Bill Allen (William Frank Allen) is an ex-prison officer who worked in the Crumlin Road Jail and Maze Prison at the height of the troubles.

In today’s episode, we talk about:

• Growing up in London after WW2
• Mars Bars coming off the ration
• How he got into prison work
• Physical courage
• War hero and friend Ken Lewis
• The Shankill Butchers
• Why rough men keep the world safe
• How a dog foiled a prison escape
• His dislike of certainty
• And 50-years of sobriety

This conversation is part of our Wild Wisdom mini-series in partnership with Sai Kelly where we talk with older men about what masculinity means to them, the experiences that shaped them and the hard-earned lessons they’ve picked up along the way.

Check it out.

//

https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/bill-allen-prison-officer

//