Laura Bevan is the Prisoner and Family Service Manager at Prisoners Abroad. Prisoners Abroad is a human rights and welfare charity providing humanitarian aid, advice and emotional support to people affected by overseas imprisonment. They assist British citizens during their incarceration, when they return to the UK and need access to resettlement services, and they support their family and friends throughout the trauma. In this episode, we discuss the incredible work Prisoners Abroad does and Laura shares some stories of people they’ve helped.

Prisoners Abroad Website

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Please note that the views and opinions expressed by all guests on the Evolving Prisons podcast are not the views or opinions of the host. 

Mike Oulton has spent 15 years in prison in Mexico and Canada. He was a career criminal but his positive outlook on life and growth has enabled him to break free from a life of crime. Mike talks about first being arrested at the age of 10. He tells us about his 10 year prison sentence in Mexico for drug smuggling, and his imprisonment in Canada thereafter. He shares some prison rules that we can all implement in our own lives and gives us tips for how we can live a happier life.

Mike's links

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Please note that the views and opinions expressed by all guests on the Evolving Prisons podcast are not the views or opinions of the host. 

Megan Michals is a social worker in Florida, USA. She shares her experience of working in a prison there to improve the wellbeing of incarcerated people and how she felt the work she was doing wasn't supported by the staff within the prison. Megan also tells us about recidivism in Florida and the 'three strikes and you're out' law which can see people spend their entire life in prison, even if they haven't committed a crime in many decades. She also shares how lack of quality nutrition and medical care in prison can cause problems for individuals, and society as a whole, when that person is released from prison.  

Megan's links 

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Evolving Prisons links  

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Please note that the views and opinions expressed by all guests on the Evolving Prisons podcast are not the views or opinions of the host.

Anthony Stephen Malone has a very varied career history. Among many things, he is a former paratrooper, special advisor and CIA agent. In this episode he speaks about the time he spent 3 years working undercover in a prison in Afghanistan and the 4 year prison sentence he served in prisons in England. Anthony tells us about some of the problems facing prisons in England today, he compares English prisons to some prisons he’s visited overseas and he talks about the importance of improving conditions for prison staff. 

Anthony's links

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Evolving Prisons links

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Please note that the views and opinions expressed by all guests on the Evolving Prisons podcast are not the views or opinions of the host. 

David Haze served two prison sentences in England for burglary which stemmed from using drugs and gambling. His second time in prison transformed his life as he discovered growth-orientated activities, including the power of sport. In prison, he ran a marathon and decided he would paddle the longest lakes in the UK when he was released. He is now a 7x SUP World Record holder. In this episode he speaks about the human need he was trying to meet while taking drugs and gambling, what happened in prison to change his life, the incredible SUP World Records he has broken and hopes to break in 2023, plus his plans for the future.

David's links

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Please note that the views and opinions expressed by all guests on the Evolving Prisons podcast are not the views or opinions of the host.

Sally Taylor is the Chief Executive of Koestler Arts, a prison arts charity. They aim to help prisoners, and other detained individuals, lead more positive lives by motivating them to participate in the arts. They currently have their annual exhibition on in Southbank London until 18 December 2022 which showcases work created by people in prison or other places of detention. The exhibition is presented by hosts who have lived experience of being in prison. Sally tells us about the exhibition, some stories about how the Koestler Arts have positively impact the lives of many people and she shares a wonderful poem with us written by an entrant to the Koestler Awards. 

Koestler Arts links

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Please note that the views and opinions expressed by all guests on the Evolving Prisons podcast are not the views or opinions of the host.

Tommy had a methamphetamine addiction and served time in prison in Auckland, New Zealand. He went on to study for a degree in Criminology and work for an organisation which aims to transform the criminal justice system in New Zealand. In this episode he speaks about his addiction and using drugs to make him feel better internally. He explains how he felt his personality was stripped away from him in prison and the lack of access to rehabilitation opportunities. Tommy also shares that two police officers caught him in possession of drugs, but treated it as a health issue rather than criminalising him. 

Tommy's links

Podcast

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Please note that the views and opinions expressed by all guests on the Evolving Prisons podcast are not the views or opinions of the host.

Anthony Pierre went from earning $40,000 a month as a real estate investor in the USA, to serving a 6 year prison sentence for drug charges and only earning $20 a month in prison. Anthony speaks about the importance of mindset in turning your life around. He explains that, because many people around him used drugs, he didn’t see them as being particularly bad, not the way somebody who has never been exposed to drugs might. It wasn’t until he was in prison that he realised how much the people around you can shape and influence your behaviour. Anthony became an ordained minister in prison. He also started delivering classes to fellow prisoners on the importance of moral ethics and always doing the right thing, and how to create a successful business post release from prison. You can learn more about Anthony's business here or connect with him on social media here.

Anthony's links

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Please note that the views and opinions expressed by all guests on the Evolving Prisons podcast are not the views or opinions of the host.

Jolyn Armstrong was living a happy life with her husband and spending a lot of her time travelling, as she was able to work on her business from anywhere. Jolyn’s life dramatically changed when she got a phone call from her son to say he had been arrested and was facing life in prison. Jolyn speaks about navigating the criminal justice system, how she dealt with changing relationships when her son was incarcerated, the stigma attached to having a loved one in prison, and support groups available for families of people in prison. We also discuss Jolyn's book 'Trauma Recovery'. 

Jolyn's link

Website

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Please note that the views and opinions expressed by all guests on the Evolving Prisons podcast are not the views or opinions of the host.

Dr Craig Waleed is an educator and counsellor. He is currently working as a Campaign Manager to end the use of long term solitary confinement in North Carolina. He holds a master’s degree and a PhD, and he also spent 8 years in prison in New York for attempted murder in the second degree. In this episode Craig shares with us that he was subjected to abuse growing up. He speaks about prison and how dehumanising it can be, including his two 30 day stays in solitary confinement. We also speak about how, when a person leaves prison, their debt to society should be paid, however it often isn’t, as people with convictions can face discrimination post release. 

Craig's book

'Prison to Promise: A Chronicle of Healing and Transformation'

Evolving Prisons links

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Please note that the views and opinions expressed by all guests on the Evolving Prisons podcast are not the views or opinions of the host.