Barrister and author Chris Daw KC joins Dr Marianne Trent to discuss why punishment does not reduce crime and how trauma, inequality, childhood adversity and addiction drive people into the justice system. We explore the limitations of “getting tough on crime”, the impact of criminalising children, and what countries like Luxembourg and Switzerland can teach us about more effective, trauma-informed and compassionate approaches to justice. The conversation covers youth offending, drug policy, harm reduction, rehabilitation, and the long-term effects of shame and early environment on behaviour. This episode is particularly useful for aspiring psychologists, clinicians working in forensic or community settings, and anyone interested in understanding how justice systems can reduce reoffending and improve public safety. #criminaljustice #traumainformed #aspiringpsychologist

Highlights

00:00 - Welcome and introduction to barrister and author Chris Daw KC
01:40 - Why punishment fails to reduce crime and what really drives offending
03:20 - The justice system’s obsession with incarceration and its hidden costs
06:00 - Chris reflects on childhood, missed education, and forks in the road
08:45 - The impact of early environment and parental support on life chances
10:30 - A real-life story showing how deprivation fuels future outcomes
12:30 - Intergenerational inequality and the illusion of fairness in society
16:00 - Why “getting tough on crime” misunderstands human behaviour
18:00 - What justice should really aim for: fewer victims, safer communities
20:30 - The addiction to punishment and how politics fuels it
23:00 - Law as a social construction – and why our approach is outdated
26:00 - What Luxembourg’s youth justice model gets right
30:00 - Why children’s brains aren’t ready for adult accountability
34:00 - The role of shame and trauma in youth offending
36:30 - Should all drugs be legalised? Exploring global examples
40:00 - Lessons from Switzerland’s heroin-assisted treatment programme
45:30 - Why prohibition fuels addiction and crime
53:00 - What legalisation could look like in a regulated, licensed system
59:00 - Understanding the role of a barrister and what “KC” means
01:02:00 - Final reflections: compassion as the only path to justice that heals

Links: 📚 📲 Chris Daw KC’s website: https://www.chrisdawkc.com Chris' Book, Justice on Trial: https://amzn.to/4pb2RoP

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Justice on Trial: Why Punishment Doesn’t...