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.

In this episode, Jules chats with Julia. Released from prison 10 years ago, Julia started working in the criminal justice system, working her way up into management positions, but she found that what was once part of her healing journey, was becoming part of her trauma. Julia decided to make a change, and as somebody known as having a permanent tan, she’s living her best life running her own tanning and beauty salon.

Useful organisations:

Unlock- Building a fairer future for people with criminal records https://unlock.org.uk/

Working Chance- Unlocking Women’s Potential https://workingchance.org/

User Voice- We put people’s lived experience insights at the heart of the justice system, to ensure it works better for everyone. https://www.uservoice.org/

PACT- Prison Advice and Care Trust- We build stronger families and safer communities https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/

Cart Cattermole- Prison- A Survival Guide https://www.pagesofhackney.co.uk/webshop/product/prison-a-survival-guide-carl-cattermole/?srsltid=AfmBOoqbYq8u3F9ddwyvx8bTole6Ozd7JQKQjDFg7xuoi4lngQh1aCN9

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 on the Life After Prison couch. Zak & Jules are joined by Kevin Devonport. An international award-winning self-taught artist, whose journey started from a council estate in Leeds. Kevin served 24 years inside, where he overcame addiction and taught himself to paint, which has lead to his work being featured across the UK and Europe in multiple prominent exhibitions.

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

Useful Organisations

Care After Combat - Care after Combat is dedicated to providing vital support for former

and serving British Armed Forces personnel within the justice system and their families.

https://careaftercombat.org/

Changing Lives - Changing Lives has been helping people facing some of the most challenging circumstances for 50 years. Helping people who experience homelessness through their hostels and day centres. They exist to provide anyone facing a challenging time, with the right support so that they can change their life for the better.

https://www.changing-lives.org.uk/

Inspire North -

https://www.inspirenorth.co.uk/

Addictions North East - Providing supported housing to those who feel unable to live alone due to addiction or behavioural issues such as mental health conditions, Learning difficulties or homelessness.

https://www.addictionsnortheast.com/

Koestler Arts - The Koestler Awards is an annual programme encouraging people from the UK's criminal justice system to change their lives through the arts.

https://koestlerarts.org.uk/

Kevin’s Website

https://kevindevonportfineart.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.

💬 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.

This week Jules speaks to Pri, whose negative relationship with alcohol lead to multiple convictions and stints in prison. Unwavering support from the charity ID Essence, a probation officer willing to go the extra mile to help support her with binge drinking, and being fitted with an alcohol tag, helped Pri get to the place where she is today. She’s now working for ID Essence, supporting women coming out of prison, and prefers a takeaway and a Netflix binge to getting drunk on a Friday night.

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

Useful organisations:

ID Essence- ID Essence work with young adults aged 18-25 in women's prisons and after https://www.idessence.org/

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Help and support for anyone with alcohol problems. https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/

Alcohol Change UK- Information and support options for people worried about how much alcohol they are drinking. alcoholchange.org.uk

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

Mind- making sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone 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.

💬 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 on the Life After Prison Podcast Zak and Jules respond to some social media comments again, this time with the aim to dispel some myths surrounding prison. These comments are from a video of previous guest Nabil Abdul Rashid recalling his first moments being in prison.

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

Useful Organisations

Prison Reform Trust (UK-Wide) – Campaigns for fairer, more effective penal systems and supports people in prison.

https://www.prisonreformtrust.org.uk

Independent Monitoring Boards - Volunteer groups that monitor prisons and detention centers to ensure fair, humane treatment and report on daily life.

https://imb.org.uk/

The Howard League for Penal Reform – Working for less crime, safer communities, and fewer people in prison. They aim to build more effective solutions to crime that provides justice to all and helps reduce reoffending.

https://howardleague.org

Shelter – Offers housing advice and support to those facing homelessness, helping with housing rights and advocacy.

https://shelter.org.uk

Mind (UK-wide) – Provides support and advice for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/publication_typeyear/annual-reports/

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.

In this episode Jules speaks to 20-year-old Kerry, who’s only been out of prison a month at the time of recording. They chat about how losing a friend in the Grenfell Tower fire at the age of 13 had a massive impact on Kerry, who later became expelled from school, and at the age of 17 received a 5 year prison sentence. For Kerry, being recalled back to prison after being released half way through her sentence was a big wake up call, and changed her outlook on moving forwards.

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

Useful links and organisations:

ID Essence- ID Essence work with young adults aged 18-25 in women's prisons and after https://www.idessence.org/

Action for Children- We help those in trouble to turn their lives around https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/our-work-and-impact/children-and-families/young-people/

Nacro- We see your future, whatever your past https://www.nacro.org.uk/

St Giles Trust- Turning a past into a future https://www.stgilestrust.org.uk/

Unlock- Building a fairer future for people with criminal records https://unlock.org.uk/

Working Chance- Unlocking Women’s Potential https://workingchance.org/

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.