Transparency in Justice: My Insights25 visit to the Houses of Parliament  

Josie Ashwood

National Integrated Offender Management Partnership and Stakeholder Lead,

HMPPS

Why did I attend? 

With an interest in governance and policy, when Insights25 tickets opened in the summer of 2025, I jumped at the chance to apply for a ticket from the VIP ballot for an opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament and meet Andy Slaughter MP, Chair of the Justice Select Committee.  

What I found in the winding corridors of Parliament 

Fast forward to November 2025 and I found myself and a few other lucky winners, being escorted through the winding corridors of the Houses of Parliament – a building I had only ever admired from the outside – and taken to a room for our round table with Andy.  

Immediately I was stunned by how truly enormous and intricate Parliament is – I do wonder how no one ever gets lost (or perhaps they do!). 

We met with Andy, who also is MP for Hammersmith and Chiswick, and he explained the work of the Justice Select Committee. It is a cross-party group of MPs in the House of Commons, responsible for reviewing and delving into the work of the Ministry of Justice and related bodies.  

Andy was really generous with his time, going around the room and asking each of us which department we were from and what our roles were. Andy invited us to reflect on the recently published Justice Committee paper on rehabilitation and resettlement, and we discussed some of the challenges we face in our roles, such as recruitment and retention and workload pressures.  

Following our meeting with Andy, we had a guided tour of some other areas in the Houses of Parliament, including St Stephen’s Hall, the Central Lobby, and the Houses of Parliament Post Office, before concluding where we started in Westminster Hall.  

My reflections 

I found my visit to Parliament to be a fascinating window into parliamentary processes. It really made me think about how essential parliamentary oversight is, and how the Justice Select Committee helps ensure transparency in the justice system.  

Transparency is the cornerstone of trust, something I rely a lot on in my role as National Integrated Offender Management Partnership and Stakeholder Lead. It reminded me that accountability and openness aren’t abstract ‘principles’ – they’re what allow us to build the honest, effective partnerships that the criminal justice system relies on.  

I’d like to say thank you to Insights 2025 and Andy Slaughter MP for this rare backstage access to the Houses of Parliament and to learn about the Justice Select Committee, and the unique insights it gave me. Keep your eye out for more opportunities to understand more about the different parts of our criminal justice sector.  

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