Breaking the Cycle: Women, Crime, and Community

Women make up just 4% of the UK prison population, which means their voices and experiences are too often overlooked in conversations about criminal justice.

In this episode, Nic and Mariam speak with Lizzy Jewell, Head of Communications and Engagement at Working Chance, the UK’s only employment charity solely for women with convictions. Together, they explore what it really means to be a woman navigating a system largely designed for – and dominated by – men.

They discuss the unique challenges women face both in custody and on release, how past trauma and stigma can shape their journey, and what needs to change so that fewer women enter the system and more are able to break the cycle. The conversation also includes practical advice for women who have been in contact with the justice system and are looking for support