Explore every episode of the podcast Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice (CCCJ) Podcast

Speakers: Professor Vanessa Munro (University of Warwick) and Professor Miranda Horvath (University of Suffolk)

Professors Munro and Horvath both actively contributed to Operation Soteria, the joint project between the police and CPS to rethink how allegations of sexual violence should be investigated and prosecuted. In this public lecture they will reflect together on the data they collected and the findings concerning reasons for underperformance, myths and stereotypes affecting charging decisions and the treatment of complainants. They will conclude by reflecting on the prospects for sustainable improvement post-Soteria. There will be opportunities for the audience to ask questions at the end.

For more information see: https://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk/past-events-0

Speaker: Professor Kent Roach, Professor of Law, University of Toronto

This talk defined the distinct but overlapping concepts of miscarriages of justice, wrongful convictions and proven innocence. The three distinct and overlapping concepts are analysed as what Guido Calabresi and Philip Bobbitt have called a 'tragic choice' approach to allocating scarce resources.

For more information about the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice (CCCJ) see: https://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk/

An event in honour of Professor Emeritus Nicky Padfield.

On 27 March 2023 the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice held a workshop in honour of Nicky Padfield entitled 'Criminal Justice Conversations: Experiencing and Researching Criminal Justice'.

In September 2022, Professor Nicky Padfield formally retired from the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge. She has left an indelible mark, as a leading criminologist and criminal justice scholar, and former Recorder. Whilst best known for her work in sentencing, prisons and, recently, on the Parole Board, she has shown an unparalleled flexibility in teaching and research, much of which went beyond academic audiences.

This workshop, kindly supported by the Yorke Fund, will celebrate Nicky’s career and enable participants to reflect upon themes which were prevalent in her research, such as managerialism and accountability within (criminal justice) public services, and fairness and proportionality in sentencing, parole and recalls to prison. Participants will consider the gains to be made for researchers in having conversations with those who act within the criminal justice system and (too often overlooked) those who are at the receiving end of state power, and how such gains in understanding their everyday experiences may be reflected in research outputs and policy documents.

Programme of recordings:

- Introduction (Dr Findlay Stark, Co-Director of CCCJ, University of Cambridge); 'Telling it like it is, a talk in honour of Nicky Padfield' (Prof Em Loraine Gelsthorpe, University of Cambridge) (https://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/4226608)

- 'Talking about private prosecutions' (Dr Jonathan Rogers, University of Cambridge) (https://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/4226623)

- 'Some thoughts on parole' (Prof Em Sir Anthony Bottoms, University of Cambridge) (https://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/4226638)

- 'Reflections on Criminal Justice Conversations' (Prof Em Nicky Padfield, University of Cambridge) (https://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/4226653)

An event in honour of Professor Emeritus Nicky Padfield.

On 27 March 2023 the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice held a workshop in honour of Nicky Padfield entitled 'Criminal Justice Conversations: Experiencing and Researching Criminal Justice'.

In September 2022, Professor Nicky Padfield formally retired from the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge. She has left an indelible mark, as a leading criminologist and criminal justice scholar, and former Recorder. Whilst best known for her work in sentencing, prisons and, recently, on the Parole Board, she has shown an unparalleled flexibility in teaching and research, much of which went beyond academic audiences.

This workshop, kindly supported by the Yorke Fund, will celebrate Nicky’s career and enable participants to reflect upon themes which were prevalent in her research, such as managerialism and accountability within (criminal justice) public services, and fairness and proportionality in sentencing, parole and recalls to prison. Participants will consider the gains to be made for researchers in having conversations with those who act within the criminal justice system and (too often overlooked) those who are at the receiving end of state power, and how such gains in understanding their everyday experiences may be reflected in research outputs and policy documents.

Programme of recordings:

- Introduction (Dr Findlay Stark, Co-Director of CCCJ, University of Cambridge); 'Telling it like it is, a talk in honour of Nicky Padfield' (Prof Em Loraine Gelsthorpe, University of Cambridge) (https://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/4226608)

- 'Talking about private prosecutions' (Dr Jonathan Rogers, University of Cambridge) (https://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/4226623)

- 'Some thoughts on parole' (Prof Em Sir Anthony Bottoms, University of Cambridge) (https://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/4226638)

- 'Reflections on Criminal Justice Conversations' (Prof Em Nicky Padfield, University of Cambridge) (https://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/4226653)

An event in honour of Professor Emeritus Nicky Padfield.

On 27 March 2023 the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice held a workshop in honour of Nicky Padfield entitled 'Criminal Justice Conversations: Experiencing and Researching Criminal Justice'.

