THE lives of women who fall under the radar in the criminal justice system are the focus of a pioneering, long-awaited project.

Hearing the stories of young adult Muslim women trying to “reconstruct their lives” after prison has always spurred on Bradford researcher Dr Sofia Buncy DL.

“Most Muslim women after leaving prisons feel that there isn’t the level of appropriate support to help them to readjust back into society," Dr Buncy said.

"Their sense of isolation and vulnerability multiplies in cases where they are relocated or choose to relocate for safety reasons. Several feel unable to return to their families and consequently are left without accommodation and income.

“Some leave feeling that they have no family and no friends and no means to get back onto the survival ladder, resulting in low confidence and poor social skills. For others, it is like being born again but without caring and protective hands around them with the added debilitating stigma of having a prison record.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: MWIP Project Director Dr Sofia Buncy, Dr Alexandria Bradley from Leeds Beckett University, and Dr Sarah Goodwin against a backdrop of Bradford - one of many cities set to benefit from the pioneering projectMWIP Project Director Dr Sofia Buncy, Dr Alexandria Bradley from Leeds Beckett University, and Dr Sarah Goodwin against a backdrop of Bradford - one of many cities set to benefit from the pioneering project (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

Now the co-founder of the Muslim Women in Prison project (MWIP) will be working alongside Leeds Beckett University. 

The ground-breaking study will delve into the experiences of young Muslim girls aged between 17 and 25 years entering the criminal justice system (CJS).

It is hoped to better rehabilitate Muslim women and girls into society and stop them from falling into a cycle of criminality.

Funded by the Barrow Cadbury Trust and Transition To Adulthood (T2A), the study is believed to be the first of its kind, with a specific focus on the intersection of gender, age, and faith.

Laurie Hunte, T2A Programme Manager, said: “The Young Women’s Justice Project 2022 report found that Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority young women face both gender and racial inequality while in the justice system.

“We’re incredibly proud to support this vital research project that can help us better understand the challenges and create a blueprint for age-appropriate, gender-responsive, and culturally competent services.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: MWIP Project Director Dr Sofia Buncy, Dr Alexandria Bradley from Leeds Beckett University, and Dr Sarah Goodwin will be sharing young Muslim women's voices in the researchMWIP Project Director Dr Sofia Buncy, Dr Alexandria Bradley from Leeds Beckett University, and Dr Sarah Goodwin will be sharing young Muslim women's voices in the research (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

It follows almost a decade of work by MWIP to listen to young Muslim women’s voices.

Dr Buncy said: “Everyone deserves a second chance in life and perhaps more so these women who in many cases are historically victims of injustice and were unable to avail timely help and support.

“Our rehabilitative work to date seems to confirm that given the right support at the right time, these women could be helped to reconstruct their lives, and many have already done that.

“This research is very much community-led but supported by academics.”

Speaking about barriers that stop some Muslim women from sharing their voice in research, Dr Buncy said: “The biggest barrier is perhaps that of apathy the belief that no one really cares and the resignation to suffering in silence. This is further compounded by a sense of shame, both real or perceived.

"We hope that the track record of our project and the ethical manner in which we have previously carried out our research will encourage women to trust us.”