The Griffins Society Research Listings
This page hosts the Griffins Society Research Archive, now preserved and made accessible by the Probation Institute. The archive contains over 30 years of practitioner‑led research into the treatment of women and girls in the criminal justice system, originally supported by the charity The Griffins Society, which closed in 2024. Hosting this archive reflects the Probation Institute’s ongoing commitment to evidence‑informed practice, inclusion, and research that amplifies under‑represented voices.
The Griffins Society was a national charity dedicated to sponsoring indicative, practitioner‑led research into the experiences of women and girls in criminal justice.
The Society focused on women because equality of treatment does not ensure equality of outcomes. It championed gender‑specific responses within a system predominantly designed for men, supporting small‑scale, qualitative research that foregrounded lived experience and informed practice and policy.
Although often small‑scale, this work was frequently timely, impactful, and influential, shining a light on gaps in provision and acting as a catalyst for change.
While the Griffins Society has closed, its research legacy continues to inform debate, practice, and policy.
The Probation Institute now builds on this work through its Research Awards, including a dedicated award stream focused on women in the justice system, ensuring that practitioner‑led research on women’s experiences remains central to professional learning and development.