and loud businesses. They mean to prove that employing people with lived experience makes business sense, thereby encouraging more employers to do so.
A Life of Choices works with people in prison on long-term sentences by delivering creative coaching programmes that promote their mental wellbeing and cutting down on violence. The organisation aims to break cycles of violence and injustice by also providing support to individuals who are impacted by the criminal justice system.
The unseen Victims Project has been created to support the hundreds of thousands of people who will find themselves supporting a loved one on a journey through the UK Criminal Justice system, every year. They encourage encourage proactive and reactive approaches to the multifaceted challenges and stigmas that Unseen Victims face on these journeys.
David’s doctoral research centres around the use of AI and emerging technologies in the criminal justice systems of both England and Wales and Japan. He has had long term involvement in the criminal justice system in England and Wales as a practitioner and trade union activist, and more recently as a policy lead.