Listening to Women, Learning for Justice: A Time to Reflect and Reimagine

Problem-Solving Courts represent a shift in justice practice, one that is said to recognise trauma, systemic disadvantage, and marginalisation. The idea is that, rather than focusing solely on punishment, PSCs could provide a more collaborative and holistic response, supporting women with issues such as mental ill-health, substance use, and housing instability.

But what is happening inside these courts? How are women experiencing them, and where must we do better?

These are the questions at the heart of our recent evaluation of the Greater Manchester WPSC, culminating in our newly published report, Listening to Women, Learning for Justice. The research, conducted over the past two years, aimed to understand the value and impact of the PSC model from the perspectives of women, probation practitioners, and magistrates involved in the process.

Learning from Women’s Experiences

Our research centred the voices of women who had participated in PSC reviews as experts in their own lives. Their experiences illuminated the complexities of PSCs by sharing both the strengths and the tensions and challenges of the WPSC model. While many women appreciated the opportunity for recognition and consistency that PSCs offered, it was the day-to-day, sustained support from Probation practitioners and Women’s Centres that women identified as life-changing. These services were central to helping women navigate some of their challenges and provided crucial relational support.

The court environment, from the emotive approach to the courtroom itself, was frequently described as intimidating and stigmatising. Women reported feeling judged or overwhelmed by the formal layout and atmosphere of the courtroom. Some felt disempowered by the dynamics of the review panel, often facing three magistrates, a legal advisor, and a probation officer, with limited support or advocacy on their side. This power imbalance had a significant impact on how women experienced the reviews.

There was also a call for clearer, more accessible communication throughout the process. Many women were unsure of the purpose of the PSC reviews, and whilst some experienced validation from praise, others expressed frustration at being praised without meaningful support from the review. Several participants emphasised the importance of participation, ownership and visibility, highlighting the need to embed lived expertise throughout all aspects of PSC design and delivery.

Beyond the Bench: A Reflective Space for Change

To coincide with the launch of the report, we hosted the Beyond the Bench: Women’s Problem-Solving Court Symposium in Greater Manchester last week, funded by Leeds Beckett’s HEIF. The event brought together over 50 practitioners, policymakers, researchers, magistrates, and women who’ve experienced criminalisation to reflect on the findings and consider how to take the recommendations forward.

Following an opening talk from David Hughes Esq J.P., we moved to a reflective exercise, asking participants to consider questions such as: “What is the purpose of the Problem-Solving Courts? How do your own perspectives and experiences shape your understanding of what meaningful justice looks like for people involved?”

This prompted rich and honest conversations about professional roles, power dynamics, and how we ensure women’s voices remain central in justice reform.

Throughout the day, we heard inspiring contributions from guest speakers. Fionnuala Gordon from One Small Thing guided us through the 6 core values of trauma-informed practice, applying these principles to the context of the PSCs. Dr Shona Minson, member of the Women's Justice Board and Research Associate at the University of Oxford, shared insights into the diverse models of PSCs across the UK and internationally. Dra. Jimena Monsalve, a Penal Enforcement Judge in Buenos Aires, Argentina offered a deeply moving perspective on care, compassion and human-centred justice. As a representative of the state, she spoke of the importance of acknowledging the harm systems can cause and the importance of her role in holding the state accountable. These talks reminded us that justice can be as much about relationships as it is about process.

Themes of restorative practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and meaningful inclusion ran throughout the event. Attendees reflected on the need to move beyond punitive models and truly invest in the support systems, such as Women’s Centres, that enable women to thrive.

Delegates in attendance shared feedback about their experience and what they enjoyed most about the Symposium:

“I have thoroughly enjoyed today, what an amazing day. Particularly insight into the PSC in Argentina”

“The variety of people: academics, probation, practitioner, lived experience, listening and learning together”.

At the end of the event, delegates were asked “What is one key insight or idea you are taking away from the event?” and “In what ways could the event or research report inform or influence your work?”  here are some examples from the feedback provided:

“Hope- change, reflection and learning is possible”

“I work in MOJ on Intensive Supervision Court  policy, could potentially influence future policy”.

Moving Forward

The symposium marked not an end point, but a beginning. We hope that the report and the event spark wider conversations about who we listen to, how justice is done, and how it can be reimagined in ways that honour the dignity and potential of women’s lives.