Rehabilitation is an attitude.
When I wrote my first blog David had absolutely no idea. I don't want him to influence what I write and I want my blogs to be my genuine words, thoughts and opinions. Otherwise what's the point? I might as well just type up David's blogs and put my name to them. When he received … Continue reading Keef Goes Undercover
Bit of a long blog I'm afraid, however, I'd like to think the end justifies the means. I've mentioned on a number of occasions about how one of my coping mechanisms when things in the brain department need a tidy up is to be creative. I pick up a pen and paper and whatever comes … Continue reading Where’s it all heading?
When we reflect, look back at history it provides us with an opportunity to not only see where things went wrong and learn from the mistakes but to also see what went right and to learn from the lessons. A part of HMP Brixton's history provides us with evidence of #whatcanbe when the local community … Continue reading It takes a village!
The image above is a screenshot of the slide I used during my TEDx talk at The Open University in November last year. Who in their right mind could turn around and say that it looks like an environment conducive to rehabilitation? That's because it isn't, nor has it ever been or ever will be. … Continue reading Prison cell-ebration
The image below is a post I put up earlier today. My comment doesn't really explain the post fully and there is so much more to it, so I thought I would write a blog and share my journey that I've been on with The Open University. I had convinced myself during the off-season that … Continue reading Never too late
It can be difficult adapting to the prison environment, but it can be equally difficult readjusting to the home environment. A compelling description of institutionalisation comes from a report published in 1971: Imprisonment . . . denies autonomy, degrades dignity, impairs or destroys self-reliance, inculcates authoritarian values, minimizes the likelihood of beneficial interaction with one’s … Continue reading What do you mean institutionalised? Part 2
I don't typically publish two blogs in one day but sometimes you just have to allow the writing to dictate to you with no changes, ironic considering this blog is about change, had I saved this for another time I'd, with another hint at my past, make changes I shouldn't have. I'm sure that makes … Continue reading Spincarceration!
My Interview with Chris I had the good fortune of interviewing Chris Lambrianou for my first podcast, which discusses issues relating to our criminal justice system. We chat about his time in prison, reform, mental health and lots of other subjects. The link above is to the podcast, however, before you listen here is a brief … Continue reading Beware the ‘Ides of March’
It's funny, I decided to pen this blog after listening to a friends podcast, I'll share the link to the podcast at the end of this blog. Anyway, as soon as I had written the title I was immediately taken back to prison and another friend with whom I spent a number of years in … Continue reading www.What went wrong?
The 9th of June 2017, 3 years ago today, I was released from prison. No doubt, for most people being released, it is a joyous occasion. For me? Not so much. In fact, it was one of the scariest days of my life. I can hear some ask, "Shouldn't that be the day you go … Continue reading Get out! and Stay out!
