Life After Prison

At the end of last year the Labour government introduced the Courts and Tribunals Bill. In this bill, the government are proposing to reduce the use of juries and have some criminal cases decided by a judge alone. Some very big changes. This week we unpack key parts of this bill, and look at the implications it will have IF it is passed. The Lammy Review - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/lammy-reviewPrison Reform Trust - Works to create a fairer and more effective criminal justice system, focusing on improving conditions in prisons and reducing unnecessary imprisonment. They conducts research, influences policy, and advocates for reforms that support rehabilitation and reduce reoffending.This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Contact us:If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us.💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok📧 Email: [email protected]✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by Glodi Wabelua. From a young age he struggled to fit in at school and soon found himself deep into a life of crime. The years that followed were a mix of prison sentences and life threatening injuries. Each experience leaving its mark and shaping who he was.  In 2019, he stood trial in a landmark case, as the first person in the UK to be convicted of human trafficking under the Modern Slavery Act.  Today he uses his story to educate and mentor young people, to avoid the paths that he walked and change the narratives placed on them. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Useful Organisations New Horizon Youth Centre is a London-based charity supporting young people aged 16–24 who are experiencing homelessness or unsafe housing. It provides advice, advocacy, mental health support and practical services to help young people move towards stability and independence. The Ben Kinsella Trust (London)– Works on preventing youth violence and supporting those at risk of gang involvement. XO Bikes (London) - Trains and employ bicycle mechanics, providing prison-based training and post-release work opportunities to reduce reoffending and support community reintegration. Contact us:If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us.💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok📧 Email: [email protected]✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by Nick Hadris. Nick’s story is one of resilience, reflection, and using personal experience to help others move forward. After spending time in prison, Nick faced the challenge of rebuilding his life and finding a new direction. Since then, he’s worked tremendously hard to turn that experience into something positive - supporting others who are coming through the system and trying to rebuild their own lives. More recently, Nick completed a 250 mile bike ride fundraiser inspired by the memory of a close friend, raising awareness and showing the power of community and purpose after prison. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Organisations RAW Talent programme - A programme by COOK Trading Ltd that supports people facing barriers to employment, including those leaving prison, into paid work. It focuses on potential over experience, offering training, support and pathways into permanent jobs. Speak to your probation officer or support worker to receive a referral.www.cookfood.netBounce Back – trains people in trades like painting, decorating, scaffolding, and helps them into work after release. Spark2Life (London) – Offers mentoring and workshops to help young people and adults make positive life changes, often led by individuals with lived experience of the criminal justice system. Mind (UK-wide) – Provides support and advice for anyone experiencing a mental health problem. https://www.mind.org.uk/ Contact us:If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us.💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok📧 Email: [email protected]✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we’re joined by Rhia a mother, a widow, and a woman who has transformed deep adversity into a driving force for change. In the aftermath of her partners death, her life took a turn, and she would soon become involved in drug activities, resulting in a 2-year prison sentence. Having personally experienced the justice system from both sides, she now dedicates her time to helping women rise beyond trauma and rebuild their lives through her organisation Fly Girl Foundation. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Organisations:Fly Girl Foundation - Empower women and girls affected by trauma and the criminal justice system. Creating safe spaces, mentoring and creative programmes to support healing, confidence and positive life change Daddyless Daughters - Support girls and young women who have been affected by family breakdown, abuse and adversity across London between the age of 14 - 30 years old. The Triangle Trust - Fund small and medium-sized organisations working within the criminal justice system. Focusing particularly on projects that support people with convictions — including women and young people — to reduce reoffending and improve rehabilitation outcomes. Working Chance (National) – Helps women with convictions get back into employment. The Shannon Trust - Helps people in prison and after release to improve reading and communication skills through peer-led learning. Contact us:If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us.💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok📧 Email: [email protected]✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we are joined by author and poet Will Pendray. His debut poetry collection Overgrown contains extracts from throughout his sentence, where he would use poetry to work through the things he was dealing with. Whilst serving his sentence, Will began studying at Open University and would go on to complete an MA in Creative Writing. He now uses poetry to inspire change, returning to prisons and communities to share his work and story. Useful Organisations Safe Ground – Use storytelling, creative writing, and the arts in prisons to help people reflect, build identity, and support rehabilitation.  Clean Break – They use theatre, writing, and storytelling to empower women affected by the criminal justice system, helping them express their experiences and build new opportunities. Longford trust - Supports people with convictions to access higher education while in prison and after release. Provides scholarships, mentoring, and employability support to help individuals build brighter futures and reduce reoffending. National literacy trust - a UK charity dedicated to improving reading, writing, speaking and listening skills among children and young people. It works with schools, communities and businesses to tackle literacy inequality and help disadvantaged pupils reach their full potential. Unbarred Press - an independent UK publisher that showcases writing and artwork created by people in prison and after release. It provides a platform for underrepresented voices, helping writers gain recognition, confidence and opportunities beyond the criminal justice system. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Contact us:If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us.💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok📧 Email: [email protected]✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.