David Shipley is a writer, campaigner, has worked as a consultant prison inspector, and is the author of the Substack Shipley Writes. David's work has appeared in The Spectator, The Sunday Times and The Telegraph. 

In this conversation, we think out loud about the moral and institutional collapse of Britain’s justice system — and what meaningful reform would actually require.

David reflects on his extraordinary life journey: from a career in corporate finance, to imprisonment for fraud, to becoming one of the most forthright critics of Britain’s prison regime. We discuss how the prison system has deteriorated not merely through incompetence, but through the influence of a morally relativistic, hyper-liberal culture that has abandoned judgement, responsibility, and truth-telling.

We examine what genuine rehabilitation should look like in practice; the daily realities faced by prison officers; the dangers posed by Islamic gangs and extremism within prisons; and why David supports the reintroduction of the death penalty in the United Kingdom. We also explore the role of faith in his own transformation, and his belief that England can once again become a safer, more just society — but only if it regains the courage to uphold moral standards and enforce the law.

This is a serious conversation about justice, punishment, mercy, and order — and about whether a civilisation that no longer believes in moral truth can hope to remain free.

You can follow David’s work here:

• X/Twitter
• David’s Substack
• David’s website
• The Spectator
• The Telegraph

About Thinking Class:
Thinking Class is a long-form interview podcast exploring the cultural, historical, and moral forces shaping England, Britain, and the wider Western world.

Hosted by John Gillam, the show features serious conversations with historians, academics, and independent thinkers.

Thinking Class is concerned with discovering long-term patterns over headlines and hot-takes. Expect historically-grounded analysis on matters of national character, institutions, demography, belief, and political legitimacy.

New episodes every week.

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