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The Secret Life of Prisons

Prison Radio Association
Prison Reform
Prison System
Rehabilitation
Criminal Justice System
Keir Starmer
Trauma
UK Prisons
National Prison Radio
Prison Radio Association
Probation Services
General Election
Chris Walters' Journey
Miscarriages Of Justice
Andrew Malkinson
Prison Violence
Labour Government
Conservative Party
Sentencing Bill
Labour Party
Crime and Justice

The 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

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Artwork for The Secret Life of Prisons

Latest Episodes

Sarah was released from prison after spending 16 years behind bars as part of a life sentence. She was released to an approved premises two hours away from her friends and family. She had no ID, no bank account, no job, and the world had completely c... more

Ian Watkins, the disgraced former front man of the rock band Lostprophets, died in HMP Wakefield on Saturday 11 October. Two men have been charged with his murder. Watkins was serving a 29-year sentence for crimes that were so shocking, the judge in ... more

When Laura found herself in HMP Eastwood Park serving the latest of a string of prison terms, something magical happened when she met Isie Potter, a music teacher who had recently become Musician Residence at the prison.

In this emotional episode, t... more

Shahid Amin was serving a long sentence in HMP Grendon when he began studying criminology. This came after teenage years in which being engaged with the police and the criminal justice system overshadowed any early experiences with education. He has ... more

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Recent Guests

Tom Wheatley
Former governor of HMP Wakefield and president of the Prison Governors Association
Prison Governors Association
Episode: The day after the death of Ian Watkins | Tom Wheatley
Isie Potter
Musician who worked with Changing Tunes as a musician in residence at HMP Eastwood Park.
Changing Tunes
Episode: Changing Tunes | Isie Potter and Laura
Dr. Ruth Armstrong
A criminologist from the University of Liverpool, with over 20 years in criminal justice.
University of Liverpool
Episode: What is criminology? | Live from the University of Greenwich | Shahid Amin and Dr Ruth Armstrong
Shahid Amin
A former student of criminology who studied while serving a sentence, now active in social work.
Episode: What is criminology? | Live from the University of Greenwich | Shahid Amin and Dr Ruth Armstrong
David Breakspear
A peer mentor, advocate, and ambassador for those who've been to prison, studying for a masters in Applied Forensic Psychology.
Episode: Your questions answered | David Breakspear and Dr. Ruth Armstrong
Martin Jones
His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Probation
Probation Service
Episode: The Future of Probation: Part 3 | Martin Jones CBE, Professor Nicola Carr and Dr. Matthew Millings
Dr. Matthew Millings
Reader in Criminal Justice at Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool John Moores University
Episode: The Future of Probation: Part 3 | Martin Jones CBE, Professor Nicola Carr and Dr. Matthew Millings
Professor Nicola Carr
Professor at Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin
Episode: The Future of Probation: Part 3 | Martin Jones CBE, Professor Nicola Carr and Dr. Matthew Millings
Colin McFarlane
Actor, advocate for the Windrush generation
Justice for Windrush
Episode: Windrush | James Batchelor and Colin McFarlane

Hosts

Paula Harriott
Co-host and Chief Executive of Unlock, she has experience working with people who have been in prison and aims to help them contribute to discussions about criminal justice.
Phil Maguire
Co-host and Chief Executive of the Prison Radio Association with over twenty years of experience in the prison system.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 182 ratings
  • 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 Podcasts
    5
    seanie227
    United Kingdom5 months 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 Podcasts
    5
    Rvaf
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Excellent podcast! Great topics and professionally delivered.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    bennkr9
    2 years ago
  • Recommend to everyone

    Painfully beautiful

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MDMA 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 Podcasts
    5
    Davisface
    United Kingdom5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many express appreciation for the inclusive approach, showcasing voices from former inmates and advocates, fostering empathy and understanding.
Critics sometimes mention a perceived bias towards the perspectives of incarcerated individuals, emphasizing the need for a balanced view on crime and punishment.
Listeners praise the podcast for its insightful and informative discussions surrounding prison life and justice reform.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The day after the death of Ian Watkins | Tom Wheatley
Q: Can you explain the impact of violence in prisons on both prisoners and staff?
It creates an atmosphere of fear and anxiety, reminding everyone of the potential risks involved in such settings.
The day after the death of Ian Watkins | Tom Wheatley
Q: What were your immediate thoughts when you heard the news about Ian Watkins' death?
Immediate shock; it reminds both staff and prisoners of the inherent dangers of the environment.
A life sentence | Sarah
Q: What can they learn from your experience? What would you like them to know?
Staff in prisons do not have the correct training. I think training should be mandatory for those dealing with individuals serving life sentences.
A life sentence | Sarah
Q: What was the first thing that struck you about this new world that you were entering?
The technology had changed. I walked into a shop and saw self-service checkouts everywhere, which was overwhelming for me.
A life sentence | Sarah
Q: Did you have a vision of where you were going to live, what you were going to do with your future?
No, they hadn't [helped secure employment] because I wasn't going to open and I was getting released, and I had no clue of what I was going to do.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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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?

This podcast offers a unique perspective on the complexities of the prison system, focusing on personal narratives and the often unseen lives of incarcerated individuals. It features discussions about issues such as rehabilitation, the mental health impacts of incarceration, and the societal perceptions surrounding prison life. Noteworthy is the podcast's commitment to giving a voice to those who have been affected by the criminal justice system, including former inmates and family members, making it an essential listen for anyone interested in social justice, crime reform, and the human aspects of incarceration. Alongside poignant stories, the series frequently includes expert insights, providing both educational and enlightening content.

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How many listeners does The Secret Life of Prisons get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Secret Life of Prisons have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Secret Life of Prisons?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Secret Life of Prisons:

1. The Louis Theroux Podcast
2. Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith
3. The Rest Is Entertainment
4. UK True Crime Podcast
5. British Murders with Stuart Blues

How many episodes of The Secret Life of Prisons are there?

The Secret Life of Prisons launched 6 years ago and published 113 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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What guests have appeared on The Secret Life of Prisons?

Recent guests on The Secret Life of Prisons include:

1. Tom Wheatley
2. Isie Potter
3. Dr. Ruth Armstrong
4. Shahid Amin
5. David Breakspear
6. Martin Jones
7. Dr. Matthew Millings
8. Professor Nicola Carr

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.

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