IN-CJ Podcast 019 – Scottish Perspectives On Trauma Informed Practice in Criminal Justice
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A chance to listen to the IN-CJ Newsdesk discussion, coordinated by Scott Grant of the School of Education and Social Work, University of Dundee. Trauma-informed practice is gathering pace in Scottish criminal justice social work. This session will explore the challenges and possibilities of using this approach with people made subject to community sanctions and measures. The session will hear from practitioners and leaders in the field.
This podcast focuses on how trauma-informed practice is being developed within Scotland’s justice social work and wider criminal justice system. The discussion draws together policy context, frontline perspectives, and reflections on the cultural change needed to embed trauma-informed approaches.
The conversation began by situating trauma as a public health issue. The 2019 Scottish Health Survey found that 71% of adults had experienced at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE), with 15% reporting four or more. These findings underline how widespread trauma is in society and why criminal justice services are increasingly recognising its impact.
Alex Donnell described trauma-informed practice as a strengths-based framework rooted in safety, empowerment, and recovery. He emphasised the importance of reframing behaviours not simply as risks, but as coping mechanisms linked to earlier trauma.
Becky Johnson reflected on her work in a gender-specific service for women. She highlighted the value of safe, homely environments, consistent support, and trust-building in helping women engage and move towards recovery.
John Bradley shared insights from working with men convicted of violent and sexual offences. He stressed the need to prioritise safety and stabilisation before treatment, to avoid reducing individuals to risk categories, and to acknowledge the role of trauma in shaping offending behaviour.
The discussion highlighted that cultural change is central to trauma-informed practice. Panelists pointed to the role of language, environment, and organisational practices in either perpetuating stigma or fostering recovery. They argued for dropping labels such as “criminal,” involving service users as co-creators of practice, and ensuring that leadership and training support staff in this transition.
Challenges remain: sustaining training, preventing staff burnout, and securing consistent leadership support. Yet the examples shared demonstrated how trauma-informed practice can create safer, more compassionate, and more effective justice services.
This conversation shows that Scotland is making real progress in embedding trauma-informed principles into criminal justice, and that learning from practitioners and people with lived experience is vital for making this vision sustainable.
Listen to the full discussion in IN-CJ Podcast 019 – Scottish Perspectives on Trauma-Informed Practice in Criminal Justice.