In September 2022, Professor Nicky Padfield formally retired from the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge. She has left an indelible mark, as a leading criminologist and criminal justice scholar, and former Recorder. Whilst best known for her work in sentencing, prisons and, recently, on the Parole Board, she has shown an unparalleled flexibility in teaching and research, much of which went beyond academic audiences.

This workshop, kindly supported by the Yorke Fund, will celebrate Nicky’s career and enable participants to reflect upon themes which were prevalent in her research, such as managerialism and accountability within (criminal justice) public services, and fairness and proportionality in sentencing, parole and recalls to prison. Participants will consider the gains to be made for researchers in having conversations with those who act within the criminal justice system and (too often overlooked) those who are at the receiving end of state power, and how such gains in understanding their everyday experiences may be reflected in research outputs and policy documents.

Programme of recordings:

- Introduction (Dr Findlay Stark, Co-Director of CCCJ, University of Cambridge); 'Telling it like it is, a talk in honour of Nicky Padfield' (Prof Em Loraine Gelsthorpe, University of Cambridge) (https://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/4226608)

- 'Talking about private prosecutions' (Dr Jonathan Rogers, University of Cambridge) (https://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/4226623)

- 'Some thoughts on parole' (Prof Em Sir Anthony Bottoms, University of Cambridge) (https://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/4226638)

- 'Reflections on Criminal Justice Conversations' (Prof Em Nicky Padfield, University of Cambridge) (https://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/4226653)

An event in honour of Professor Emeritus Nicky Padfield.

On 27 March 2023 the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice held a workshop in honour of Nicky Padfield entitled 'Criminal Justice Conversations: Experiencing and Researching Criminal Justice'.

In September 2022, Professor Nicky Padfield formally retired from the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge. She has left an indelible mark, as a leading criminologist and criminal justice scholar, and former Recorder. Whilst best known for her work in sentencing, prisons and, recently, on the Parole Board, she has shown an unparalleled flexibility in teaching and research, much of which went beyond academic audiences.

This workshop, kindly supported by the Yorke Fund, will celebrate Nicky’s career and enable participants to reflect upon themes which were prevalent in her research, such as managerialism and accountability within (criminal justice) public services, and fairness and proportionality in sentencing, parole and recalls to prison. Participants will consider the gains to be made for researchers in having conversations with those who act within the criminal justice system and (too often overlooked) those who are at the receiving end of state power, and how such gains in understanding their everyday experiences may be reflected in research outputs and policy documents.

Programme of recordings:

- Introduction (Dr Findlay Stark, Co-Director of CCCJ, University of Cambridge); 'Telling it like it is, a talk in honour of Nicky Padfield' (Prof Em Loraine Gelsthorpe, University of Cambridge) (https://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/4226608)

- 'Talking about private prosecutions' (Dr Jonathan Rogers, University of Cambridge) (https://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/4226623)

- 'Some thoughts on parole' (Prof Em Sir Anthony Bottoms, University of Cambridge) (https://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/4226638)

- 'Reflections on Criminal Justice Conversations' (Prof Em Nicky Padfield, University of Cambridge) (https://sms.cam.ac.uk/media/4226653)

The Parole Board recently hit the headlines after the Government announced a Root-and-Branch Review of the parole system to explore a number of areas including potentially opening hearings up to the public. The review will build on recent reforms but will also look at more fundamental changes.

So, what does the future hold for the parole system? What are the problems faced by the current system and what are the solutions?

The Parole Board, together with the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice and the Institute of Criminology of the University of Cambridge, invite you to join them for two webinars on the topic.

There were two webinars: 2 hours each, 8-9 December 2020, 5–7pm.

The second seminar, on Wed 9th December, focused more on appropriate reforms.

Chair: Professor Loraine Gelsthorpe, Director of the Institute of Criminology

• A Parole Board for tomorrow: how further reform could improve the parole system: Faith Geary, Chief Operating Officer, Parole Board. Respondent: Simon Creighton, Bhatt Murphy, solicitors
• The relative importance of ‘transparency’, ‘independence’, ‘accountability’ and ‘public confidence’ Professor David Feldman. Respondent: Martin Jones, CEO, Parole Board
• Understanding the place of parole within and without a root and branch review of sentencing and of the penal system: Professor Rob Canton. Respondent: Professor Nick Hardwick

Conclusions: Dr Harry Annison

Further details: The Government has now published more details of its long-awaited “root and branch” review of the parole system. The Consultation “on making some parole hearings open to victims of crime and the wider public” acknowledged that “the question of whether to allow public hearings is only one aspect of the root and branch review which will look at four broad areas: i) an evaluation of the parole reforms to date, ii) the constitution and status of the Parole Board, iii) improving public understanding and confidence in the parole system, and iv) measures to improve openness and transparency” (para 12).

