The Secret Life of Prisons
Prison Radio AssociationThe Secret Life of Prisons is produced by a charity, the Prison Radio Association. To make a donation please visit prison.radio/donate. The podcast tells the hidden stories from behind bars. Paula Harriott is Chief Executive of Unlock. She spent time in prison and now works to help those who have been to prison to contribute to the debate around crime and justice. Phil Maguire is the Chief Executi... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 126 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureNews | |||
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Latest Episodes
Ep1: Can prisoners (and prisons) change?
A special series of podcasts recorded live in association with the University of Liverpool’s Making Space for Radical Imagination project.
Academics from the University of Liverpool ran a series of Challenge... more
As the Sentencing Act 2026 receives royal assent, Phil and Paula take to the stage at Conway Hall in London as part of the Clinks annual conference 2026.
Lord James Timpson was Chief Executive of Timpsons, where he pioneered the employment, at scale... more
Andy West teaches philosophy in prisons. His father and brother spent time behind bars and he wrote a memoir, The Life Inside, about his career in prisons which we featured in an episode back in May 2025. That book has now been adapted for a BBC1 ser... more
Every year the radio industry gathers for the Radio Festival in London. The event, run by a wonderful organisation called the Radio Academy, brings together radio professionals from across the country to see the finest broadcasting talent talking abo... more
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- Excellent insights
I don’t have a lot of personal experience of prisons, but this podcast really brims with excellent insights and compassion for a group of people commonly despised by society, and those charged with guarding and helping them. However appalling some of their crimes may be - and I don’t deny the suffering of the victims - prisoners are, after all, human beings; and many, perhaps most, have endured extremely painful experiences on their way to prison. This podcast reminds us of the basic humanity... more
Apple Podcasts5seanie227
United Kingdoma year ago - High quality political podcast
Fantastic podcast, I’ve listened to every episode. Huge respect for Paula Harriott. The humanity that you bring to this content about our criminal justice system is invaluable. Keep up the great work.
Apple Podcasts5RvafUnited Kingdom2 years ago Excellent podcast! Great topics and professionally delivered.
Podcast Addict52 years agobennkr9- Recommend to everyone
Painfully beautiful
Apple Podcasts5MDMA matt
Australia5 years ago - Enlightening
I’m a criminology student and my lecturer recommended this podcast. I feel like this should be listened to by every adult, the understanding and insight it offers is so enlightening and I feel changed as a person. I have always been interested in prison reform but I never understood the extent of the effects of prison life!!
A perfect podcast, the guests, questions and poet at the end are just so moving!!
Take a listen, share it with your friends, you won’t regret it
Apple Podcasts5DavisfaceUnited Kingdom6 years ago
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Apple Podcasts | #170 |  Chile/Society & Culture |
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Secret Life of Prisons
What is The Secret Life of Prisons about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A hard-hitting, human-centered show that centers conversations around prison reform, rehabilitation, and the media's role in shaping public perception of crime. Episodes frequently feature policymakers, advocates, prison staff, and individuals with lived experience, who discuss reforms, funding, and practical paths for reintegration. Notable throughlines include the Sentencing Act and broader systemic change, the power of storytelling and media ethics, and programs that give voice to those inside and transitioning from prison. It's likely to appeal to listeners who want nuanced perspectives from practitioners and people directly affected by the justice system, with a strong emphasis on community impact and practical reform efforts.
Where can I find podcast stats for The Secret Life of Prisons?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Secret Life of Prisons. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Secret Life of Prisons and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does The Secret Life of Prisons get?
Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Secret Life of Prisons, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.
What are the audience demographics for The Secret Life of Prisons?
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How many subscribers and views does The Secret Life of Prisons have?
To see how many followers or subscribers The Secret Life of Prisons has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
Which podcasts are similar to The Secret Life of Prisons?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Secret Life of Prisons:
1. Desert Island Discs
2. File on 4 Investigates
3. The Crime Agents
4. Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth
5. Comedy of the Week
How many episodes of The Secret Life of Prisons are there?
The Secret Life of Prisons launched 7 years ago and published 126 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact The Secret Life of Prisons?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Secret Life of Prisons?
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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Secret Life of Prisons?
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What guests have appeared on The Secret Life of Prisons?
Recent guests on The Secret Life of Prisons include:
1. Anne Fox
2. James Timpson
3. Charlie Moloney
4. Beatrice Auty
5. Toni Garrigos
6. Faye Dunn
7. Wayne Hickman
8. Dame Rachel De Souza
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.