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...
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Life After Prison The Spark: Milan
Life After Prison
In this episode Jules chats to Milan. Milan works as a careers advisor, alongside studying for a degree in criminology. She’s a self confessed ‘geek’, which is something she found out about herself while serving 8 years of a 16 year sentence in prison. Milan talks to Jules about the different obstacles she dealt with in prison, including the death of a loved one, and what it was like being released after 8 years inside. The full version of this episode can be found wherever you get your podcasts: Useful organisations: Prison Fellowship ID Essence St Giles Trust Contact us: If...
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Did You Ever Get Ghosted On A Prison Visit?
Life After Prison
In this episode Zak and Jules discuss prison visits. They share their memories of visits they had while they were serving sentences, and talk about what they learned from people still inside about the things they like best about visits. They also talk about the prison walk of shame; what happens when someone ghosts you on a visit. In part 2, Zak and Jules share more of their personal memories of visits and hear from some family members of people in prison about what they love about visiting their people inside, and also what they find difficult. They also break down what...
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Life After Prison The Spark: Kirsty G
Life After Prison
In this episode Jules talks to somebody who is working hard to make prisons more supportive places for people with autism. Kirsty has an autism diagnosis herself, and after many years of struggling to find the right support, and having spent time in prison herself, knows what needs to change. She is now using her voice to make changes in the criminal justice system for people who are neurodiverse. Useful organisations: Ingeus, Junction 42, NHS The Samaritans Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d...
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A Prison Officer's Story: Alex South
Life After Prison
In this episode, Zak and Jules sit down with former Prison Officer, Alex South to discuss her time working in some of the UKs most notorious prisons including HMPs Whitemoor, Wormwood Scrubs and Belmarsh. Alex tells Zak and Jules about the main reasons she wanted to become a prison officer, and talks about the characters she met and the conditions she saw in the prisons she worked in. Alex also shares what she thinks needs to be done to improve conditions for staff and prisoners living and working in the UK's prisons, and the importance of positive relationships...
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/