Attending South West Women’s Justice Conference to drive change 

I joined partners and stakeholders at the Making a Difference: Whole System Approach Women’s Conference, held at Somerset County Cricket Club in Taunton last Friday, to discuss how the criminal justice system can better support women. 

The event brought together experts, service providers, and those with lived experience to explore trauma-informed approaches and alternatives to custody.

The justice system was designed for men and too often fails women. Short prison sentences disrupt lives without addressing the root causes of offending. We need to focus on rehabilitation, not just punishment.

Delegates heard stark statistics: women make up just 4% of the prison population but account for 27% of self-harm incidents, and nearly 70% of women in prison or on probation are victims of domestic abuse. The conference called for earlier intervention, creative commissioning, and whole-system approaches to break the cycle of reoffending. 

The day ended with a powerful pledge session, where attendees committed to actions such as: 

• Improving trauma-informed support from arrest to sentencing. 

• Working collaboratively to deliver whole-system approaches for women. 

• Championing women’s voices and ensuring lived experience shapes services. 

• Exploring innovative solutions, including women’s courts and multi-agency hubs. 

In Avon and Somerset, I have already invested in this vision by funding the Nelson Trust to deliver wraparound support for women. These pledges show the collective determination to create a justice system that works for women, their families, and our communities.