Life After Prison – Details, episodes & analysis

Zak and Jules meet Abdul Bangura. Abdul has served three prison sentences. He is now a successful entrepreneur running his own aviation business. Abdul talks to Zak and Jules about how a chance meeting with his mentor in prison set him on a path to see his own potential. 

Useful organisations:  

The Alac Group – Abdul Bangura’s aviation Company 

https://thealacgroup.co.uk/about 

Power The Fight – a charity that empowers local communities to end youth violence 

https://www.powerthefight.org.uk/ 

School For Social Entrepreneurs – Supporting people ignite change in their communities 

https://www.the-sse.org/ 

Social Ark (East London) – Social Ark is a charity supporting young people from under-resourced communities, including ex-offenders, to create social enterprises or community-focused businesses.  

https://www.socialark.co.uk/  

The Open University – Business and Entrepreneurship Courses (Nationwide) – The Open University offers a wide range of courses in business, management, and entrepreneurship, with many open to those with justice system involvement. 

https://www.open.ac.uk/  

The King’s Trust (Nationwide) – The King’s Trust offers a range of programs to support young people, including ex-offenders, in starting their own businesses. 

https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/  

The Longford Trust (Nationwide) – The Longford Trust offers mentoring and scholarships to prisoners and ex-offenders pursuing higher education. 

https://www.longfordtrust.org/  

Tempus Novo (Leeds) – Tempus Novo works with ex-offenders to secure stable employment, particularly focusing on the transition to self-employment or business ownership for those who want to pursue an entrepreneurial path. 

https://www.tempusnovo.org/  

Changing Lives (North East and Midlands) – Changing Lives provides support for those coming out of prison, including pathways to entrepreneurship and self-employment through vocational training. 

https://www.changing-lives.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 is joined by trainee barrister Kiri, whose dreams of a legal career were shaped when she was remanded in prison under joint enterprise law. Kiri tells Jules about the abusive relationship that caused her downward spiral, and the hard work that’s got her where she is today. Together they talk about the power of lived experience, being on the other side of criminal justice system, and getting more women into law. 

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

Useful organisations: 

Inside Justice https://www.insidejustice.co.uk/  

Criminal Justice Alliance https://www.criminaljusticealliance.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.

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 the 10th January. The inquiry wants to hear from people with direct experiences of prison, both as prisoners and staff. Your experiences and opinions are valuable and could help improve the situation for people in prison. Click this link to take part

 https://committees.parliament.uk/work/8565/prison-culture-governance-leadership-and-staffing/

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

Useful organisations:  

Switchback (London) – supports young men aged 18-30 leaving prison by providing intensive, one-to-one mentorship and practical support to help them build stable and fulfilling lives. Their holistic approach focuses on personal growth, securing employment, and avoiding reoffending. 

http://www.switchback.org.uk 

Breakthrough (London) – Breakthrough Social Enterprise is a pioneering organisation dedicated to empowering individuals from underserved and marginalised backgrounds, including those leaving prison and with criminal records, to transform their lives through education, skills development, and employment opportunities.

https://www.wearebreakthrough.org/ 

Working Chance (London) – They help women secure sustainable employment by offering workshops, career coaching, and job placement services, aiming to challenge stigma and foster inclusion. 

http://www.workingchance.org

Partners of Prisoners (POPS) (North West) – POPS supports prisoners' families, recognizing the challenges they face during imprisonment and release. They offer family support, resettlement programs, and advocacy for individuals leaving prison, ensuring they and their families have the resources to reintegrate smoothly. 

http://www.partnersofprisoners.co.uk  

 St. Giles Trust (Nationwide) – Provides individualised support for people leaving prison, focusing on practical needs like housing, employment, and managing financial issues. They have specialized services for those who may need extra guidance and stability after early release. 

https://www.stgilestrust.org.uk  

The Forward Trust (England) – Provides support for individuals struggling with addiction and mental health issues. They offer services that include counseling and rehabilitation for people in and out of prison, particularly beneficial for those on early release who may be navigating complex mental health needs. 

https://www.forwardtrust.org.uk  

The Wallich (Cardiff) – A homelessness and resettlement charity that provides support to people exiting the prison system, with emphasis on stable housing and community reintegration. 

https://thewallich.com  

Apex Scotland – Provides services to reduce reoffending and support reintegration, including employment and training programs for early release individuals. 

https://www.apexscotland.org.uk  

Extern (Northern Ireland) – Supports people with criminal records, offering mental health, addiction, and resettlement services, focusing on helping early release individuals adjust. 

https://www.extern.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.  

