Life After Prison The Spark: Beatrice
Life After Prison
In this episode Jules chats to Beatrice, who has very recently been released from prison. As an aspiring prison reformer, Beatrice talks about using her experience for good. Together, Beatrice and Jules discuss the mix of emotions that come with release, the current state of the prison system and Beatrice’s hopes for the future. Useful links and organisations: Beatrice’s Spectator Article Prison Reform Trust The Longford Trust Open University Our listeners are the most important part of Life After Prison and we want to...
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How Prison Sparked a Mission to Prevent Youth Offending | Joel Dunn
Life After Prison
In this episode, Joel Dunn, founder of The Paradigm Project, shares his journey from prison to founding a charity focused on preventing youth involvement in the criminal justice system. He talks about his background, how it all started with a mentoring course in prison, and the support network that helped him rebuild his life. Joel also discusses the importance of understanding his own story, why he chose to work in prevention, and the impact of The Paradigm Project’s work. Plus, he shares insights from his research into the school-to-prison pipeline. This podcast is also available...
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Life After Prison The Spark: Barbara
Life After Prison
In this episode, Jules sits down with social impact entrepreneur, Barbara Burton. While awaiting trail, Barbara wrote a sixteen-page business plan, which became her first social enterprise during her twelve month prison sentence. Barbara talks about becoming an entrepreneur, the art of pivoting and being named as one of the BBC’s 100 Women of the World. Our listeners are the most important part of Life After Prison and we want to hear from you! Your feedback is really important as it lets our funders know what you think of the project, and helps make sure they...
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Released From Prison Early?
Life After Prison
In this episode of Life After Prison, Zak and Jules discuss the SDS40 scheme which facilitates early release from prison. They reflect on their own experiences and on the impact of families and friends of those being released. They discuss whether this scheme is a long-term solution and if not, what needs to change. Our listeners are the most important part of Life After Prison and we want to hear from you! Your feedback is really important as it lets our funders know what you think of the project, and helps make sure they continue to support Life After Prison. So it would be a...
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Life After Prison The Spark: Catherine
Life After Prison
In this episode Jules speaks to Catherine, a qualified personal trainer at Fitness Rush. Catherine and Jules share a love of fitness – but it’s something Catherine only recently discovered on her sobriety journey. After living through cycles of addiction, homelessness and criminality, Catherine talks about finding stability, being nominated for a National Fitness Award, and using her past as her purpose. Our listeners are the most important part of Life After Prison and we want to hear from you! Your feedback is really important as it lets our funders know what you think of the...
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Why the Justice System Needs to Change for Women | Kate Fraser
Life After Prison
In this episode of Life After Prison, we’re joined by Kate Fraser, Head of Practice at Women In Prison, an organisation dedicated to supporting women impacted by the criminal justice system. Kate shares her journey through the prison system and into this work, exploring the unique challenges women face within the system. Kate also shares her vision of what real, systemic change could look like for women in the justice system and why inclusive, trauma-informed approaches are key to creating lasting solutions. This podcast is also available as a video – just search on YouTube. Our...
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Life After Prison The Spark: Kirsty B
Life After Prison
In this episode, Jules is in conversation with Kirsty. Kirsty had a tough childhood, and was exposed to drugs and violence from an early age, she was also let down by the people who were supposed to care for her. She went on to battle with her own addictions, and while spending time in prison found a path to recovery. Kirsty now spends her time helping other people coming out of prison to do the same. Useful organisations: Ingeus The Turnaround Project- Women's Work https://www.womens-work.org.uk/projects/the-turn-around-project/ Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in this podcast...
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How Do You Leave Your Old Life Behind After Jail?
Life After Prison
In this episode, Zak and Jules chat through the challenges that come with leaving your old life behind after you’ve been in prison. Zak and Jules discuss the strategies they have employed both while inside and on the outside to make sure they keep away from their old lives. They also hear from listeners who share some thoughtful advice on this topic and they share some inspiring words that they find helpful in keeping them grounded on their life after prison journey. This podcast is also available as a video – just search on YouTube. Useful...
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Life After Prison The Spark: Michelle
Life After Prison
In this episode Jules chats to Michelle, a real force to be reckoned with. Michelle is a huge advocate for people with lived experience of prison working within the criminal justice system, as she knows first hand how powerful that is, and how the right support can go a long way. Michelle experienced a lot of trauma as a child and has dealt with a lot of heartache over the years, which resulted in years of addiction. She now does everything she can to help other people make the changes she’s made herself to improve their lives. Useful organisations: First Contact Clinical Neca Junction 42...
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I Changed My Mindset In Jail: Kieron Bryan
Life After Prison
Kieron Bryan is an author, entrepreneur and former prisoner. In this episode, Kieron tells Zak and Jules how while serving a long prison sentence he discovered his passion for books, and read over 250 behind the door. He also shares how he used the skills he learned while in jail to set up multiple businesses, write a chess book for kids called ‘The Pawn Who Wants To Be Queen’, and how he has kept his mindset on track post release doing his Masters Degree and growing all his businesses. If you're inspired by Kieron's story, and are thinking about starting...
info_outlineIn this episode, Zak and Jules sit down with Ian Thomas to talk about his experience of the care system, and his journey from care to addiction, prison and recovery. In the first part of this incredible conversation, Ian shares the story of how he was first arrested aged 10.5, and talks about how his addiction began.
If you’re struggling with your mental health and you need support today, you can contact The Samaritans on 116 123 any time of the day or night.
Please know that you are not alone, you matter and there are people out there who can help you.
This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube.
Organisations mentioned:
The Rees Foundation: https://www.reesfoundation.org/ Number to call Mon-Fri 9-5: 0330 094 5645
The Forward Trust https://www.forwardtrust.org.uk/
The Care Leavers Covenant https://mycovenant.org.uk/
The Care Leavers Association https://www.careleavers.com/
Other organisations that you may find helpful:
Support with Your Mental Health:
CALM – https://www.thecalmzone.net/
CALM helpline – 0800 58 58 58 (open 5pm-midnight)
Samaritans – https://www.samaritans.org/
Samaritans helpline – 116 123 (24 hours)
MIND – https://www.mind.org.uk
MIND Infoline number – 0300 123 3393 (provides an information and signposting service. Open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday except for bank holidays.)
SHOUT – text for free any time on 85258 – https://giveusashout.org/
NHS Mental Health Services – https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/menta...
Together – https://www.together-uk.org/
Turning Point – https://www.turning-point.co.uk/servi...
Rethink – https://www.rethink.org/
If you’re a woman, these orgs can help direct you to a women's centre which is a great place to find all kinds of support:
Women In Prison – https://womeninprison.org.uk/
Advance/Minerva – https://www.advancecharity.org.uk/
Support with Addiction and Recovery:
Breaking Free/Change Grow Live – https://www.changegrowlive.org/
Kaleidoscope – https://kaleidoscope68.org/
Turning Point – https://www.turning-point.co.uk/support-we-offer/drugs-and-alcohol
Nelson Trust – https://www.nelsontrust.com/
We Are With You – https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/
Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in today’s episode has helped you, or if you just want to get in touch, please do.
💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter @lifeafterprisonpod on TikTok
📧 Email us: [email protected]
✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF
🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/