England and Wales have the largest prison population in Western Europe, with 80,000 currently incarcerated. In the US that number is 2.3 million. With governments around the world taking ‘tough on crime’ approaches, is the criminal justice system working? Is the punitive system protecting us, or making society less safe for us all?

Behind the Bars: How Do We Fix Our Prisons?

Since its foundation in 1823, the Oxford Union has grown to become the most famous speaking and debating society in the world. Each term, in our prestigious debating chamber, we play host to the people who shape our world - whether it be Presidents Nixon, Carter, and Reagan; Prime Ministers Churchill, Heath, Brown, and May; the leaders of the March for our Lives movement, or the journalists who broke the Harvey Weinstein story. As the COVID-19 crises continues, we have found a new platform to uphold this tradition. Our inaugural Podcast series, spanning eight weeks of the Oxford term, will feature actors, activists and global leaders, debates on the world's defining issues, and lighter relief at the weekend. This summer, we hope you will listen in.

Share Behind the Bars: How Do We Fix Our Prisons?

Sign up to save your podcasts

Behind the Bars: How Do We Fix Our Prisons?

Behind the Bars: How Do We Fix Our Prisons?