Life After Prison

In this episode Jules is joined by audio producer, Faye. While in prison, Faye found herself presenting regular shows on National Prison Radio. Now, together with Jules, she continues this work on the outside with the Prison Radio Association. Faye talks about her passion for fitness, being a parent in prison and her work on the Secret Life of Prisons podcast.    Our listeners are the most importa...

In this episode, Zak and Jules explore what it’s like adjusting to life after prison, reflecting on their personal journeys, and the superstitions many people have when leaving. They hear from a listener who opens up about his entrepreneurial journey post-release and discuss the often-overlooked experiences of family and friends during this transition.  This podcast is also available as a video –...

In this episode Jules chats to Beatrice, who has very recently been released from prison. As an aspiring prison reformer, Beatrice talks about using her experience for good. Together, Beatrice and Jules discuss the mix of emotions that come with release, the current state of the prison system and Beatrice’s hopes for the future. Useful links and organisations:  Beatrice’s Spectator Article https:/...

In this episode, Joel Dunn, founder of The Paradigm Project, shares his journey from prison to founding a charity focused on preventing youth involvement in the criminal justice system. He talks about his background, how it all started with a mentoring course in prison, and the support network that helped him rebuild his life. Joel also discusses the importance of understanding his own story, why...

  In this episode, Jules sits down with social impact entrepreneur, Barbara Burton. While awaiting trail, Barbara wrote a sixteen-page business plan, which became her first social enterprise during her twelve month prison sentence. Barbara talks about becoming an entrepreneur, the art of pivoting and being named as one of the BBC’s 100 Women of the World.    Our listeners are the most important pa...

In this episode of Life After Prison, Zak and Jules discuss the SDS40 scheme which facilitates early release from prison. They reflect on their own experiences and on the impact of families and friends of those being released. They discuss whether this scheme is a long-term solution and if not, what needs to change.  Have your say: There is a parliamentary inquiry into prison culture running until...

In this episode Jules speaks to Catherine, a qualified personal trainer at Fitness Rush. Catherine and Jules share a love of fitness – but it’s something Catherine only recently discovered on her sobriety journey. After living through cycles of addiction, homelessness and criminality, Catherine talks about finding stability, being nominated for a National Fitness Award, and using her past as her p...

In this episode of Life After Prison, we’re joined by Kate Fraser, Head of Practice at Women In Prison, an organisation dedicated to supporting women impacted by the criminal justice system. Kate shares her journey through the prison system and into this work, exploring the unique challenges women face within the system. Kate also shares her vision of what real, systemic change could look like for...

In this episode, Jules is in conversation with Kirsty. Kirsty had a tough childhood, and was exposed to drugs and violence from an early age, she was also let down by the people who were supposed to care for her.  She went on to battle with her own addictions, and while spending time in prison found a path to recovery. Kirsty now spends her time helping other people coming out of prison to do the...

In this episode, Zak and Jules chat through the challenges that come with leaving your old life behind after you’ve been in prison.    Zak and Jules discuss the strategies they have employed both while inside and on the outside to make sure they keep away from their old lives. They also hear from listeners who share some thoughtful advice on this topic and they share some inspiring words that they...

In this episode Jules chats to Michelle, a real force to be reckoned with. Michelle is a huge advocate for people with lived experience of prison working within the criminal justice system, as she knows first hand how powerful that is, and how the right support can go a long way. Michelle experienced a lot of trauma as a child and has dealt with a lot of heartache over the years, which resulted in...

Kieron Bryan is an author, entrepreneur and former prisoner.   In this episode, Kieron tells Zak and Jules how while serving a long prison sentence he discovered his passion for books, and read over 250 behind the door.  He also shares how he used the skills he learned while in jail to set up multiple businesses, write a chess book for kids called ‘The Pawn Who Wants To Be Queen’, and how he has k...

In this episode Jules chats to Milan. Milan works as a careers advisor, alongside studying for a degree in criminology. She’s a self confessed ‘geek’, which is something she found out about herself while serving 8 years of a 16 year sentence in prison. Milan talks to Jules about the different obstacles she dealt with in prison, including the death of a loved one, and what it was like being release...

