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• 23:00 - Law as a social construction – and why our approach is outdated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

🫶 To support me by donating to help cover my costs for the free resources I provide click here: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support

📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/membership-interested

🖥️ Check out my brand new short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/short-courses

✍️ Get your Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/supervision

📱Connect socially with Marianne and check out ways to work with her, including the Aspiring Psychologist Book, Clinical Psychologist book and The Aspiring Psychologist Membership on her Link tree: https://linktr.ee/drmariannetrent

💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspiringpsychologistcommunity

Like, Comment, Subscribe & get involved:

If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes. If you'd like to learn how to record and submit your own audio testimonial to be included in future shows head to: https://www.goodthinkingpsychology.co.uk/podcast and click the blue request info button at the top of the page.

Hashtags:

#aspiringpsychologist #dclinpsy #psychology #assistantpsychologist #psychologycareers #podcast #psychologypodcast #clinicalpsychologist #mentalhealth #traineeclinicalpsychologist #clinicalpsychology #drmariannetrent #mentalhealthprofessional #gettingqualified #mentalhealthprofessionals #traineepwp #mdt #qualifiedpsychologist #traineepsychologist #aspiringpsychologists #wellbeing