The Secret Life of Prisons

In 2021, the legendary TV screenwriter Jimmy McGovern released a three-part drama called Time  on BBC1. People living and working in prisons have almost universally agreed that it's the most astonishingly realistic depiction of prison life they've ever seen.  National Prison Radio listeners were aware it was in the planning two years ago, when they broadcast a talk Jimmy gave at HMP Erlestoke desc...

George the Poet is a spoken word performer and recording artist. His acclaimed podcast series,  Have You Heard George's Podcast? , became the first non-US podcast to win the Peabody Award. He is a long-time advocate and campaigner for a fairer justice system. This episode was recorded at the 2021 Longford Lecture, an annual event run by the Longford Trust which supports people in the justice syste...

How to survive a life sentence We're back in the studio with two people who have been to prison and are now outside living with a 'life licence', to talk about 'hooks for change' and the what happens as the reality of being a 'lifer' dawns on you. They join Phil and Paula in the studio, along with criminologists Serena Wright and Ben Crewe. Serena is a researcher and Lecturer in Criminology in the...

What is it like to receive a life sentence? We're joined by two people who have had this experience - both have been to prison and are now outside living with a 'life licence'. They join Phil and Paula in the studio, along with criminologists Serena Wright and Susie Hulley. Serena is a researcher and Lecturer in Criminology in the Department of Law and Criminology at Royal Holloway, University of...

A brand new series of The Secret Life of Prisons starts Monday. Listen to this sneak preview of some of the voices we'll be hearing through this series, bringing you the real-life drama of life behind bars. Subscribe or Follow this feed. www.prison.radio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our final episode of the year, guests Duewaine and Brenda are back with Phil and Paula to talk about the significance of New Year in prison. They're joined by Marc Conway who, having spent roughly fifteen New Year's Eves inside, discusses how attitudes towards the celebration vary. Presenters: Phil Maguire and Paula Harriott Guests: Duewaine, Brenda Birungi aka Lady Unchained and Marc Conway Pr...

How does it feel to spend Christmas Day in prison? Phil and Paula talk about the difficulties of being locked up over Christmas and the little things that help with getting through the day. They're joined by former National Prison Radio presenter Duewaine and poet Brenda Birungi, aka Lady Unchained, who share their memories of Christmas in prison. Presenters: Phil Maguire and Paula Harriott Guests...

How should we look after young people inside? Phil and Paula hear from Courtney, who went to prison when she was a teenager. She reveals the emotional trauma of being locked up and reflects on the role prison played in rebuilding her life. Earlier this year Courtney featured in the first episode of our sister podcast, Future Prison, where she shared her experiences with Dr Hegla Swindenbank, Execu...

In this episode, Paula and Phil talk about the importance of the telephone in prison, and what better way to do that than to call up a few friends of the podcast? Peter Yarwood, Chief Executive of Red Rose Recovery , author Rich Jones and Kemi Ryan, co-founder of Reformed Development , explain what the phone meant to them while they were in prison. And Dr Kimmett Edgar, Head of Research at the Pri...

Can you make lasting friendships in prison? In episode two of our new series, Phil and Paula talk about the ups and the downs of making friends inside. They're joined by guests Rob and Mike aka Boats, who made friends during their time in HMP Rochester and now co-host the podcast, Banged Up. Rob and Boats share stories of how they met and let us in on the secret to staying mates on the outside. Yo...

We're back with a new series of the Secret Life of Prisons podcast. In this first episode, presenters Phil Maguire and Paula Harriott reunite to talk about the power of writing - both in prison and after release. They hear from a special panel, hosted by poet Mr Gee, where guests Jerelle, Dee and Jeanno share their experiences of prison through their writing. This episode was originally made for t...

The Prison Radio Association is the charity that produces this podcast. Our day job is running National Prison Radio, which is the world's first national radio station for people in prison. It broadcasts 24/7 into the cells of 80,000 people in prison across England and Wales. Last night, Thursday 26 November, we attended not one, but TWO award ceremonies. Both online. One was the Criminal Justice...

