Women in Prison: An Oral History

Women in Prison: An Oral History

Created to mark 40 years of Women in Prison, this podcast brings together the voices of women who have lived through the criminal justice system and fought to transform it. Each conversation is led by women with lived experience of criminalisation, offering a rare and deeply informed perspective on a system that continues to harm women. Through stories of survival, solidarity and resistance, the podcast charts the history of Women in Prison, a feminist organisation that has spent four decades challenging injustice and demanding better for women. These are not just personal testimonies. They are urgent truths about inequality, imprisonment and the enduring power of community, care and collective action. With thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and players of the National Lottery, whose generous support made the Women in Prison 40th Anniversary project possible. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

Introducing Women in Prison: An Oral History

July 18, 2025 • 1 min
The Women in Prison: An Oral History podcast is coming soon.

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Melissa Benn on the roots of Women in Prison and storytelling for change. Women in Prison: An Oral History

July 24, 2025 • 39 mins
Author and campaigner Melissa Benn reflects on the early days of Women in Prison, working alongside founder Chris Tchaikovsky. A powerful conversation on activism, storytelling, and women’s resistance in the criminal justice system. 

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Liz Hogarth, from HMP Holloway to the Ministry of Justice. Women in Prison: An Oral History.

July 24, 2025 • 38 mins
Liz Hogarth shares insights from her illustrious career, from working in HMP Holloway to the Ministry of Justice over many decades, as well as working with Women in Prison’s indomitable founder, Chris Tchaikovsky. She discusses her role in the Corston Report and what keeps her fighting for women’s justice today. 

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Martine Lignon on 20 years of fighting for better justice. Women in Prison: An Oral History

July 24, 2025 • 24 mins
Former trustee Martine Lignon looks back on her 20 years at Women in Prison. In this wide-ranging conversation, she explores the trauma of prison environments, the power of women’s centres, and her hopes for real change in women’s justice. 

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Cathy Stancer from volunteer to CEO. Women in Prison: An Oral History

July 24, 2025 • 21 mins
From volunteer to CEO, Cathy Stancer shares how Women in Prison shaped her politics as a young woman. This is a deep dive into feminist leadership, learning about the realities of systemic injustice, and what change looks like from the inside of this 40-year-old organisation working to end the harm of the criminal justice system on women's lives.

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Kate Fraser on lived experience, hope, and frontline feminist work. Women in Prison: An Oral History

July 30, 2025 • 28 mins
Kate Fraser, Head of Practice for Women in Prison, reflects on 15 years with the organisation. From establishing the Manchester women’s centre, WomenMATTA, to supporting women in prison and the community. Kate shares how her own lived experience drives her commitment to change. 

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Maria Leitner on her 360 experience of the criminal justice system. Women in Prison: An Oral History

July 30, 2025 • 23 mins
In this episode, criminologist Maria Leitner shares her journey from researcher to being criminalised, to founding Open Justice Initiatives – a think tank led by people with lived experience of the justice system. In conversation with Natasha, she reflects on creating Off the Cuff magazine in prison, the power of peer-led change, and what must shift to end the justice system’s harm to women.

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Becky Clarke on collaborative, non-judgemental research methods and systemic change. Women in Prison: An Oral History

July 30, 2025 • 51 mins
Criminologist and campaigner Becky Clarke speaks about working alongside women in prison, research as resistance, and why grassroots support and critical thinking are key to justice. 

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Charmaine Williams on empathy, resilience and life after prison. Women in Prison: An Oral History

July 30, 2025 • 35 mins
Charmaine Williams, Peer Mentor and Training Coordinator for Women in Prison, shares a decade of experience supporting women inside prison and beyond. With heart, humour, and honesty, she talks about resilience, recovery, and the women who inspire her. 

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Mo Mansfield on prison abolition and the legacy of HMP Holloway. Women in Prison: An Oral History

July 30, 2025 • 33 mins
Community organiser, advocate and feminist campaigner Mo Mansfield talks prison abolition, the emotional toll of working in prisons, and her significant contributions to frontline and campaigning work across her career. A raw and vital conversation about feminist organising, loss, and legacy. 

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