Women in the Criminal Justice System Conference 2025: Providing Comprehensive Support to Ensure Rehabilitation and Prevent Reoffending
Past and Present Supporters Include:
Overview:
In January 2025, the Women’s Justice Board was launched with the aim of reducing the number of women in prison and transforming the way the justice system addresses the distinct experiences and needs of women. While women represent just a small proportion of those in custody, they face disproportionate harm, more complex needs, and a higher likelihood of being victims of serious violence, abuse, and coercion. Providing the necessary support that considers their unique experiences is essential to maintaining their wellbeing and facilitating rehabilitation.
- Females had a higher average number of reoffences per reoffender compared to males, at 4.38 and 4.04, respectively (Ministry of Justice, 2025)
- Only 47% left prison in the year to March 2024 to settled accommodation (Prison Reform Trust, 2025)
- More than 60 per cent of women in prison have experienced domestic violence and more than half have experienced abuse as a child ((Ministry of Justice, 2024)
Join us a the Women in Criminal Justice Conference 2025 to hear the latest initiatives and guidance being utilised to address challenges . Hear keynotes and Case Studies from experts in the field on providing effective trauma-informed mental health support for women, multi-agency working, and preventing 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-inform practices that consider the complex needs of women in the CJS
✓Networking opportunities with speakers and senior colleagues across the criminal justice sector
✓8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota
Get in Touch
Agenda
Registration
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Professor Melissa Hamilton, Professor of Law and Criminal Justice, University of Surrey (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Supporting Victims of Abuse in the CJS
- Understanding the intertwined relationship between experiences of abuse and offending
- Outlining how women may be coerced into offending and understanding how to recognise coercion in the CJS
- Ensuring understanding and communication across all agencies to effectively support women who have been victims of abuse
- Offering safety and pathways out of potentially dangerous living and working situations following their exit from the CJS
Sharon Bryan, Head of Partnerships & Development of Domestic Abuse Services, National Centre for Domestic Violence (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Providing Wrap Around Services to Support Women in the CJS
- Understanding and treating the root causes of criminal behaviour including trauma, substance abuse, poverty, and mental health issues
- Acknowledging the need for services built for women that address the complexities of their experiences
- Building relationships of trust and providing safe spaces
- Best practice examples of providing robust services that facilitate rehabilitation
Liz Mack, CEO, Advance Charity
Dali Kaur, Director of Services- Criminal Justice Services & Young Women and Girls, Advance Charity
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Case Study: Supporting Young Women at Risk of Offending
Session details coming soon…
Maria Brul, Campaigns and Influencing Manager, The Agenda Alliance (CONFIRMED)
Case Study: Safe Housing as a Path to Reintegration
- Understanding how housing insecurity disproportionately affects women leaving prison
- Exploring the role of supported housing in recovery and reintegration
- Addressing barriers to accessing safe housing, including criminal records, benefits issues, and local authority thresholds
- Building successful partnerships with housing providers, probation, and third sector organisations
Katy Swaine Williams, Criminal Justice Consultant and member of the Women’s Justice Board (CONFIRMED)
Questions & Answers
Lunch Break
Breakout Networking: Working Collaboratively to Improve Outcomes for Women in the Criminal Justice System
Case Study: The Importance of Mental health support
- Understanding the impact of trauma on mental health for women in the CJS
- Outlining the importance of prison staff in protecting and promoting health and well-being in prison
- Strategies for training staff to identify mental illnesses and provide effective support
- Understanding intersectional and culturally different experiences of mental health issues and how to provide tailored support to women in the CJS
Kate Fraser, head of practice, Women in Prison (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Utilising Lived Experience to Transform Systems
Session details coming soon…
Leanne Jeffery, Health and Justice Development Officer, Clinks, Health and Justice Lived Experience Network Chair, NHS England (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Comfort Break
Keynote: Women’s Justice in 2025
- Understanding the complex and varied experiences of women in the CJS.
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Policing’s progress and challenges in implementing the female offender strategy delivery plan.
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Planning for the future, incorporating the WJB aims.
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Harnessing the benefits of a cross-system and whole system approach
Assistant Chief Officer Cat Hemmings, National Portfolio Lead for Women in the Criminal Justice System, National Police Chiefs’ Council (CONFIRMED)
Keynote: Healthcare in the CJS
- Examining the impact of imprisonment on mothers and their children, including the trauma of separation
- Understanding how criminal justice responses can be adapted to prioritise family ties and reduce harm to children
- Exploring community-based sentencing options that allow mothers to maintain parental roles
- Highlighting best practices in mother-and-baby units and post-release family reintegration
Natalie Miller, Deputy Regional Manager, Practice Plus Group (CONFIRMED)
Questions and Answers
Chair’s Closing Remarks
Professor Melissa Hamilton, Professor of Law and Criminal Justice, University of Surrey (CONFIRMED)
Conference Close
Previous Speakers
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
This was a very informative event full of professionals passionate about improving outcomes for women leaving the criminal justice system and more importantly being innovative about ways to prevent women entering the system in the first place.
The event was well organised with appropriate timing/opportunities provided for presentations and questions. The range of topics and speakers was great and the event was really insightful.
The conference was really interesting, it was great to hear from the key speakers, develop my knowledge and be able to share that with my colleagues.
An excellent event with really interesting speakers and a lot of food for thought. Thank you!
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-inform practices that consider the complex needs of women in the CJS
✓Networking opportunities with speakers and senior colleagues across the criminal justice sector
✓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:
