Penelope Gibbs
@penelopegibbs.bsky.social
My passion is to improve UK justice. Lead charity www.transformjustice.org.uk (email there). Also visiting fellow
https://www.kellogg.ox.ac.uk/ and chair www.appropriateadult.org.uk
https://www.kellogg.ox.ac.uk/ and chair www.appropriateadult.org.uk
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
David Lammy wants to end the court backlog by restricting the usage of jury trials.
Listen to our podcast episode from March where Alex Chalk KC and Dominic Thomas debate this issue, discussing the introduction of intermediate courts and other solutions to reduce the backlog.
🎧➡️ pod.fo/e/2b5a06
Listen to our podcast episode from March where Alex Chalk KC and Dominic Thomas debate this issue, discussing the introduction of intermediate courts and other solutions to reduce the backlog.
🎧➡️ pod.fo/e/2b5a06
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨
Alex Chalk KC and Dominic Thomas debate solutions that could finally fix the crown court backlog.
Will more judge sitting days or a new 'intermediate' court finally bring justice to the tens of thousands of victims, families and defendants still stuck in limbo?
🎧 pod.fo/e/2b5a06
Alex Chalk KC and Dominic Thomas debate solutions that could finally fix the crown court backlog.
Will more judge sitting days or a new 'intermediate' court finally bring justice to the tens of thousands of victims, families and defendants still stuck in limbo?
🎧 pod.fo/e/2b5a06
November 26, 2025 at 10:43 AM
David Lammy wants to end the court backlog by restricting the usage of jury trials.
Listen to our podcast episode from March where Alex Chalk KC and Dominic Thomas debate this issue, discussing the introduction of intermediate courts and other solutions to reduce the backlog.
🎧➡️ pod.fo/e/2b5a06
Listen to our podcast episode from March where Alex Chalk KC and Dominic Thomas debate this issue, discussing the introduction of intermediate courts and other solutions to reduce the backlog.
🎧➡️ pod.fo/e/2b5a06
In March barrister Dominic Thomas passionately put the argument against restricting jury trials in our podcast.
With over 70,000 cases waiting to be heard in the crown court, why are 30% of courtrooms sitting empty? 🤔
On our latest podcast episode, Dominic Thomas explains how the government cap on judicial sitting hours is preventing us from getting through the backlog.
🎧 Hear more: pod.fo/e/2b5a06
On our latest podcast episode, Dominic Thomas explains how the government cap on judicial sitting hours is preventing us from getting through the backlog.
🎧 Hear more: pod.fo/e/2b5a06
November 26, 2025 at 7:29 AM
In March barrister Dominic Thomas passionately put the argument against restricting jury trials in our podcast.
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
Dame Rachel de Souza, children's commissioner, speaks on custodial remand of children at @longfordtrust.bsky.social Lecture 2025.
⚠️Last chance to fill in our short survey! ⚠️
Do you work with children at risk of remand? We want to hear your views: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
(Closes Monday)
⚠️Last chance to fill in our short survey! ⚠️
Do you work with children at risk of remand? We want to hear your views: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
(Closes Monday)
November 21, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Dame Rachel de Souza, children's commissioner, speaks on custodial remand of children at @longfordtrust.bsky.social Lecture 2025.
⚠️Last chance to fill in our short survey! ⚠️
Do you work with children at risk of remand? We want to hear your views: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
(Closes Monday)
⚠️Last chance to fill in our short survey! ⚠️
Do you work with children at risk of remand? We want to hear your views: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
(Closes Monday)
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
Is the criminal justice system curbing the right to protest?
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 pod.fo/e/35277d
What happens when government turns protest into a crime? With thousands waiting to hear if they’ll be charged, the message seems clear: dissent now comes at a cost.
Sarah Lunnon & Audrey Mogan unpack the impact of new protest laws.
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/35277d
What happens when government turns protest into a crime? With thousands waiting to hear if they’ll be charged, the message seems clear: dissent now comes at a cost.
Sarah Lunnon & Audrey Mogan unpack the impact of new protest laws.
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/35277d
November 16, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Is the criminal justice system curbing the right to protest?
Is the criminal justice system curbing the right to protest?
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 pod.fo/e/35277d
What happens when government turns protest into a crime? With thousands waiting to hear if they’ll be charged, the message seems clear: dissent now comes at a cost.
Sarah Lunnon & Audrey Mogan unpack the impact of new protest laws.
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/35277d
What happens when government turns protest into a crime? With thousands waiting to hear if they’ll be charged, the message seems clear: dissent now comes at a cost.
Sarah Lunnon & Audrey Mogan unpack the impact of new protest laws.
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/35277d
November 16, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Is the criminal justice system curbing the right to protest?
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 pod.fo/e/35277d
What happens when government turns protest into a crime? With thousands waiting to hear if they’ll be charged, the message seems clear: dissent now comes at a cost.
Sarah Lunnon & Audrey Mogan unpack the impact of new protest laws.
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/35277d
What happens when government turns protest into a crime? With thousands waiting to hear if they’ll be charged, the message seems clear: dissent now comes at a cost.
Sarah Lunnon & Audrey Mogan unpack the impact of new protest laws.
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/35277d
November 14, 2025 at 10:08 AM
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨 pod.fo/e/35277d
What happens when government turns protest into a crime? With thousands waiting to hear if they’ll be charged, the message seems clear: dissent now comes at a cost.
Sarah Lunnon & Audrey Mogan unpack the impact of new protest laws.
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/35277d
What happens when government turns protest into a crime? With thousands waiting to hear if they’ll be charged, the message seems clear: dissent now comes at a cost.
Sarah Lunnon & Audrey Mogan unpack the impact of new protest laws.
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/35277d
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
When the law changes, what happens to those left behind?
In the latest episode of the Transform Justice Podcast, Matthew Parris explores the political and moral dilemmas surrounding the release (or not) of IPP prisoners.
🎧Catch up on the full episode now: pod.fo/e/33eb2a
In the latest episode of the Transform Justice Podcast, Matthew Parris explores the political and moral dilemmas surrounding the release (or not) of IPP prisoners.
🎧Catch up on the full episode now: pod.fo/e/33eb2a
November 12, 2025 at 1:05 PM
When the law changes, what happens to those left behind?
In the latest episode of the Transform Justice Podcast, Matthew Parris explores the political and moral dilemmas surrounding the release (or not) of IPP prisoners.
🎧Catch up on the full episode now: pod.fo/e/33eb2a
In the latest episode of the Transform Justice Podcast, Matthew Parris explores the political and moral dilemmas surrounding the release (or not) of IPP prisoners.
🎧Catch up on the full episode now: pod.fo/e/33eb2a
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
Courtwatchers have been questioning whether some cases belong in court at all.
At @transformjustice.bsky.social, we’ve long argued that many offences could be resolved better outside of court.
See what some courtwatchers had to say below ⬇️
🧵[1/8]
At @transformjustice.bsky.social, we’ve long argued that many offences could be resolved better outside of court.
See what some courtwatchers had to say below ⬇️
🧵[1/8]
November 7, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Courtwatchers have been questioning whether some cases belong in court at all.
At @transformjustice.bsky.social, we’ve long argued that many offences could be resolved better outside of court.
See what some courtwatchers had to say below ⬇️
🧵[1/8]
At @transformjustice.bsky.social, we’ve long argued that many offences could be resolved better outside of court.
See what some courtwatchers had to say below ⬇️
🧵[1/8]
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
The mistaken release of prisoners exposes a profound crisis far bigger than simply Labour ineptitude - my @theipaper.com column on Westminster’s complacency, collective political failure and our decaying public services inews.co.uk/opinion/mist...
The mistaken prisoner release exposes a crisis far bigger than Labour ineptitude
The criminal justice system is among the most blatant examples of British state failure
inews.co.uk
November 10, 2025 at 8:16 AM
The mistaken release of prisoners exposes a profound crisis far bigger than simply Labour ineptitude - my @theipaper.com column on Westminster’s complacency, collective political failure and our decaying public services inews.co.uk/opinion/mist...
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
Very welcome move made by the government to expunge criminal records for prostitution acquired when a child. www.gov.uk/government/n... but why stop there in expunging childhood criminal records? Too many people are held back from employment by a conviction acquired decades ago www.fairchecks.org.uk
'Child prostitution' convictions to be expunged
New measures in the Crime and Policing Bill will disregard and pardon unjust 'child prostitution' convictions and cautions received before the law changed in 2015.
www.gov.uk
November 7, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Very welcome move made by the government to expunge criminal records for prostitution acquired when a child. www.gov.uk/government/n... but why stop there in expunging childhood criminal records? Too many people are held back from employment by a conviction acquired decades ago www.fairchecks.org.uk
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
Join us on 17th November, 14:00-15:30 for the launch of our 2 new reports on criminal court fines.
Drawing together 3 years of research, these reports explore what can be done to make our court fines system fairer, more proportionate & more effective.
ow.ly/nmnO50Xol2H
Drawing together 3 years of research, these reports explore what can be done to make our court fines system fairer, more proportionate & more effective.
ow.ly/nmnO50Xol2H
Paying For Justice: How Our Court Fines System Tips The Scales
Join the Centre for Justice Innovation for the launch of two new reports on criminal court fines.
ow.ly
November 7, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Join us on 17th November, 14:00-15:30 for the launch of our 2 new reports on criminal court fines.
Drawing together 3 years of research, these reports explore what can be done to make our court fines system fairer, more proportionate & more effective.
ow.ly/nmnO50Xol2H
Drawing together 3 years of research, these reports explore what can be done to make our court fines system fairer, more proportionate & more effective.
ow.ly/nmnO50Xol2H
Very welcome move made by the government to expunge criminal records for prostitution acquired when a child. www.gov.uk/government/n... but why stop there in expunging childhood criminal records? Too many people are held back from employment by a conviction acquired decades ago www.fairchecks.org.uk
'Child prostitution' convictions to be expunged
New measures in the Crime and Policing Bill will disregard and pardon unjust 'child prostitution' convictions and cautions received before the law changed in 2015.
www.gov.uk
November 7, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Very welcome move made by the government to expunge criminal records for prostitution acquired when a child. www.gov.uk/government/n... but why stop there in expunging childhood criminal records? Too many people are held back from employment by a conviction acquired decades ago www.fairchecks.org.uk
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
What is it like to be imprisoned indefinitely?
Andrew Morris discusses his experience of an IPP sentence, and the devastating toll it took on his mental health, in the latest episode of the Transform Justice Podcast.
🎧Listen to the full episode here: pod.fo/e/33eb2a
#IPP #TransformJusticePodcast
Andrew Morris discusses his experience of an IPP sentence, and the devastating toll it took on his mental health, in the latest episode of the Transform Justice Podcast.
🎧Listen to the full episode here: pod.fo/e/33eb2a
#IPP #TransformJusticePodcast
November 5, 2025 at 10:09 AM
What is it like to be imprisoned indefinitely?
Andrew Morris discusses his experience of an IPP sentence, and the devastating toll it took on his mental health, in the latest episode of the Transform Justice Podcast.
🎧Listen to the full episode here: pod.fo/e/33eb2a
#IPP #TransformJusticePodcast
Andrew Morris discusses his experience of an IPP sentence, and the devastating toll it took on his mental health, in the latest episode of the Transform Justice Podcast.
🎧Listen to the full episode here: pod.fo/e/33eb2a
#IPP #TransformJusticePodcast
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
💡Why are we still remanding so many children? Read our latest Insight below ⬇️
And if you work with children at risk of custodial remand, we want to hear from you!
Please fill out our survey by 17 Nov so your experiences can inform our policy advocacy.
➡️🔗 Survey here: forms.gle/d9pSVbhhMVQM...
And if you work with children at risk of custodial remand, we want to hear from you!
Please fill out our survey by 17 Nov so your experiences can inform our policy advocacy.
➡️🔗 Survey here: forms.gle/d9pSVbhhMVQM...
'A bleak existence': Why are we still remanding so many children? - Transform Justice
www.transformjustice.org.uk
October 29, 2025 at 3:10 PM
💡Why are we still remanding so many children? Read our latest Insight below ⬇️
And if you work with children at risk of custodial remand, we want to hear from you!
Please fill out our survey by 17 Nov so your experiences can inform our policy advocacy.
➡️🔗 Survey here: forms.gle/d9pSVbhhMVQM...
And if you work with children at risk of custodial remand, we want to hear from you!