In April 1990, Strangeways prison in Manchester was subject to disorder and protests that lasted weeks. It was the longest prison disturbance in British history. This concluding episode looks at what's happened in the 30 years since the Strangeways riots, asking fundamental questions about what prison is for.  Featuring: Strangeways governor Brendan O'Friel; Lord Woolf; Professor Joe Sim; Former p...

In April 1990, Strangeways prison in Manchester was subject to disorder and protests that lasted weeks. It was the longest prison disturbance in British history. This is a deep-dive into the events leading up to that day, the disturbance itself, and the aftermath.  It includes interviews with then-governor Brendan O'Friel, former prison officer Steve Whitfield, criminologist Professor Joe Sim, for...

The Secret Life of Prisons is returning, featuring stories from behind bars.  Ahead of our new series, we'll be releasing a two-part deep-dive documentary, 25 Days In April, telling the story of the longest prison disturbance in British history - the Strangeways riots of 1990. Part one, released on Thursday 10 September, will go through the events of April 1990, with vivid archive recordings from...

A new virus grips the world. Echoes tells the true stories of four people whose lives were changed forever. Echoes is a unique drama, originally broadcast on National Prison Radio, the world's first national radio station for prisoners. The script is created entirely from the words of the real people portrayed. Actors are listening to the recordings through headphones and repeating what they say....

Echoes - brand new drama coming to the Secret Life of Prisons this Friday at 5pm. Watch the filmed version here: youtu.be/1XbfV_96QX0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Regular presenters Phil Maguire and Paula Harriott discuss how the lockdown is impacting people in prison, and what we on the outside can learn about prison from life under lockdown. They're joined by the journalist Raphael Rowe, who served more than a decade in prison before his conviction was overturned, and Michaela Booth who received a four year sentence in 2011. Also joining the show is regul...

This Friday on Secret Life of Prisons - we'll be releasing a Lockdown Special. What can we learn from prisons about lockdown? And what can we learn from lockdown about prisons? Presenter Phil Maguire will be joined as usual by Paula Harriott, poet Mr Gee, and guests who know what it's like to be locked up - both in prison and out. Subscribe to Secret Life of Prisons, and check your feed this Frida...

This special episode of The Secret of Prisons was recorded live at the Longford Lecture at Church House, in London, on Thursday 21st November. The 2019 Longford Lecture was given  by the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Ian, Lord Blair of Boughton, to a packed audience. Lord Blair spoke to presenters Phil Maguire and Paula Harriot before speaking on stage, alongside the broadcaster Jon Snow...

In Episode 4, Paula and Phil hear stories about the road back out of prison, in The Release. Ruth Devent and Peter Yarwood both share their stories of being released and the bumpy path that followed. James Timpson, CEO of Timpson, reveals the many reasons his company chooses to employ people released from prison. Carl Cattermole writes and delivers a powerful piece on being released and the poet M...

In episode 3 of The Secret Life of Prisons, Paula and Phil ask what's it like to visit a family member in prison? Author of the award winning blog 'Prison.bag', Josie Bevan and her daughter Tala, talk about being regular prison visitors. Carl Cattermole delivers a powerful piece on prison visits, poet Mr Gee performs an original poem written during this recording and Dr Kimmett Edgar reflects on t...

In episode 2 of The Secret Life of Prisons, Phil and Paula hear what it's like to live in The Cell. Wrongly-imprisoned journalist Raphael Rowe and author and blogger David Breakspear share their stories of living in a cell.  Carl Cattermole is an award-winning dramatist and author, he writes and delivers a powerful piece about living in prison. Dr Kimmett Edgar reflects on the true meaning behind...

In Episode 1 of The Secret Life of Prisons, hosts, Phil Maguire and Paula Harriot hear stories about The Arrival into prison. They hear from poet and performer, Brenda Birungi (aka Lady Unchained), music entrepreneur Curtis Blanc and former MP and conservative cabinet minister Jonathan Aitken, about their respective arrivals into prison.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...