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Criminology Careers Event - Work for Criminal Justice, Work for Social Justice

When: —
Venue: Birkbeck Clore Management Centre

No booking required

Criminology Careers Event - Work for Criminal Justice, Work for Social Justice

The Department of Criminology at Birkbeck is delighted to host Dame Anne Owers.

Dame Anne is National Chair of the Independent Monitoring Boards (IMBs) (2017-). IMBs provide statutory, independent oversight, monitoring the treatment and care of prisoners and detainees. They operate in prisons, young offender institutions, immigration removal centres, some short-term holding facilities and on flights for those being removed from the UK.

As Chair, Dame Anne supports the work of 124 IMBs and 1400 volunteers with statutory responsibility for monitoring prisons in England and Wales and places of immigration detention in the UK. It includes setting up a new governance structure and developing and implementing strategies, policies and procedures to assist effectiveness and impact; and liaison with external stakeholders including ministers, department and services.

Dame Anne is also Chair of the Koestler Trust (2013-). The Koestler Trust awards, exhibits and sells a range of artworks by prisoners, detainees and secure patients. It receives 8,000 entries every year, holds exhibitions and runs a mentoring scheme.

Previously, Dame Anne was the Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC, now renamed the Independent Office for Police Conduct). The body oversees the police complaints system, deals with appeals against internal complaint investigation and directly investigates serious allegations and incidents, such as deaths following police contact. Over the period 2014-2017, the IPCC nearly trebled its staff, took on nearly five times as many investigations and restructured its operational systems and governance.


Dame Anne was Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons (2001-2010) and chaired a review of prisons in Northern Ireland (2010-2012). She chaired Clinks (2011-2018, the umbrella organisation for the voluntary sector working in prisons and probation) and was Non-Executive Director of the Criminal Cases Review Commission (2010-14). Further roles include Chair of Christian Aid (2008-2012), Director of Justice (1992-2001) and General Secretary for the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (1986-1992).

We welcome Dame Anne and look forward to learning about how she came to her current role.

Please note that this event is open only to current Criminology students at Birkbeck.

About Criminology Careers Events
Criminology Careers Events introduce students to criminology related employers and the opportunities and challenges involved in developing a career path. Events cover:

  • The practicalities of developing a career, from work experience to recruitment.
  • Themes relevant to criminology research and teaching, from criminal justice policy and practice to social and racial justice.

Each session lasts 90 minutes, and involves short talks from a panel of professionals who explain how they arrived at their current role. There is opportunity for group Q&A as well as informal 1-1 time with speakers. Events are an opportunity to socialise with peers in the department. Refreshments and snacks are provided. Find out more here.

This event is free however booking is required via this page.

Latecomers to the event are not guaranteed entry. Please be advised that photographs may be taken at the event. Please note that this booking is through the 3rd party service Eventbrite and by making this booking you are a customer of Eventbrite.

Please contact us if you have any access requirements. More details of accessibility at Birkbeck venues can be found here.

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