Katy Swaine Williams is a research and policy consultant focused on reforming the treatment of women in, or at risk of, contact with the criminal justice system. She served as a member of the independent Women's Justice Board, appointed by government in 2025 to help shape work to reduce women's imprisonment.
Katy started as a solicitor in the private sector and has since spent over 20 years in senior voluntary sector roles focused on criminal justice, human rights and equality. After roles at Release, the Children's Rights Alliance for England and the Prison Reform Trust, she has worked freelance since 2020. At the Centre for Women's Justice, Katy leads a project to prevent the unjust criminalisation of victim-survivors of violence against women and girls. She has also worked on projects for organisations including Hibiscus Initiatives, Brighton Women's Centre, Prisoners' Education Trust, MOPAC and HM Prisons and Probation Service, and is an associate of the Centre for Justice Innovation and Homeless Link.
Katy supports Birth Companions on research and policy projects.