For more details see the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice website: https://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk/

The Parole Board recently hit the headlines after the Government announced a Root-and-Branch Review of the parole system to explore a number of areas including potentially opening hearings up to the public. The review will build on recent reforms but will also look at more fundamental changes.

So, what does the future hold for the parole system? What are the problems faced by the current system and what are the solutions?

The Parole Board, together with the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice and the Institute of Criminology of the University of Cambridge, invite you to join them for two webinars on the topic.

There were two webinars: 2 hours each, 8-9 December 2020, 5–7pm.

The first webinar, on Tuesday 8th December, focused on critiques of the current system, identifying ‘problems’.

Chair: The Chairman of the Parole Board

• The context of the Government’s root and branch review: Professor Nicky Padfield. Respondent: HH Peter Rook QC, Deputy Chair of Parole Board
• What measures actually increase public safety? Measuring ‘effectiveness’: Dr Jo Bailey, HMPPS Head of Psychology. Respondent: Professor Fergus McNeill
• Increasing public understanding of parole: Professor Julian Roberts. Respondent: Angela Cossins, Deputy Director, National Probation Service.

Conclusions: Tom Hawker-Dawson

Further details: The Government has now published more details of its long-awaited “root and branch” review of the parole system. The Consultation “on making some parole hearings open to victims of crime and the wider public” acknowledged that “the question of whether to allow public hearings is only one aspect of the root and branch review which will look at four broad areas: i) an evaluation of the parole reforms to date, ii) the constitution and status of the Parole Board, iii) improving public understanding and confidence in the parole system, and iv) measures to improve openness and transparency” (para 12).

For more details see the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice website: https://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk/

The Parole: Law, Policy and Practice in 2018 Conference was held at the Faculty of Law on 2 July 2018, hosted by the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice, and the Centre for Public Law.

The Ministry of Justice announced a public consultation into the law, policy and procedure relating to parole which closes on 28 July. The purpose of this conference was to engage in discussions with leading figures in the field and to enrich responses to the consultation.

For information about the conference see: http://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk

The Parole: Law, Policy and Practice in 2018 Conference was held at the Faculty of Law on 2 July 2018, hosted by the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice, and the Centre for Public Law.

The Ministry of Justice announced a public consultation into the law, policy and procedure relating to parole which closes on 28 July. The purpose of this conference was to engage in discussions with leading figures in the field and to enrich responses to the consultation.

For information about the conference see: http://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk

The Parole: Law, Policy and Practice in 2018 Conference was held at the Faculty of Law on 2 July 2018, hosted by the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice, and the Centre for Public Law.

The Ministry of Justice announced a public consultation into the law, policy and procedure relating to parole which closes on 28 July. The purpose of this conference was to engage in discussions with leading figures in the field and to enrich responses to the consultation.

For information about the conference see: http://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk

The Parole: Law, Policy and Practice in 2018 Conference was held at the Faculty of Law on 2 July 2018, hosted by the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice, and the Centre for Public Law.

The Ministry of Justice announced a public consultation into the law, policy and procedure relating to parole which closes on 28 July. The purpose of this conference was to engage in discussions with leading figures in the field and to enrich responses to the consultation.

For information about the conference see: http://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk

The Parole: Law, Policy and Practice in 2018 Conference was held at the Faculty of Law on 2 July 2018, hosted by the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice, and the Centre for Public Law.

The Ministry of Justice announced a public consultation into the law, policy and procedure relating to parole which closes on 28 July. The purpose of this conference was to engage in discussions with leading figures in the field and to enrich responses to the consultation.

For information about the conference see: http://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk

The Parole: Law, Policy and Practice in 2018 Conference was held at the Faculty of Law on 2 July 2018, hosted by the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice, and the Centre for Public Law.

The Ministry of Justice announced a public consultation into the law, policy and procedure relating to parole which closes on 28 July. The purpose of this conference was to engage in discussions with leading figures in the field and to enrich responses to the consultation.

For information about the conference see: http://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk

The Parole: Law, Policy and Practice in 2018 Conference was held at the Faculty of Law on 2 July 2018, hosted by the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice, and the Centre for Public Law.

The Ministry of Justice announced a public consultation into the law, policy and procedure relating to parole which closes on 28 July. The purpose of this conference was to engage in discussions with leading figures in the field and to enrich responses to the consultation.

