Critical reflections on women, family, crime and justice. IslaMasson, LucyBaldwin & NatalieBooth (Eds.) Bristol: Policy Press. 2021. 248pp. £85.00 (hbk); £26.99 (pbk); £26.99 (ebk) ISBN: 978–1447358688; 978–1447358695; 978–1447358671

There are books that one wishes they had read earlier on in life, to help shape and mould career paths perceptions of the world. This important original book is them. It essential reading for anyone working field criminal justice or interested learning more about adverse consequences imprisonment individuals their families – this case women, book's being ‘by, women’ (p.xi). An edited collection essays by feminist researchers, activists, practitioners people with experience prison, ambitious volume draws research from Women, Family, Crime Justice network, launched April 2018, practice lived criminalised women. Its wide breadth includes a look at such topics as impact short sentences; social cultural practices weave violence into South Asian women's lives; trauma-specific therapeutic approaches sex workers; key role schools supporting children incarcerated; research. What exactly does ‘feminist research’ entail? Co-editor author Lucy Baldwin points difficulties defining concept historically. A fundamental principle research, she argues, reflectivity constant examination context which knowledge co-produced, emphasis researcher-researched relationship. In way, women informed experiences, works redress imbalance power, allows researchers’ feelings, actions, motives vulnerabilities be part equation. Feminist pays attention process itself so it promotes helps implement change fostering agency, engagement, visibility inclusion participants all seminal considerations given rarely voice. The book, aims ‘platform critical discussions’ (p.4), features pathways forward developing implementing effective support policies, reaching greater number tangible systemic within system (CJS) itself. vividly conveys multiple aspects what wrong side gender gap actually means. goes beyond statistical data highlight disproportionate sentences minor offences lay bare structural influences injustices often underpinning an individual's going prison. language its exacerbating stigma (note, example, Ministry Justice's references ‘female offenders’); cyclical trauma; power paradigms. latter examined not only CJS but also academic communities investigating experiences punishment. series compelling reflection end each chapter stir reader contemplate further. bemoans paucity actual progress implemented heavily male-dominated despite abundance punishment circumstances have navigate. her foreword, Jenny Earle highlights just how long has taken acknowledge differences incarceration ignoring shame rife among prisoners; ways relationships can serve protective elements men yet create major ‘criminogenic risk factor’ many women; inadequate trauma separation children; general previous prior conviction. authors do certain positive developments 2019 Lord Farmer Report recommendations (Farmer, 2019) see family ties cross-cutting priority rollout new gender-specific Offender Management Model (we might note stigmatising word again, systematised name) prisons. community recognising individual needs, workers theory providing ‘bespoke’ prisoners. Yet between stated objectives benefits, crucial long-term female prison population slated increase estimated 10,000 due recruitment additional 20,000 police officers (written submission Justice: Reducing custody (nd). Available at: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/37074/pdf/ [Accessed 6 2022]). Hence current multi-site expansion estate England Wales. Does take anticipated spike fully prioritise estate? criminalisation board game been developed tool illustrate experiencing If first glance idea seems trivialise issues challenges those face, proves very apt metaphor laying out terrain must navigate probation supervision. intricate played, watching every move, bearing burden proof vis-à-vis feminine respectability ‘appropriate gendered characteristics desistance’, managing ‘acceptable’ ways, losing weight sign transformation reform, building up capital through mothering homemaking evidence ‘deviant’ demure. short, proving themselves worthy invest access prison-based interventions networks. inherent biases practitioners, who open shut doors opportunity according ‘worthiness’ construed. exempt similar burdens proof, go lengths demonstrate appropriate desistance. Many emotional associated outlined maintaining housing, poverty, forcible concomitant issues, substance abuse addiction found across jurisdictions, offsetting degree UK-centricity. finger patriarchal systems core principles neo-liberalism, predominating Europe, even corporatist democratic countries like Germany, Sweden Denmark, UK described ‘the most favourable “micro-climate” neo-liberalism Western Europe’ (Schmidt & Thatcher, 2014, p.345). Another European stereotypes double standards exposed when parents conflict law, Heidensohn's (1989) deviance whereby punished both alleged crime expectations norms common presumptions ‘one few sometimes problems than thousand male prisoners’ (Kowalski 2009, p.88).i Women Wales, other countries, tend imprisoned less serious non-violent offences. Prison harms parent incarcerated, custodial Isla Masson contribution volume. Disruptions children's affect quality early attachments, predictor functioning later life. authorities decision makers should better understand decisions, regulations policies respect contact psychological, development, thus impacting society large. Positive solutions include, others, staff specification values, criteria ‘implicit knowledge’, skills understanding cannot learned; shifts framing encompass values love; laughter technique ‘relational association’ shared vulnerability linchpins relationship building, cited here reference healing processes importance mothers (and fathers) communicate child imprisonment. inveighs against ‘McDonaldization’ services maximise efficiency cost effectiveness expense empathy, thought skill building. And glaring gaps support, including CJS, notably schools. Currently there no single body responsible mothers/fathers alternative carers during imprisonment, nor information agencies These stumbling blocks gleaning caregiving arrangements care 312,000 annually UK, some 17,000 impacted mother (Kincaid, Roberts Kane, 2019). pronounced 2.1 million continent (Children Prisoners 2022), since pioneered innovative schemes make walls permeable prisons point need national local provide resources training schools, impetus currently civil organisations. enhancing advocacy families. But let us pause moment reflect. As mentioned, women’. strategic approach if you seeking usher come about, least part, via action structures? premise publication's ‘for alienate stakeholders whom wish influence? closes powerful essay drives home urgent genuine ticking boxes tokenism. ‘Service users used: thoughts community’, Michaela Booth Paula Harriott contend ‘used’ development policies. Researchers advance careers earn salaries carry maintain, marginalise participants, remain anonymous under guise protection ethical imperatives fact, mirroring society's exclusion these process. They articulate truly reform capitalising integral foster along way. maternal saw imperative helped steer volunteer positions ultimately them gainful employment. cite raising participants’ awareness work lives, too, become recognised experts experience, involved step co-production publication launch subsequent follow-up, honing they, join labour market. way ‘knowledge equity’ enhanced promoted. Education liberation, stress, quoting Freire (1970). ends essay, embodies hope promise gain equipped rise victimhood.