Life After Prison

Author, workshop facilitator and father Rich Jones sits down with Zak and Jules to talk about the impact that his time inside had on his sons and what he’s done to work on that relationship. As an ex-soldier, Rich also shares his experience about readjusting to life after prison vs life after the army and tells us about the work he does with veterans in prison.This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube.Useful organisations:CALMCALM helpline – 0800 58 58 58 (open 5pm-midnight)SamaritansSamaritans helpline – 116 123 (24 hours) CAMS MINDSSAFAProject NovaCare After CombatVeterans GatewayFamily ActionPACTContact 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.💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter📧 Email us: [email protected]✉️ Write to us: 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.

Usually on The Sit Down, we speak to someone who has been inside themselves or is close to someone who has. This episode is a little bit different, as we sit down with the outgoing Chief Probation Officer Sonia Flynn. The CPO is responsible for 18,000 probation workers across England and Wales – a role that Sonia has held since 2017. Here she reflects on her time on the role, answers questions about recall and MAPPA and tells us what she thinks needs to change.This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube.Useful organisations:NACROUnlockClinks DirectoryAdvanceWomen In PrisonContact 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.💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter📧 Email us: [email protected]✉️ Write to us: 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.

We’re back with series 2 of The Sit Down! And what better way to kick off than with poet, author, radio host and workshop facilitator, Lady Unchained. Here she talks to us about how her poetry kept her out of trouble while inside, breaking down the stereotype of being an “ex-offender” and what advice she’d give to people just getting out.This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube.Useful organisations:Arts AdminSound Delivery MediaNational Criminal Justice Arts AllianceAdvanceArkbound FoundationWomen In PrisonContact 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.💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter📧 Email us: [email protected]✉️ Write to us: 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.

The Sit Down is back with Series 2 next week on Thursday 26th January. 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. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: 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.

Building your confidence up again when you've spent time inside can be tough: Whether it’s navigating social situations, knowing what to say in a job interview, or feeling like people are judging you for your conviction. In this episode Zak and Jules break it down with some help from other people who've been behind the door. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Organisations mentioned: CALM CALM helpline – 0800 58 58 58 (open 5pm-midnight) Samaritans Samaritans helpline – 24 hours a day all year round on 116 123 MIND 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 NHS Mental Health Services Spark Inside Switchback Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in today’s episode that has helped you, or if you just want to get in touch, please do. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: 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.

Continuing or starting education after leaving prison can be a challenge. Here, Scott from the Shannon Trust explains the importance of education, what the challenges might be, and what options are out there. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Organisations mentioned: Shannon Trust Read Easy National Careers Service National Careers Service Hotline – 0800 100 900 WEA Open University NACRO Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in today’s episode has encouraged you to pick up education again, or if you just want to get in touch, please do. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: 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.

Today’s Sit Down features Earlonne Woods and Nigel Poor, hosts of the massive US podcast Ear Hustle. Ear Hustle started inside San Quentin Prison while Earlonne was still serving his sentence and it documents life inside the prison, something no other podcast has done before. Since coming out, Earlonne continues to make the show with Nigel, as well as campaigning for prison reform. Here, we hear the story of how exactly Ear Hustle came to be, why Nigel is so interested in prison work, and the similarities and differences between UK and US prisons. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Useful organisations: NACRO Unlock PACT Clinks Directory Irene Taylor Trust Koestler Arts Samaritans Samaritans helpline – 116 123 (24 hours) Survivors UK CALM CALM helpline – 0800 58 58 58 (open 5pm-midnight) Women In Prison Advance 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. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF 🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Ear Hustle: Website – https://www.earhustlesq.com/ Socials – @earhustlesq Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate Morrissey from NHS England joins us to explain how to register with a GP, talk about the NHS Reconnect service and how to access it and provides information about where else you can go for support for different healthcare needs. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Organisations mentioned: How to register with a GP surgery If you have problems registering with a GP surgery you can: Call the NHS England Customer Contact Centre on 0300 311 22 33 or contact your local Healthwatch Groundswell GP Registration Toolkit Groundswell 'My right to healthcare' cards The NHS website Get help for your symptoms - NHS 111 website or call 111 from your phone (calls are free). Call 111 to speak to someone if you need to: discuss complex medical problems discuss worries about a long-term condition get end-of-life care, or report a death report child protection or vulnerable adult concerns Other ways to contact 111 if you have a hearing problem or need help in other languages Support from your local pharmacy Frank (Drug Helpline) Help & Advice Mental Health Charity MIND Citizens Advice Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in today’s episode that has helped you, or if you just want to get in touch, please do. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: 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.

