Long term investment, joined-up working and co-production with lived-experience women is now needed to truly change the justice system for women
Lilly Lewis, Women’s Involvement Advisor, One Small Thing
In her next blog, Lilly discusses the recently published Women’s Justice Board report, welcoming the shift to early intervention, prevention, and diversion to stop women with multiple unmet needs from reaching crisis point and falling through the gaps of a broken system. She strongly backs ending the imprisonment of pregnant women except in extreme cases, but warns that a real change in mindset depends on long term investment, joined-up working and co-production with women who have lived-experience of the justice system. Otherwise, there’s a real risk this becomes another report that doesn’t lead to change.
As One Small Things Women’s Involvement Advisor, and as someone with lived experience, reading the Women’s Justice Board recommendations felt both positive and needed. A lot of what’s in the report isn’t new - it’s what women have been saying for years.
I’ve seen how women end up in the justice system, and it’s rarely about one thing. It’s trauma, poverty, mental health, domestic abuse - these layers build up over time. Support only comes once things have already reached crisis point – we urgently need this to change. We need to be less reactive and more proactive. That’s why the focus on early intervention, prevention and diversion stands out the most. If this was properly funded and prioritised, it could make an immediate difference.
“The reality is, many women don’t need to be in the justice system at all they need support, earlier. The right support, at the right time, in the community. Gender specific in a trauma conscious way.”
But that’s also where one of the biggest barriers sits. Prevention has never been the priority. Systems are set up to respond to crisis, not prevent it. Prevention takes long-term thinking, investment and joined up working and because it doesn’t always deliver quick, visible results, it often gets overlooked. Meanwhile, women with multiple unmet needs continue to fall through the gaps.
The report’s focus on an anti-racist, intersectional approach is also critical. Being a black woman with experience of the justice system I have felt first-hand how you are treated differently from white women from arrest to court and then whilst In prison. In practice, that means recognising that women are not all starting from the same place, and they don’t experience the system in the same way. It means listening properly to women from different backgrounds, challenging bias, and making sure services are accessible, inclusive, and culturally competent. Not as an add-on but as a core part of how things are designed and delivered.
I also strongly support the recommendation to end the imprisonment of pregnant women except in the most exceptional circumstances. To make that happen, there needs to be real investment in community alternatives to provide safe housing, healthcare, and specialist, trauma-informed support. Alternatives to custody, such as our Hope Street model, should be replicated in all cities. But more than that, it requires a shift in mindset. Custody should not be the default.
Do I feel hopeful? Yes. It’s encouraging to see these recommendations set out so clearly, and they reflect what many women with lived experience have been calling for over a long time. But hope depends on action. Less talking more doing. Without proper funding, accountability and follow-through, there’s a real risk this becomes another report that doesn’t lead to change.
What gives me hope is that lived experience is being recognised as essential, not optional. But this must go further than being heard it must shape decisions. True coproduction, not just consultation.
At the end of the day, this isn’t just about systems or policy. It’s about women’s lives - we should expect better and do better.
