Thanks to a new ground-breaking guide developed by APPEAL (Centre for Criminal Appeals) in partnership with Dr Lucy Welsh, Reader in Criminal Justice and with input from women with lived experience of the criminal appeals process, women in prison will have access to clear information to make informed choices about criminal appeals for the first time.

Formerly, women who had been wrongly convicted were forced to make life‑changing decisions with little clear or accessible information. ‘Seeking Justice: A Guide to Criminal Appeals’ responds to a longstanding gap.

Funded by the Nuffield Foundation and launched at the offices of Reed Smith LLP, the guide is an authoritative yet accessible resource for appeals and the Criminal Cases Review Commission that will empower women who need the information.

Dr Welsh said:

“The guide was the work of many hands over many months, including pro bono partners at Reed Smith and Citi, Dr Laura Janes KC (Hon), Tara Casey, Emma Torr (Co‑Director of APPEAL), Nadiyah Akoo, Alannah Burdess, Emma Goodall KC, staff at HMP Send, and of course all the women who shared their often traumatic experiences with us - including Amy who spoke at our event. Many thanks also to Andy Aitchison who provided brilliant photographs both for the guide and the event!

Over the coming weeks the guide will be available online and we aim to send copies into womens' prisons across England and Wales.”