In this episode Zak and Jules discuss prison visits. They share their memories of visits they had while they were serving sentences, and talk about what they learned from people still inside about the things they like best about visits. They also talk about the prison walk of shame; what happens when someone ghosts you on a visit.  In part 2, Zak and Jules share more of their personal memories of...

In this episode Jules talks to somebody who is working hard to make prisons more supportive places for people with autism. Kirsty has an autism diagnosis herself, and after many years of struggling to find the right support, and having spent time in prison herself, knows what needs to change. She is now using her voice to make changes in the criminal justice system for people who are neurodiverse....

In this episode, Zak and Jules sit down with former Prison Officer, Alex South to discuss her time working in some of the UKs most notorious prisons including HMPs Whitemoor, Wormwood Scrubs and Belmarsh.   Alex tells Zak and Jules about the main reasons she wanted to become a prison officer, and talks about the characters she met and the conditions she saw in the prisons she worked in.   Alex als...

In this episode Jules talks to successful business woman, Tracy Mackness, who’s had a huge transformation from a self-proclaimed ‘Essex Bad Girl’ to a pig farmer.    Tracy runs the Giggly Pig Company, and has around 600 pigs, (as well as 18 dogs and 2 chickens!). Tracy first came into contact with pigs when serving a 10 year prison sentence. One of the over 50 courses Tracy took inside was pig hus...

In this episode, Zak and Jules talk about their experience of having their life on hold when they were in prison.   They discuss how they felt they were playing catch up in some areas of life while they were inside, and hear from listeners who share their own reflections.   Zak and Jules spend some time talking about some of the things they learnt from that time away including how to manage their...

In this episode Jules chats to Lilly about her incredible journey. After being abandoned as a child, spending two decades in abusive relationships, losing her children to the care system and spending nearly 4 years in prison, Lilly couldn’t be any more content with how her life is now. She works tirelessly to help other women going through the criminal justice system live the kind of life she is n...

In this episode, Zak and Jules meet the film maker and host of the A Bit of A Stretch Podcast, Chris Atkins who was sentenced to 5 years for Tax Evasion. Chris talks to Zak and Jules about being on bail for 4 and a half years before he was sentenced and the struggles he faced in prison being separated from his young son. Chris also opens up to Zak and Jules about his experience of white privilege...

In this episode Jules meets Sunnie, a Prisons and Community Support Worker for ID Essence. Sunnie and Jules find many similarities between their own stories. They talk about the lead up to Sunnie being sent to prison, what she did to fill her time inside, and how it was being released from prison as a young woman, after going in as a teenager.    Sunnie talks about her passions, what motivates her...

In this episode, Zak and Jules hear from listeners about the judgement they have faced because they have a family member in prison.   They also talk about how long they would wait before telling a potential partner they have been to jail, and the shame and judgement attached to having a sentence. Later, Zak and Jules spend some time discussing ways to deal with the judgement that comes from co-wor...

  The Spark is a brand new strand of Life After Prison, where Jules speaks to women who have been through the CJS about The Spark they found which set them on a path of transformation and change. In this episode Jules meets the actor, Jennifer Joseph. Jen talks about some of the work she’s proudest of, such as the Donmar Shakespeare Trilogy, and Kae Tempest’s Paradise. They also chat about some of...

Zak and Jules catch up with comedian, Nabil Abdulrashid as he drops in to the studio in the midst of his Purple Pill tour. Nabil chats to Zak and Jules about arriving from Nigera and landing in one of London’s most notorious estates, how he ended up in jail and what he did to pass the time while he was there.    He also talks about his comedy career, how his early love for comedy got reignited in...

When you first get out of jail, managing your finances can be tricky, even opening a bank account can be difficult. Clean Slate is an organisation that helps people with their finances. In this episode, Emma, their head of programmes, joins Zak and Jules, to explain how to set up a bank account, how Universal Credit works and signposts to lots of useful organisations and resources that can help yo...