For information about the conference see: http://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk

The Parole: Law, Policy and Practice in 2018 Conference was held at the Faculty of Law on 2 July 2018, hosted by the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice, and the Centre for Public Law.

The Ministry of Justice announced a public consultation into the law, policy and procedure relating to parole which closes on 28 July. The purpose of this conference was to engage in discussions with leading figures in the field and to enrich responses to the consultation.

For information about the conference see: http://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk

The Parole: Law, Policy and Practice in 2018 Conference was held at the Faculty of Law on 2 July 2018, hosted by the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice, and the Centre for Public Law.

The Ministry of Justice announced a public consultation into the law, policy and procedure relating to parole which closes on 28 July. The purpose of this conference was to engage in discussions with leading figures in the field and to enrich responses to the consultation.

For information about the conference see: http://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk

The Parole: Law, Policy and Practice in 2018 Conference was held at the Faculty of Law on 2 July 2018, hosted by the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice, and the Centre for Public Law.

The Ministry of Justice announced a public consultation into the law, policy and procedure relating to parole which closes on 28 July. The purpose of this conference was to engage in discussions with leading figures in the field and to enrich responses to the consultation.

For information about the conference see: http://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk

The Parole: Law, Policy and Practice in 2018 Conference was held at the Faculty of Law on 2 July 2018, hosted by the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice, and the Centre for Public Law.

The Ministry of Justice announced a public consultation into the law, policy and procedure relating to parole which closes on 28 July. The purpose of this conference was to engage in discussions with leading figures in the field and to enrich responses to the consultation.

For information about the conference see: http://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk

The Parole: Law, Policy and Practice in 2018 Conference was held at the Faculty of Law on 2 July 2018, hosted by the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice, and the Centre for Public Law.

The Ministry of Justice announced a public consultation into the law, policy and procedure relating to parole which closes on 28 July. The purpose of this conference was to engage in discussions with leading figures in the field and to enrich responses to the consultation.

For information about the conference see: http://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk

The Parole: Law, Policy and Practice in 2018 Conference was held at the Faculty of Law on 2 July 2018, hosted by the Cambridge Centre for Criminal Justice, and the Centre for Public Law.

The Ministry of Justice announced a public consultation into the law, policy and procedure relating to parole which closes on 28 July. The purpose of this conference was to engage in discussions with leading figures in the field and to enrich responses to the consultation.

For information about the conference see: http://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk

The Assize Seminars provide a space for cutting-edge academic work to play a practical role in understanding and developing the law. They are a chance to challenge, debate and refine criminal justice, providing a bridge from academia to criminal legal practice. Just like the Assize of old, the seminars are peripatetic.

The third Assize seminar took place in Cambridge on 27 April 2018. This session was entitled "Difficulties in Getting Into the Court of Appeal Following a Change in Law", featuring:

- Speaker: Francis FitzGibbon QC, Doughty Street Chambers

For more information see the CCCJ website at:

https://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk/assize-seminars

The Assize Seminars provide a space for cutting-edge academic work to play a practical role in understanding and developing the law. They are a chance to challenge, debate and refine criminal justice, providing a bridge from academia to criminal legal practice. Just like the Assize of old, the seminars are peripatetic.

The third Assize seminar took place in Cambridge on 27 April 2018. This session was entitled "Disclosure", featuring:

- Speaker: Professor Ian Dennis, University College London

- Commentator: Alex Chalk MP

For more information see the CCCJ website at:

https://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk/assize-seminars

The Assize Seminars provide a space for cutting-edge academic work to play a practical role in understanding and developing the law. They are a chance to challenge, debate and refine criminal justice, providing a bridge from academia to criminal legal practice. Just like the Assize of old, the seminars are peripatetic.

The third Assize seminar took place in Cambridge on 27 April 2018. This session was entitled "What is a Sentence?", featuring:

- Speaker: Professor Nicola Padfield QC (Hon), University of Cambridge

- Commentator: Professor Andrew Ashworth QC (Hon), University of Oxford

For more information see the CCCJ website at:

https://www.cccj.law.cam.ac.uk/assize-seminars

Professor Jonathan Jacobs is Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Institute of Criminal Justice Ethics at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York City, whose publications include: Choosing Character: Responsibility for Virtue and Vice (2001) and the Routledge Handbook of Criminal Justice Ethics (co-edited with Jonathan Jackson, 2017). Professor Jacobs spoke at the Institute of Criminology on 29 November 2017.

Professor Dr Jennifer Ann Drobac of Indiana University (Visiting Fellow, Clare Hall) was a guest at a joint CCCJ/Cambridge Socio-legal Group event on 2 February 2017.