Delivering Excellence in Women’s Justice Services 2026
Past Supporters Include:
Overview:
Women in the criminal justice system face complex and interconnected challenges, including trauma, poor mental health, substance misuse, and unstable housing. For many women, imprisonment disrupts access to support networks, housing, and family connections, increasing the risk of further harm and making long-term rehabilitation more difficult.
Recent government investment to tackle the root causes of women’s offending, alongside recommendations from the Women’s Justice Board, signal a shift toward prevention and community-based solutions. There is growing recognition that short custodial sentences are often ineffective, and that women’s centres, wraparound services, and intensive supervision models can deliver better outcomes while reducing reoffending.
- Two-thirds of women prisoners report being victims of domestic abuse (MoJ, 2025)
- Estimated 17,000 children are affected by their mum going to prison every year (MoJ, 2025)
- 49% of women in prison suffer from both anxiety and depression, compared to 23% of men. (Clinks)
Join us at the Women in Criminal Justice Conference 2026 to hear how services across the system are working to break this cycle. Through expert keynotes and practical case studies, explore how trauma-informed approaches, early intervention, and multi-agency collaboration can support rehabilitation and reduce reoffending.
Why Attend:
✓ High-level keynotes from leading policymakers and practitioners improving outcomes for women in the criminal justice system
✓ Hear the latest national updates and evidence-based approaches to tackling reoffending and safeguarding women
✓ Gain practical tools and strategies to embed trauma-informed practices that consider the complex needs of women in the criminal justice system
✓ Networking opportunities with speakers and senior colleagues across the criminal justice system
✓ 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
Get in Touch
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Professor Tammi Walker, Professor of Forensic Psychology, Durham University (invited)
Keynote: The Future for Women in the Criminal Justice System: Reducing Women’s Imprisonment
- Outlining government priorities on diversion and reducing custody
- Implementing recommendations from the Women’s Justice Board including the implementation of a Women’s Justice Reform Programme and taking a whole system approach
- Expanding community-based alternatives and women’s centres
- Strategies for measuring success and system accountability
Kate Osamor MP, Chair, Women Affected by the Criminal Justice System APPG (invited)
Keynote: Taking A Whole System Approach to Improve Outcomes for Women Impacted by the CJS
- Understanding how to effectively align policing, probation, health, housing, and voluntary sector services around women’s needs
- Moving from fragmented provision to coordinated, person-centred pathways that support women at every stage of the system
- Practical examples of multi-agency models that improve engagement, reduce reoffending, and deliver better long-term outcomes
- Overcoming common barriers, including data sharing, accountability, and siloed working
Liz Mack, Chief Executive Officer, Advance Charity (invited)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Case Study: Tackling Racial and Structural Inequalities in the Criminal Justice System
- Understanding how racial and structural inequalities shape women’s experiences of the criminal justice system
- Examining how intersecting factors such as race, trauma, migration status, and socioeconomic disadvantage impact outcomes for women
- Improving culturally competent, trauma-informed practice across policing, probation, health, and women’s services
- Identifying practical approaches to reduce disparity, improve trust, and ensure equitable access to support
Dr Baljit Banga, CEO, Hibiscus Initiatives (invited)
Keynote: Delivering Gender-Specific and Trauma-Informed Justice Responses
- Understanding the links between victimisation and offending, including the impact of domestic and sexual abuse, coercion, and exploitation
- Recognising the impact of motherhood and caring responsibilities as a critical factor in understanding offending, engagement with services, and rehabilitation outcomes
- Exploring how trauma, inequality, and unmet needs shape pathways into the criminal justice system
- Delivering tailored support that reflects the specific needs and lived experiences of women
Senior Representative, One Small Thing (invited)
Questions & Answers
Lunch Break
Breakout Networking: Working Collaboratively to Improve Outcomes for Women in the Criminal Justice System
Panel: Diversion: Keeping Women out of Prison
- Exploring the role of diversion in reducing women’s imprisonment and preventing unnecessary entry into custody
- Understanding decision-making at key points, including first contact, charging, and sentencing
- Examining the effectiveness of police-led, court-based, and community diversion pathways
- The role of women’s centres and voluntary sector services in delivering alternatives to custody
- Addressing challenges in access, consistency, and referral thresholds across different regions
- Identifying opportunities to scale diversion and embed it within a whole-system approach
Joy Doal, CEO, Anawim (CONFIRMED)
Dr Tom McNeil, CEO, The JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls and member, Women’s Justice Board (invited)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Case Study: Skills and Employment: Supporting Sustainable Rehabilitation
- Understanding the role of skills, training, and employment in reducing reoffending and supporting long-term independence
- Addressing barriers to employment, including criminal records, gaps in work history, confidence, and caring responsibilities
- Delivering tailored, gender-responsive training, education, and employability programmes
- Building effective partnerships with employers, training providers, and voluntary sector organisations
- Measuring outcomes beyond job entry, including retention, well-being, and reduced reoffending
Aoibhinn O’Sullivan, Service Lead, Working Chance (invited)
Case Study: Housing and Reintegration: Breaking the Cycle of Reoffending
- Outlining the role of stable accommodation in reducing reoffending
- Understanding the relationship between homelessness and rough sleeping and offending
- Multi-agency approaches to resettlement and service engagement
- strategies for supporting long-term independence and recovery
Zoë Garbett, Chair, Housing Committee and Member, London Assembly (invited)
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Conference Close
Previous Speakers Include:
Professor Melissa Hamilton
Professor of Law and Criminal Justice
University of Surrey
Anna Mullaney
Female Offenders & Health Policy Team
Ministry of Justice
Indy Cross
Chief Executive
Agenda Alliance
Liz Mack
Chief Executive Officer
Advance
Testimonials
The online platform was exceptional. The guest speakers were professional and informative; hearing from lived experience was inspiring and motivating.
This conference powerfully highlighted the challenges women face in and beyond the criminal justice system, while offering practical examples of effective, trauma‑informed support. It was encouraging to see so many organisations driving change and advocating for a more compassionate, system‑wide approach. With a strong mix of speakers from policing, health and community organisations, the conference gave a truly rounded perspective. Excellent content and chairing throughout.
A well-organised event with informative speakers. All raised awareness of the challenges for women in the CJS.
Powerful presentations delivered by women who have experienced the criminal justice system.
Why You Should Attend
Why Attend:
✓High-level keynotes from leading policymakers and practitioners improving outcomes for women in the criminal justice system
✓ Hear the latest national updates and evidence-based approaches to tackling reoffending and safeguarding women
✓ Gain practical tools and strategies to embed trauma-informed practices that consider the complex needs of women in the criminal justice system
✓ Networking opportunities with speakers and senior colleagues across the criminal justice system
✓ 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
Who Should Attend?
| Job Title Examples | Organisation Examples |
| Police Officer | Police Force |
| Service Leads | NHS |
| Counsellor | Schools |
| Youth Justice Worker | Charities |
| Safeguarding Lead | Youth Justice Service |
| Social Worker | |
| Probation Officer | |
| Housing Officer |
Pricing Options
PRIVATE SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
PUBLIC SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.
Sponsorship
Raise your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business
If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE
IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.
Virtual vs F2F
Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:
- Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
- Lower sponsorship package costs
- No travel/accommodation
- Less time out of the office
- No stand materials required (lower costs)
- 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
- Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
- Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
- Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)
To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below:
