Would like to meet... Justice Matters partners

As part of our ongoing work to develop the Justice Matters initiative, the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies is organising a 'partners event' in March 2014.

Our aim with Justice Matters is to create the broadest possible collaboration of individuals and organisations committed to downsizing fundamentally the criminal justice system in the United Kingdom and to rebuilding policy and practice approaches so that many current criminal justice responses are not required at all.

Justice Matters is not about encouraging improved criminal justice practice with those convicted of offences. Nor is it about further reforming what already exists within the criminal justice process. It is about rethinking the entire configuration of policy and practice.

If you think we might be on to something and would like to help us to think through the next stages in the development of Justice Matters, we would love to see you at our partners event in London on March 24, 2014, 6.00 - 7.30 pm. The event is free and open to all, on a first come, first served basis.

To find out more about the event and to book your place, please click here. You can also paste the following address into any browser:

Justice Matters for Women

Last month we announced Justice Matters for Women, a new Justice Matters project beginning in early 2014 that we are running in partnership with Women in Prison. The project has been made possible through the generous support of the J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust.

Rather than starting with women as suspects, defendants or convictees to be processed, managed and 'rehabilitated', Justice Matters for Women is starting with women as people with hopes, aspirations, social and economic needs. What would a holistic set of services for them look like? How would they differ from criminal justice responses? If we could genuinely think outside the criminal justice box, what kinds of policy and practice alternatives might be possible?

You can read more about the thinking behind the project in Rebecca Roberts' blogpost here.

We have been delighted by the response we have received so far from a number of individuals and organisations keen to get involved. We will be setting out our plans in more detail in the new year. In the meantime, if you would like to know more about Justice Matters for Women, or would like to get involved, please contact the justice matters team at justicematters@crimeandjustice.org.uk.

Coming in January...

In January we will be circulating a link to an online survey that we are hoping as many as possible will complete. We are keen to know what you like about Justice Matters, as well as what you are less sure about or need more information on.

In the meantime, if you have any comments or ideas about the Justice Matters initiative you can contact the Justice Matters team at justicematters@crimeandjustice.org.uk.

And finally

If you do not currently receive the Justice Matters email bulletin you can subscribe to the mailings here.