💬 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 we are joined by CEO, radio producer, presenter and DJ Anthony Olanipekun who left prison and founded music platform Soul Surge. Tony opens up about his life before, during and after prison, touching on how he is dealing with past trauma through therapy and describing the journey of starting his life again after release.

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

Useful organisations:

• NACRO
• Women In Prison
• Advance
• Clinks Directory
• Irene Taylor Trust

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 and Twitter

📧 Email us: podcasts@prison.radio

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

🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/

Tony’s socials:

@tonysupremeuk

Soul Surge – https://soulsurge.co/

School Ground Sounds – https://www.schoolgroundsounds.org/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jules and Zak are joined by Lizzy Jewell from Working Chance to talk about finding a job after being in prison. They discuss employers’ changing attitudes towards people with convictions and the importance of having a backup plan while you look for your dream job.

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

Organisations mentioned: 

• Working Chance
• Switchback
• Employment 4 All
• Only A Pavement Away
• New Futures Network
• St Giles Trust
• Bounceback
• Clean Slate Solutions
• NACRO

Contact us:

If you’ve got an experience to share about looking for work after your release please let us know, or if you have contacted an organisation that we’ve mentioned here or if you just fancy getting in touch, send us a message!

💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter

📧 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.

Tassie joins Zak and Jules to talk about her journey through the Criminal Justice System, from entering as a YO and becoming homeless at a young age, Tassie reflects on the life that she fell into and how she got out of it. Since coming out, Tassie has set up her own business helping to support care leavers in custody and gained a university degree. She now works for HMPPS as Reducing Re-offending National Lived Experience Lead.

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

Useful organisations:

• The Rees Foundation 
• Care Leaver Covenant
• Catch 22
• Prison Reform Trust
• User Voice
• Revolving Doors
• Epic
• Going Forward into Employment Scheme

Contact us:

If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, please let us know.

💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter

📧 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.

In this episode, Jules and Zak are joined by Heidi Trott from Shelter to discuss the housing options available if you've recently left prison. We hear from Marcel, who found it difficult to get social housing when he first came out. Heidi tells Zak and Jules where people can go to find support and does some myth-busting around what it means to have ‘priority need’ status or a local connection.

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

Useful organisations:

• Shelter
• Crisis
• St Mungo’s
• Housing For Women
• NACRO
• Framework
• Langley House Trust
• Recycling Lives
• St Giles Trust
• Change Grow Live

Contact us:

If you’ve heard something today that’s made you think differently about disclosing your conviction, let us know.

💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter

📧 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.

In this episode Zak and Jules are joined by Tracy, who has two sons serving life sentences and Hilda, who is Zak’s mum. In a fascinating and emotional episode, Tracy and Hilda talk about how it felt when their sons received their sentences, and how to stay strong when you have a loved one inside.

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

Useful organisations:

•    Partners of Prisoners 
•    JENGbA
•    PACT     
•    Prisoners Family Helpline – 0808 808 2003
•    Sussex Prisoners Families

Contact us:

If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to reach out to a family member, please let us know.

💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter

📧 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.

In this episode, Jules and Zak are joined by Debbie from Unlock to discuss the issues around disclosing your conviction when applying for jobs. Debbie explains how important it is to understand when and how to disclose your conviction. She also talks about the difference between spent and unspent convictions, and the benefits of putting together a disclosure statement.

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

Useful organisations:

• Unlock
• Unlock’s Disclosure Calculator
• To get the details of your criminal record – ACRO
• A Fairer Chance
• NACRO
• NACRO Helpline Number – 0300 123 1999
• Switchback
• Working Chance

Contact us:

If you’ve heard something today that’s made you think differently about disclosing your conviction, let us know.

💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter

📧 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.

Zak and Jules share their stories and explain how they ended up where they are today as the hosts of the Life After Prison podcast. They reflect on receiving their sentences, other people’s perceptions of them and how prison affected their family relationships.

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

Useful organisations:

• NACRO
• Unlock
• Clinks Directory

Contact us:

If there’s something you would like to hear us talk about on Life After Prison please drop us a message to let us know.

💬 DM us: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and Twitter

📧 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.