Evolving Prisons

Justin Jones has worked in corrections in America for 47 years and was Director of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for 8 years. During this time he witnessed 28 executions of people on death row. Who is there when the execution takes place? How did watching these impact him, particularly since he doesn’t believe in the death penalty? How did he get access to the drug required when pharmaceutical companies weren’t providing it? And if it isn’t a medical professional or prison staff member who administers the lethal injection, then who is it? 

I took the podcast to HMP Shrewsbury to interview former prison officer Graham, who has 38 years' experience in the job. He spent many years working at Shrewsbury, a prison that is said to be one of the most haunted in the world. What was it like to work here? How has prison work changed over the decades? CEO of the site, Joel, joins us to share paranormal experiences that have occurred within the prison.

Dr Amanda Brown was a GP in a leafy suburb for 20 years before going to work in prison, despite not knowing doctors even worked in prisons. She spent 19 years working with both male and female prisoners, and foreign nationals. Dr Brown is also the author of The Prison Doctor book series. She shares some highs and lows with us, including traumatic experiences that will stay with her forever, and tells us why working in a prison has shifted her values.

Tarmi A'Vard is the wife of a prison officer. She talks about how it feels to see her husband, Chris, changed by the job. He was hospitalised on numerous occasions after attacks by prisoners and Tarmi shares the toll the job has taken on their marriage and social life. She also tells us about their difficult road ahead as Chris tries to recover from his experiences.