<p>You probably don't need reminding how much of a mess our prisons are at the moment - run-down, overcrowded and sometimes with a revolving door for prisoners who reoffend.&nbsp;One of the charities supported by this year’s Times and Sunday Times Christmas appeal is Switchback, who’ve had great success at helping ex-offenders to ‘go straight’ when they leave prison.</p><br><p>For more information on this year’s Christmas Appeal and to donate, visit <a href="https://times.ctdonate.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://times.ctdonate.org/</a>&nbsp;</p><br><p><em>This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: </em><a href="http://thetimes.com/thestory" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>http://thetimes.com/thestory</em></a></p><br><p><strong>Guests:&nbsp;</strong></p><ul><li>Hamza - Former prisoner helped by Switchback</li><li>Daisy Eastlake, reporter, The Times.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><p><strong>Host:</strong>&nbsp;Luke Jones.</p><p><strong>Producer:</strong> Shabnam Grewal.</p><p><strong>Read more:</strong>&nbsp;</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.thetimes.com/comment/the-times-view/article/switchback-lifeline-young-prisoners-06xf8tz0v" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Switchback is a lifeline for young prisoners</a></li><li><a href="https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/yoga-jail-switchback-christmas-appeal-9sgbrxgvf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">After jail, yoga helped me realise I was not in danger any more</a><strong>&nbsp;</strong></li></ul><p><strong>Photo: Getty Images.</strong>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Get in touch:</strong> <a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">[email protected]</a></p><p><em>This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism&nbsp;subscribe&nbsp;</em><a href="https://www.thetimes.com/subscribe/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>here</em></a><em>.</em></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>