The Secret Life of Prisons podcast

Happy Christmas from The Secret Life of Prisons! On Wednesday 22 November 2023, Rory Stewart delivered the annual Longford Lecture at Church House in Westminster. And like every year, National Prison Radio was there to broadcast the lecture into prison cells across England and Wales. For this special edition of The Secret Life of Prisons, Phil and Paula introduce that programme, as broadcast to listeners behind bars. The show was hosted by Paula alongside Zak, who is a presenter of our sister podcast Life After Prison. Rory's lecture was entitled, Rhetoric vs Reality: My Journey as Prisons Minister. It addressed why politics is ill-equipped to deal with the crisis in prisons, and what we might be able to do to change this. For more information about the Longford Trust, visit https://www.longfordtrust.org.  

Phil and Paula speak to the two presenters of BBC Radio 4's series Behind the Crime. Dr. Sally Tilt and Dr. Kerensa Hocken have decades of experience working in prisons as forensic psychologists. HM Prison and Probation Service is the biggest employer of forensic psychologists in the UK, and this episode looks at the role they play in people's pathway through the justice system. We also hear clips from several episodes of Behind the Crime, as Sally and Kerensa give us the inside track on what these stories can tell us about how we administer criminal justice. You can listen to all episodes of Behind the Crime on BBC Sounds: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0019r5c/episodes/player 

In 2021, the legendary TV screenwriter Jimmy McGovern released a three-part drama set in a men's prison, called Time on BBC1. In 2023, he followed it up with a brand new series set in a women's prison. Like the first series, it was widely said to be the most realistic depiction of the complexity and nuance of prison life ever seen on British television.  Secret Life of Prisons co-host, Paula Harriott, advised the writers during the development of the new series, and in this episode you can hear which bits of the plot came directly from her experiences of prison. To kick off this brand new run of Secret Life of Prisons, Phil and Paula are joined by Jimmy along co-writer Helen Black to talk about the series. Series 2 of Time is available to watch on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p09fs2qh/time

1 in 7 adults in prison were experiencing homelessness before entering custody, and fewer than half of people released from prison last year had settled accommodation on release. But what do we know about women who experience homelessness?     Phil and Paula have teamed up with the Orwell Foundation and the Centre for Homelessness Impact to bring you another three-part series looking at the intertwined issues of homelessness, social deprivation, crime and justice.     Down, Not Out is the companion podcast to The Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness 2024.     Host Paddy O'Connell, who is a friend of The Prison Radio Association and is also a judge of the new prize, talks to experts and people who've experienced homelessness, to get a better idea of the scale of the problem and how it might be solved.     Episode 3 gets into some of the gritty issues and contains compelling stories, examining the issues faced by women experiencing homelessness and why data on this is so lacking. What’s being done to fill this gap?     Secret Life of Prisons   Presenters: Paula Harriott and Phil Maguire Producer: Andrew Wilkie     Orwell Foundation Host: Paddy O'Connell Editor and Producer: Alex Grundon   Producer: Michelle Featherstone Executive Producer: Liz Wallace     Contributors   Professor Jean Seaton, Director of The Orwell Foundation   Freya Marshall Payne, an academic focussing on women and homelessness, who has personal experience of it.   Ligia Teixeira, Founding Chief Executive of the Centre For Homelessness Impact, our partners in this podcast.   With special and heartfelt thanks to Richard Blair, George Orwell’s son, for narrating an extract of his dad’s book for the podcast.     The Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness is open for entries until 31 March 2024. Entry details are available here: https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-prizes/about/about-the-prizes/reporting-homelessness/     You can also enter by post. The address is The Orwell Foundation, IAS, University College London, WC1E 6BT. Please include a contact number or email address for someone who can reach you, if you can.

1 in 7 adults in prison were experiencing homelessness before entering custody, and fewer than half of people released from prison last year had settled accommodation on release. But what if you’re living in another country from where you were born and things start going wrong?   Phil and Paula have teamed up with the Orwell Foundation and the Centre for Homelessness Impact to bring you another three-part series looking at the intertwined issues of homelessness, social deprivation, crime and justice.   Down, Not Out is the companion podcast to The Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness 2024.   Host Paddy O'Connell, who is a friend of The Prison Radio Association and is also a judge of the new prize, talks to experts and people who've experienced homelessness, to get a better idea of the scale of the problem and how it might be solved.   Episode 2 gets into some of the gritty issues around homelessness, and contains compelling stories, looking at what it’s like to be away from your home country AND without a home to live in; that’s Foreign Nationals and Homelessness.    Secret Life of Prisons Presenters: Paula Harriott and Phil Maguire Producer: Andrew Wilkie   Orwell Foundation Host: Paddy O'Connell Editor and Producer: Alex Grundon Producer: Michelle Featherstone Executive Producer: Liz Wallace   Contributors Stephen Armstrong, journalist, writer, trustee of The Orwell Foundation and author of The Road to Wigan Pier Revisited. Patrick, a French national who came to the UK but lost his identity papers and experienced homelessness after 30 years of having a home here. Bridget Young, Director of 'NACCOM - THE NO ACCOMMODATION NETWORK - an organisation that helps people who come to the UK from abroad who find themselves homeless. With special and heartfelt thanks to Richard Blair, George Orwell’s son, for narrating an extract of his dad’s book for the podcast.   The Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness is open for entries until 31 March 2024. Entry details are available here: https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-prizes/about/about-the-prizes/reporting-homelessness/   You can also enter by post. The address is The Orwell Foundation, IAS, University College London, WC1E 6BT. Please include a contact number or email address for someone who can reach you, if you can.

