This week on Life After Prison, Zak & Jules discuss the final report on the Sentencing Review that was released last month. They delve into topics surrounding early release, £700 million investment into probation services and community-based sentencing.

This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube.

Useful organisations:

Kate Fraser episode discussing Women's prisons - https://youtu.be/0T7b7V3ySFo

Women in Prison (London, Manchester & Woking) – Support and advocacy for women affected by the criminal justice system. Strong stance on short sentences and family impact. https://womeninprison.org.uk

Transform Justice (National) – Campaigning for fairer, more effective justice—particularly around sentencing, early intervention, and alternatives to prison.

https://transformjustice.org.uk

Revolving Doors (National) – Works with people who cycle in and out of prison—strong policy work on sentencing and short custodial sentences.

https://revolving-doors.org.uk

Centre for Justice Innovation (London) – Improving justice policy and practice—supporters of community alternatives, problem-solving courts, and diversion.

https://justiceinnovation.org

Prison Reform Trust (National) – Independent research and advocacy on reducing imprisonment, especially for women and vulnerable people.

https://prisonreformtrust.org.uk

Howard League for Penal Reform (National) – Ending the overuse of prison, especially for children and people on short sentences. Strong legal and campaigning work.

https://howardleague.org

User Voice (National) – Giving people in prison and on probation a voice in reform. Peer-led.

https://uservoice.org

Switchback (London and the South East) – Intensive rehabilitation and real-world transition for young men leaving prison.

https://switchback.org.uk

Community Led Initiatives (CLI) (Manchester, Bedfordshire, Kent) – Peer mentoring and community-led support for people leaving prison or at risk of entering it.

https://communityled.org.uk

Catch22 (National) – Resettlement, education, and alternatives to custody—works with prisons and probation services.

https://catch-22.org.uk

https://www.disclosuretoolkit.org/calculator

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: podcasts@prison.radio

✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF

🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/

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This week Jules talks to Kate, who works for NHS England as the Regional Head of Health and Justice in the East of England. For 11 years, Kate struggled with a heroin addiction. Kate now holds keys to several prisons, and was even the prison substance misuse commissioner in the prison where she once spent time inside. Kate talks to Jules about the incredible work she does helping people, her career progression, and how she managed to turn her life around.

The full version of this episode can be found wherever you get your podcasts: (link)

Useful organisations:

NHS Reconnect - Heathcare After Custody https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/reconnect-care/

Change Grow Live- Find information and local support services for alcohol and drug use. changegrowlive.org

Narcotics Anonymous- Support for anyone who wants to stop using drugs.u kna.org

Turning Point- We believe that everyone has the potential to grow, learn, and make choices.

turning-point.co.uk

FRANK- Helpline for anyone concerned about drug or solvent misuse. Advice and information for drug misusers, their families, friends, carers and professionals. https://www.talktofrank.com/

Rehab 4 Addiction - A helpline for those suffering with drug and alcohol addiction. https://www.rehab4addiction.co.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.

💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok

📧 Email us: podcasts@prison.radio

✉️ 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.

This week in the Life After Prison studio Zak & Jules are joined by Tuan, co-founder of Gymbusy. Before launching his fitness brand, Tuan was on the roads and ended up serving two prison sentences. But after his release, he found a new path—building discipline, strength, and purpose through fitness. Teaming up with his cousin, he co-founded Gymbusy, a brand that not only transformed his life but is now inspiring others to do the same.

This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube.

Useful organisations:

Gymbusy (London) – https://gymbusy.co.uk/

Empire Fighting Chance (Bristol) – Uses boxing and mentoring to support young people at risk of offending or reoffending.

http://www.empirefightingchance.org/

3Pillars Project:

This sports-based mentoring charity helps ex-offenders build a life away from crime and make a positive contribution to society. They offer personal training qualifications to ex-offenders on release through 3Pillars Fitness, with potential employment opportunities with 3Pillars Wellbeing.

Unlocked Graduates (London & Manchester) – A prison rehabilitation initiative training graduates to work in the criminal justice system and support positive change.

http://www.unlockedgrads.org.uk/

In2Change (South Yorkshire) - Overview: In2Change collaborates with prisoners to design programs targeting disadvantaged families, ex-offenders, and young people. Their initiatives focus on education, crime awareness, and rehabilitation, aiming to make a positive societal impact.

https://www.in2change.org/

Switch Up (Nottingham) - Switch Up offers individual support to young people affected by crime and violence. Through sport, mentoring, and personal development, they aim to improve mental and physical well-being, steering young offenders away from crime and gang-related activities.

https://www.marcellusbaz.co.uk/switch-up/

The Forward Trust (Nationwide) – Supports people with addiction and mental health challenges post-prison, including fitness and wellbeing programs.

http://www.forwardtrust.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: podcasts@prison.radio

✉️ 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.