Luke McCarthy and his guitar Bailey join Zak and Jules to talk about how his upbringing and the expectations of others shaped his life and time inside. Luke opens up about how music became his comfort in prison and how it connected him to the charity, The Irene Taylor Trust. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Useful organisations: Irene Taylor Trust Aspire NACRO Citizen's Advice Prince's Trust Clinks Directory Samaritans Samaritans helpline – 116 123 (24 hours) 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. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: 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.

Clean Slate is an organisation that helps people with their finances. Emma, their head of programmes, joins Zak and Jules, to explain how to open a bank account, how Universal Credit works and signpost to lots of useful organisations and resources that can help you manage your money. Our sister podcast Money Mondays is presented by Zak with Emma from Clean Slate and features loads of episodes with advice and support on all kinds of money issues that you might have when you come out of prison. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Organisations mentioned: Clean Slate Clean Slate/Quids In Benefits Checker HSBC No Fixed Address Partners Turn2Us Entitled To Step Change National Debtline Christians Against Poverty Citizens Advice Citizens Advice – Help To Claim Phoneline: England: 0800 144 8 444 Scotland: 0800 023 2581 Wales: 08000 241 220 www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators Contact us: If you’ve heard something today that’s encouraged you to get some support with your finances please let us know. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: 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.

After entering the criminal justice system as a young person in care, Aliyah found herself in a cycle of crime. After seeing other young women caught up in the system, she decided to set up Daddyless Daughters, a non-profit that supports girls and young women across London who may have complex needs. Here, she talks to Zak and Jules about her story, and about what she believes still needs to change. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Useful organisations: CALM CALM helpline – 0800 58 58 58 (open 5pm-midnight) Samaritans Samaritans helpline – 116 123 (24 hours) Women In Prison Advance Refuge Daddyless Daughters Aliyah's email address: [email protected] 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. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: 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.

In this episode, Jules and Zak are joined by Wendy Robinson from CALM to talk about taking care of your mental health after you leave prison. We talk about how challenging it is when you first come out, and how reality can be different to what you expected. Wendy talks about how normal it is to struggle with your mental health after prison and the different ways you can get help. 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: CALM CALM helpline – 0800 58 58 58 (open 5pm-midnight) Samaritans Samaritans helpline – 116 123 (24 hours) MIND 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 NHS Mental Health Services Together Turning Point Rethink 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 Advance/Minerva Contact us: If you’ve heard something today that’s encouraged you to get some support around your mental health please let us know. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: 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.

Chris Lynam is a poet, writer and public speaker who currently works at The Archer Project. Prior to this, Chris was embroiled in a life of addiction and criminality, originally in Ireland and then in the UK. Here, Chris shares the story of what led him to prison, his road to recovery, and how life has been since getting out. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Useful organisations: CALM CALM helpline – 0800 58 58 58 (open 5pm-midnight) Samaritans Samaritans helpline – 116 123 (24 hours) Humankind Turning Point Survivors UK SSAFA Shannon Trust The Archer Project Printed By Us 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. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: 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.

Jon from Humankind joins Zak and Jules to discuss the challenges around continuing, or starting, your Recovery journey after prison. We discuss the importance of reaching out for help and that it's never too late to do so. Jon tells Zak and Jules about the importance of carrying naloxone and also explains how volunteering can help you with staying on track with your recovery. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Organisations mentioned: Humankind Breaking free/Change Grow Live Kaleidoscope Turning Point Nelson Trust We Are With You Apps: Lower My Drinking Drink Coach NHS Drink Less Contact us: We’d love to know how your recovery journey is going since you’ve been released or if you’ve been involved in volunteering since leaving prison. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: 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.

