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On 8^th April 2026, the author and retired Old Bailey judge Wendy Joseph KC gave a talk at HMP Downview as part of the , organised by David Kendall. During the talk, Wendy Joseph KC discussed her most recent book, Rough Justice, which enquires to what extent our criminal justice system succeeds in achieving justice for women on trial. This event was linked to the Just Sentences creative workshops that took place at Downview at the end of 2025. During the workshops, the participants reflecting on sentencing remarks asked for a clearer definition of their purpose. We then wrote to Wendy and she wrote back with her understanding of what remarks were for, which we then shared with the group. Due to the group’s engaged with the theme, we when organised for Wendy to visit the prison and talk about her work; we also gave copies of Rough Justice to the group. The session was attended by the core of the Just Sentences participants and by other women at Downview.

Feedback about the session was very positive; it included:

• ‘I enjoyed Wendy’s honesty and knowledge. She was very engaging and humanised judges a little more.’
  
• ‘It was really interesting and informative. To have a better understanding of a system that is meant to be fair and yet overwhelmingly traumatic. The court experience for me was as traumatic as the past experience I was being tried for. Thank you for the insight.’