Please fill out our survey by 17 Nov so your experiences can inform our policy advocacy.
➡️🔗 Survey here: forms.gle/d9pSVbhhMVQM...
Problems with the Single Justice Procedure continue...we need gov to bring forward reform proposals soon www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
'Secretive' court system prosecuting hundreds for innocent mistakes
The Single Justice Procedure (SJP) allows UK public authorities to bring quick prosecutions in hearings conducted behind closed doors.
www.dailymail.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Problems with the Single Justice Procedure continue...we need gov to bring forward reform proposals soon www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
A criminal record, even for a minor offence, can hold you back from work opportunities for a long, long time.
We need a more proportionate system - for people with records, for their families, for our society and economy.
Help us secure a fairer future, join our campaign today - fairchecks.org.uk
We need a more proportionate system - for people with records, for their families, for our society and economy.
Help us secure a fairer future, join our campaign today - fairchecks.org.uk
September 1, 2025 at 3:14 PM
A criminal record, even for a minor offence, can hold you back from work opportunities for a long, long time.
We need a more proportionate system - for people with records, for their families, for our society and economy.
Help us secure a fairer future, join our campaign today - fairchecks.org.uk
We need a more proportionate system - for people with records, for their families, for our society and economy.
Help us secure a fairer future, join our campaign today - fairchecks.org.uk
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
After hundreds of FairChecks supporters wrote to Lord Chancellor David Lammy calling for fairer criminal records checks, we received a response from Lord Timpson.
🔗Read the full letter here - and join the movement, if you haven't already! fairchecks.org.uk/lord-timpson...
🔗Read the full letter here - and join the movement, if you haven't already! fairchecks.org.uk/lord-timpson...
October 22, 2025 at 8:59 AM
After hundreds of FairChecks supporters wrote to Lord Chancellor David Lammy calling for fairer criminal records checks, we received a response from Lord Timpson.
🔗Read the full letter here - and join the movement, if you haven't already! fairchecks.org.uk/lord-timpson...
🔗Read the full letter here - and join the movement, if you haven't already! fairchecks.org.uk/lord-timpson...
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
The Ministry of Justice has been convicted of a crime and fined £1,000, in a closed-door court hearing the department itself was apparently not aware was happening
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/m...
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/m...
Ministry of Justice handed criminal conviction in fast-track courts
The Ministry of Justice is now seeking to overturn its conviction
www.standard.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 10:40 AM
The Ministry of Justice has been convicted of a crime and fined £1,000, in a closed-door court hearing the department itself was apparently not aware was happening
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/m...
www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/m...
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨
IPP ended in 2012, but 1,000+ people are still serving indefinite sentences in prison.
Andrew Morris & Matthew Parris discuss why people are still held under IPP & how we can rid ourselves of its legacy once and for all.
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/33eb2a
IPP ended in 2012, but 1,000+ people are still serving indefinite sentences in prison.
Andrew Morris & Matthew Parris discuss why people are still held under IPP & how we can rid ourselves of its legacy once and for all.
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/33eb2a
October 17, 2025 at 8:35 AM
🚨NEW EPISODE🚨
IPP ended in 2012, but 1,000+ people are still serving indefinite sentences in prison.
Andrew Morris & Matthew Parris discuss why people are still held under IPP & how we can rid ourselves of its legacy once and for all.
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/33eb2a
IPP ended in 2012, but 1,000+ people are still serving indefinite sentences in prison.
Andrew Morris & Matthew Parris discuss why people are still held under IPP & how we can rid ourselves of its legacy once and for all.
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/33eb2a
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
How should the criminal justice system respond to women who commit crime? Are women's centres - multi-agency hubs with specialist support services - the way forward?
Lucy Campbell and Dr Sarah Waite explore in the latest episode of the Transform Justice Podcast ⬇️
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/32d390
Lucy Campbell and Dr Sarah Waite explore in the latest episode of the Transform Justice Podcast ⬇️
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/32d390
October 14, 2025 at 9:26 AM
How should the criminal justice system respond to women who commit crime? Are women's centres - multi-agency hubs with specialist support services - the way forward?
