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Well, I'm pleased to start with that I haven't been a person on probation since April 26, 2019. The first time from since I last wore plimsols (or got hit with one by a teacher). My school to prison pipeline didn't appear to have a light at the end of the tunnel, until, ironically, prison … Continue reading a person on probation →

Making friends has never been a part of 'what can be', mainly because I knew that, along the way, I will make friends. New friends, that is, as I gave most of my old 'friends' up. I had to, for me. So, I've not been afraid of what to talk about or what to share, … Continue reading Justice? →

Formed in 1931, following the Castellammarese War, New York’s original ‘Five Families’ consisted of the Luciano, Profaci, Gagliano, Mangano, and Maranzano organised crime families. After attempting to have Luciano murdered the wheels were turned on Maranzano on September 10, 1931, and following Maranzano’s death, Joseph Bonanno, at the age of 26, became one of the … Continue reading Book Launch!! →

Thanks to the fantastic work I am involved in, through being a member of Revolving Doors Lived Experience Team and those we work with, I get to see the criminal justice system as a whole thing rather than a myriad of sections. Which, in a way, is just like reducing reoffending. I can't speak for … Continue reading The Bigger Picture →

I hadn't planned to write a part two on prison life; then again, I don't plan any of my blogs. I write when, and what, I feel. When I do write and the subject is on prison, I usually find my mind drifting back to a prison cell. Not in a bad way, as I've … Continue reading Prison Life 2 →

What’s prison like? Is a question you tend to get often if you’ve been to prison, it’s usually followed by, is it the same as it is on the television? Did you meet any murderers? Was another. A lot of the time, it can be incredibly boring, no and its prison, of course I did. … Continue reading Prison Life →

As you know P.O.E.T.S stands for piss off early tomorrow is Saturday and I'll admit I was against ending Friday releases for people leaving prison for that very reason. I saw no reason as to why anyone should not be released on a Friday and that it was down to the support services to ensure … Continue reading P.O.E.T.S →

It is said that sharing is caring, and rightly so, however, it can also become counter-productive in later life, especially if you want to move on, and most especially if it's your personal story you are sharing. Fortunately, my personal story is also the very thing I use in the very thing it is that … Continue reading Safe Sharing →

There are some parts of my history I still don't talk, or write, about, not that they will act as triggers if I ever do. There are some parts I talk, write, about, that still make me feel uncomfortable, better out than in. Then there are some parts of my life I could happily talk, … Continue reading Mentoring →

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 →