In this episode we are joined by CEO, radio producer, presenter and DJ Anthony Olanipekun who left prison and founded music platform Soul Surge. Tony opens up about his life before, during and after prison, touching on how he is dealing with past trauma through therapy and describing the journey of starting his life again after release. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Useful organisations: NACRO Women In Prison Advance Clinks Directory Irene Taylor Trust 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. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF 🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Tony’s socials: @tonysupremeuk Soul Surge – https://soulsurge.co/ School Ground Sounds – https://www.schoolgroundsounds.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jules and Zak are joined by Lizzy Jewell from Working Chance to talk about finding a job after being in prison. They discuss employers’ changing attitudes towards people with convictions and the importance of having a backup plan while you look for your dream job. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Organisations mentioned: Working Chance Switchback Employment 4 All Only A Pavement Away New Futures Network St Giles Trust Bounceback Clean Slate Solutions NACRO Contact us: If you’ve got an experience to share about looking for work after your release please let us know, or if you have contacted an organisation that we’ve mentioned here or if you just fancy getting in touch, send us a message! 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: 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.

Tassie joins Zak and Jules to talk about her journey through the Criminal Justice System, from entering as a YO and becoming homeless at a young age, Tassie reflects on the life that she fell into and how she got out of it. Since coming out, Tassie has set up her own business helping to support care leavers in custody and gained a university degree. She now works for HMPPS as Reducing Re-offending National Lived Experience Lead. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Useful organisations: The Rees Foundation Care Leaver Covenant Catch 22 Prison Reform Trust User Voice Revolving Doors Epic Going Forward into Employment Scheme Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, please let us know. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: 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.

In this episode, Jules and Zak are joined by Heidi Trott from Shelter to discuss the housing options available if you've recently left prison. We hear from Marcel, who found it difficult to get social housing when he first came out. Heidi tells Zak and Jules where people can go to find support and does some myth-busting around what it means to have ‘priority need’ status or a local connection. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Useful organisations: Shelter Crisis St Mungo’s Housing For Women NACRO Framework Langley House Trust Recycling Lives St Giles Trust Change Grow Live Contact us: If you’ve heard something today that’s made you think differently about disclosing your conviction, let us know. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: 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.

In this episode Zak and Jules are joined by Tracy, who has two sons serving life sentences and Hilda, who is Zak’s mum. In a fascinating and emotional episode, Tracy and Hilda talk about how it felt when their sons received their sentences, and how to stay strong when you have a loved one inside. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Useful organisations: Partners of Prisoners JENGbA PACT Prisoners Family Helpline – 0808 808 2003 Sussex Prisoners Families Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to reach out to a family member, please let us know. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: 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.

In this episode, Jules and Zak are joined by Debbie from Unlock to discuss the issues around disclosing your conviction when applying for jobs. Debbie explains how important it is to understand when and how to disclose your conviction. She also talks about the difference between spent and unspent convictions, and the benefits of putting together a disclosure statement. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Useful organisations: Unlock Unlock’s Disclosure Calculator To get the details of your criminal record – ACRO A Fairer Chance NACRO NACRO Helpline Number – 0300 123 1999 Switchback Working Chance Contact us: If you’ve heard something today that’s made you think differently about disclosing your conviction, let us know. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: 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.

Zak and Jules share their stories and explain how they ended up where they are today as the hosts of the Life After Prison podcast. They reflect on receiving their sentences, other people’s perceptions of them and how prison affected their family relationships. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Useful organisations: NACRO Unlock Clinks Directory Contact us: If there’s something you would like to hear us talk about on Life After Prison please drop us a message to let us know. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: 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.

Our first episode of The Sit Down features Bobby Kasanga who served nearly 8 years in prison. He talks to us about how he got recruited as a Peckham boy and how this led him to his time inside. Since coming out, Bobby has created Hackney Wick’s first ever semi-professional football club and here he tells us how he uses this, and his media company Big Ego, to support young people. This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Useful organisations: St Mungo’s NACRO Unlock Clinks Directory Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, please let us know. 💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter 📧 Email us: [email protected] ✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF 🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Bobby Kasanga’s socials: @bobbykasanga20 @bigegomedia @hackneywickfc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life After Prison is a brand new podcast for anyone who has spent time in prison, or who has been affected by the criminal justice system. Presented by Zak and Jules it features inspiring stories from people who've been inside, plus guidance and support for you if you've recently been released. Follow us at @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X and @lifeafterprisonpod on TikTok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.