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In Reasons To Be Cheerful – Part One, which was published yesterday, I had written about my previous day where I co-chaired the RECONNECT launch event alongside Lord Bradley and Kate Davies CBE. Also published yesterday was the Education Committee's report on their inquiry into prison education. I say yesterday, but in fact, the report had … Continue reading Reasons To Be Cheerful – Part Two →

Yesterday, May 17, 2022, and today are two days which not only validate my attitude of #whatcanbe but have also combined and made all my past experiences, negative and positive, worthwhile. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I would never want to live through my negative experiences again, but I don't want … Continue reading Reasons To Be Cheerful – Part One →

I may only be one person but I’m not unique. Far from it. As when it comes to the criminal justice system, I share a part of my journey with thousands. As a child and asked the question, what do you want to be, my answer was not to be trapped in the school to … Continue reading Pipeline →

As much as I do try and promote a positive image of our criminal justice system; and just like there's the negative aspect of the criminal justice system, one I focus on as well as the positives, my life is also not always positive. So be aware, as what I write could be a trigger … Continue reading I Wanna Tell You A Story →

May 5, 1997 is a day I will never forget, as it is the day my first son was born. May 5, 2022 is also a day I'll never forget. It was the day I visited HMP Doncaster, as a guest of Teresa Bruce, head of learning and skills. I have served time in several … Continue reading THE VISIT →

Born on November 14, 1807, Thomas Barwick Lloyd Baker, to give him his full name, is a man who appeared on my radar simply by chance, it was whist I was searching for a B.B. for a different subject. The B.B. I was looking for turned out to be Benjamin Benjamin. However, Barwick Baker also … Continue reading Barwick Baker →

I had a story published in The Best New True Crime Stories - Well-Mannered, Crooks, Rogues & Criminals, edited by Mitzi Szereto and published by Mango Publishing. I've shared a link to the book below, under which I have the shared the introduction to my story, The Monk, The Brain, and the Marlborough Diamond. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0992V4215/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1 … Continue reading The Idols Eye →

I finished part two with a brief look at the Criminal Justice Act 1948 and the introduction of detention, and attendance, centres. AC/DC, although I wasn't a fan (of the band, attendance centres, and detention centres) were more than just a rock band in my life. I can still remember my time as a teenager … Continue reading The History of Probation – Part three →

Welcome back to the history of probation. I ended part one with the following: “The Police Court Mission (PCM) was founded by the CETS in 1876 and began in London; offenders could avoid punishment by being placed under the supervision of court missionaries, for practical support and guidance and were also encouraged to sign the … Continue reading The History of Probation – Part Two →

The background My relationship with probation lasted for almost forty-years and there was no gold clock at the end of it. The only way I can describe my relationship with probation over that time is fractured. However, this isn’t a personal history of my relationship with probation, but I, for one, am quite shocked I’m … Continue reading The history of probation – Part One →