1 in 7 adults in prison were experiencing homelessness before entering custody, and fewer than half of people released from prison last year had settled accommodation on release. Many had a less than perfect start in life, finding themselves in care. There seems to be a clear link between growing up in care and experiencing homelessness.   Phil and Paula have teamed up with the Orwell Foundation and the Centre for Homelessness Impact to bring you another three-part series looking at the intertwined issues of homelessness, social deprivation, crime and justice.   Down, Not Out is the companion podcast to The Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness 2024.   Host Paddy O'Connell, a friend of The Prison Radio Association and also a judge of the new prize, talks to experts and people who've experienced homelessness, to get a better idea of the scale of the problem and how it might be solved.   This episode gets into some of the gritty issues around homelessness, and contains compelling stories, including one from a man who’s just been released from prison.   Secret Life of Prisons Presenters: Paula Harriott and Phil Maguire Producer: Andrew Wilkie   Orwell Foundation Host: Paddy O'Connell Editor and Producer: Alex Grundon Producer: Michelle Featherstone Executive Producer: Liz Wallace   Contributors: DJ Taylor - George Orwell’s official biographer;  Kadeem - recently released from prison; Professor Michael Sanders - Centre for Homelessness Impact and lecturer at King’s College London; Danny Lavelle - joint winner of the Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness 2023.   The Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness 2024 is open for entries until 31 March 2024. Entry details are available here: https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-prizes/about/about-the-prizes/reporting-homelessness/   You can also enter by post. The address is The Orwell Foundation, IAS, University College London, WC1E 6BT. Please include a contact number or email address for someone who can reach you, if you can.

1 in 7 adults in prison were homeless before entering custody, and fewer than half of people released from prison last year had settled accommodation on release. Phil and Paula have teamed up with the Orwell Foundation and the Centre for Homelessness Impact to bring you this brand news series looking at the intertwined issues of homelessness, social deprivation, crime and justice. Down, Not Out is the companion podcast to The Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness 2023. Host Sangita Myska, who is also a judge of the new prize, talks to experts and people who've experienced homelessness, to get a better idea of the scale of the problem and how it might be solved. This episode focuses on some of the possible solutions to homelessness. It contains vivid experiences of homelessness that are upsetting and graphic. Secret Life of Prisons Presenters: Paula Harriott and Phil Maguire Producer: Andrew Wilkie Orwell Foundation Host: Sangita MyskaReader: Malorie Blackman OBEProducer: Alex GrundonExecutive Producer: Liz Wallace Contributors: Chris Lynam; Christina Lamb (Journalist and author of The Prince Rupert Hotel for the Homeless) and Stephen Armstrong (Journalist and author of The Road to Wigan Pier Revisited and Trustee, The Orwell Foundation) The Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness 2023 is open for entries until 17 April 2023.

1 in 7 adults in prison were homeless before entering custody, and fewer than half of people released from prison last year had settled accommodation on release. Phil and Paula have teamed up with the Orwell Foundation and the Centre for Homelessness Impact to bring you this brand news series looking at the intertwined issues of homelessness, social deprivation, crime and justice. Down, Not Out is the companion podcast to The Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness 2023. Host Sangita Myska, who is also a judge of the new prize, talks to experts and people who've experienced homelessness, to get a better idea of the scale of the problem and how it might be solved. This episode focuses on the many forms of modern homelessness and their impact. Secret Life of Prisons Presenters: Paula Harriott and Phil Maguire Producer: Andrew Wilkie Orwell Foundation Host: Sangita MyskaReader: Malorie Blackman OBEProducer: Alex GrundonExecutive Producer: Liz Wallace Contributors: Nic Woods, Leanna Fairfax (Centre for Homelessness Impact) and Stephen Armstrong (Journalist and author of The Road to Wigan Pier Revisited and Trustee, The Orwell Foundationndation) The Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness 2023 is open for entries until 17 April 2023.    