Lucy Campbell and Dr Sarah Waite explore in the latest episode of the Transform Justice Podcast ⬇️
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/32d390
Lucy Campbell and Dr Sarah Waite explore in the latest episode of the Transform Justice Podcast ⬇️
🎧Listen now: pod.fo/e/32d390
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
This case is deeply concerning. How can our magistrates’ courts allow someone so clearly unable to participate in their own trial to be treated this way? Where is the adherence to fair trial rights - or basic human empathy?
#CourtWatchLondon #MagistratesCourts
🧵[8/8]
#CourtWatchLondon #MagistratesCourts
🧵[8/8]
October 3, 2025 at 10:18 AM
This case is deeply concerning. How can our magistrates’ courts allow someone so clearly unable to participate in their own trial to be treated this way? Where is the adherence to fair trial rights - or basic human empathy?
#CourtWatchLondon #MagistratesCourts
🧵[8/8]
#CourtWatchLondon #MagistratesCourts
🧵[8/8]
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
📢 Out-of-court resolutions save time and money, reduce reoffending, and are often preferred by victims. Yet some forces use them far more than others.
How does your local police force compare?
🔗 Start exploring here:
www.transformjustice.org.uk/crime-resolu...
How does your local police force compare?
🔗 Start exploring here:
www.transformjustice.org.uk/crime-resolu...
October 1, 2025 at 9:50 AM
📢 Out-of-court resolutions save time and money, reduce reoffending, and are often preferred by victims. Yet some forces use them far more than others.
How does your local police force compare?
🔗 Start exploring here:
www.transformjustice.org.uk/crime-resolu...
How does your local police force compare?
🔗 Start exploring here:
www.transformjustice.org.uk/crime-resolu...
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
⚠️ Is the term 'vulnerable' helpful when used to describe women in the criminal justice system? Dr Sarah Waite and Lucy Campbell explore in the latest episode of the Transform Justice Podcast.
🎧 Listen to the full discussion - pod.fo/e/32d390
#TransformJusticePodcast #WomenInPrison
🎧 Listen to the full discussion - pod.fo/e/32d390
#TransformJusticePodcast #WomenInPrison
October 8, 2025 at 8:55 AM
⚠️ Is the term 'vulnerable' helpful when used to describe women in the criminal justice system? Dr Sarah Waite and Lucy Campbell explore in the latest episode of the Transform Justice Podcast.
🎧 Listen to the full discussion - pod.fo/e/32d390
#TransformJusticePodcast #WomenInPrison
🎧 Listen to the full discussion - pod.fo/e/32d390
#TransformJusticePodcast #WomenInPrison
Reposted by Penelope Gibbs
💡The slow road to the bench: reforming magistrate recruitment
What is going on with the magistrate recruitment system? Why does it take years to begin sitting? And is the process biased?
📖 @penelopegibbs.bsky.social explores in our latest Insight:
www.transformjustice.org.uk/news-insight...
What is going on with the magistrate recruitment system? Why does it take years to begin sitting? And is the process biased?
📖 @penelopegibbs.bsky.social explores in our latest Insight:
www.transformjustice.org.uk/news-insight...
The slow road to the bench: reforming magistrate recruitment - Transform Justice
www.transformjustice.org.uk
September 30, 2025 at 9:18 AM
💡The slow road to the bench: reforming magistrate recruitment
What is going on with the magistrate recruitment system? Why does it take years to begin sitting? And is the process biased?
📖 @penelopegibbs.bsky.social explores in our latest Insight:
www.transformjustice.org.uk/news-insight...
What is going on with the magistrate recruitment system? Why does it take years to begin sitting? And is the process biased?
📖 @penelopegibbs.bsky.social explores in our latest Insight:
www.transformjustice.org.uk/news-insight...
💡The slow road to the bench: reforming magistrate recruitment
What is going on with the magistrate recruitment system? Why does it take years to begin sitting? And is the process biased?
📖 @penelopegibbs.bsky.social explores in our latest Insight:
www.transformjustice.org.uk/news-insight...
What is going on with the magistrate recruitment system? Why does it take years to begin sitting? And is the process biased?
📖 @penelopegibbs.bsky.social explores in our latest Insight:
www.transformjustice.org.uk/news-insight...
The slow road to the bench: reforming magistrate recruitment - Transform Justice
www.transformjustice.org.uk
September 30, 2025 at 11:19 AM