1 in 7 adults in prison were homeless before entering custody, and fewer than half of people released from prison last year had settled accommodation on release. Phil and Paula have teamed up with the Orwell Foundation and the Centre for Homelessness Impact to bring you this brand news series looking at the intertwined issues of homelessness, social deprivation, crime and justice. Down, Not Out is the companion podcast to The Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness 2023. Host Sangita Myska, who is also a judge of the new prize, talks to experts and people who've experienced homelessness, to get a better idea of the scale of the problem and how it might be solved. This episode gets into some of the gritty issues around homelessness, including the scarcity and precarity of food… and sex. Secret Life of Prisons Presenters: Paula Harriott and Phil Maguire Producer: Andrew Wilkie Orwell Foundation Host: Sangita MyskaReader: Malorie Blackman OBEProducer: Alex GrundonExecutive Producer: Liz Wallace Contributors: Charlston Aslet and Professor Jean Seaton, Director, The Orwell Foundation The Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness 2023 is open for entries until 17 April 2023. Entry details are available here. You can also enter by post. The address is The Orwell Foundation, IAS, University College London, WC1E 6BT. Please include a contact number or email address for someone who can reach you, if you can.

On 5 October 2015, Nigel Poor, a photographer who worked in San Quentin State Prison in California, and Earlonne Woods, who was serving a long sentence in the same prison, came up with an idea that would ultimately secure Earlonne's freedom. They're the presenter/producers of Ear Hustle, the multi award-winning, global podcast hit from Radiotopia that tells the daily stories of prison life. In this final episode of the series, they join Phil Maguire and Paula Harriott to share reflections on prison, the media and freedom. Check out Ear Hustle at www.earhustlesq.com

The creative arts in prison aren't just a 'nice-to-have'. For some they can be a passport to freedom and even a lifesaver. Saul Hewish has visited over 100 prisons in his long career as a the founder and Artistic Director of Rideout, a charity that runs creative arts for rehabilitation. He joins Phil Maguire and Paula Harriott in a series of conversations with people who, in one way or another, found their creative calling in prison. Lee Cutter's fantastic art can be found here: http://www.leecutter.com Brenda Birungi's poetry can be found at: https://www.unchainedpoetry.com  Rideout's homepage is: https://rideout.org.uk/ Walking the Wing, the audio drama produced in lockdown, can be heard here: https://soundcloud.com/saul-hewish-726672794 This episode of The Secret Life of Prisons was funded by the University of Reading as part of the 'Sounding Out: Facilitating Incarcerated People's Involvement in Penal Policy Reform' research project led by Dr Sarah Bartley in collaboration with Rideout Creative Arts for Rehabilitation and the Prison Reform Trust. The Department of Film, Theatre, Television at The University of Reading can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/film-theatre-television/

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 describing the writing process. In this episode, Phil and Paula are joined by Jimmy along with the Executive Producer Tom Sherry to discuss the complexities of depicting prisons on the small screen. We also hear that clip from Jimmy's talk behind bars. Time is available to watch on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p09fs2qh/time

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 system with education and mentoring.  For more information on the Longford Trust, visit www.longfordtrust.org.

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 Department of Law and Criminology at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK. Her research on prisons and penology has focused on short-term sentences and post-release ‘frustrated desistance’ among women, and the experience of long-term incarceration among life-sentenced prisoners. Ben is Deputy Director of the Prisons Research Centre at the Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge. He is interested in all aspects of prison life, including prison management, staff-prisoner relationships, public and private sector imprisonment, penal power and prisoner social life. Further reading: Experiencing long-term imprisonment from young adulthood (Wright, Crewe, Hulley): Ministry of Justice Life Imprisonment from Young Adulthood (Wright, Crewe, Hulley): Palgrave Macmillan  

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 London, UK. Her research on prisons and penology has focused on short-term sentences and post-release ‘frustrated desistance’ among women, and the experience of long-term incarceration among life-sentenced prisoners. Susie is a Senior Research Associate at the Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge. She is interested in how young people are affected by the criminal justice system, particularly their experiences of criminalisation and imprisonment. Her recent work focuses on the application of ‘joint enterprise’ by criminal justice practitioners (including lawyers and the police) and the impact of this legal doctrine on young people.   Further reading: Experiencing long-term imprisonment from young adulthood (Wright, Crewe, Hulley): Ministry of Justice Life Imprisonment from Young Adulthood (Wright, Crewe, Hulley): Palgrave Macmillan  

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

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 Producer: Louisa Adams

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: Duewaine and Lady Unchained Producer: Louisa Adams

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, Executive Director for Youth Custody Services at the Ministry of Justice, and Dr Giles McCathie, Lead Psychologist for Youth Custody Services. You can listen to all seven episodes of Future Prison here, including a brand new episode following up those conversations six months on. Presenters: Phil Maguire, Paula Harriott and Hilary Ineomo-Marcus Guests: Courtney, Dr Helga Swindenbank and Dr Giles McCathie This episode contains references to self harm and suicide.

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 Prison Reform Trust, is back to tell us more about how the pandemic has affected the ways people inside can speak to their loved ones. Presenters: Phil Maguire and Paula Harriott Guests: Peter Yarwood, Dr Kimmett Edgar, Rich Jones and Kemi Ryan Producers: Louisa Adams and Andrew Wilkie