In this episode of "All Things Conflict," Maria Arpa welcomes John Burton, a former prisoner turned social entrepreneur, who shares his remarkable journey from a life of crime to founding Inside Connections, a company dedicated to helping individuals reintegrate into society after incarceration. John discusses his experiences growing up in Liverpool, his struggles with drugs and crime, and the transformative moments that led him to change his life. He emphasizes the importance of employment in reducing reoffending rates and highlights the innovative training programs his organisation offers to support those coming out of prison. Throughout the conversation, John reflects on the power of lived experience in shaping effective rehabilitation strategies and advocates for more inclusive approaches within the justice system. This inspiring dialogue showcases the potential for change and the impact of compassion in addressing societal challenges.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Transformative Journey: The individual shared a powerful personal story of transformation from a life of crime and imprisonment to one dedicated to helping others reintegrate into society and find employment.

Importance of Employment: Emphasizing that stable employment is crucial for reducing recidivism, the individual developed an app and a training program to connect ex-offenders with job opportunities and essential services.

Lived Experience in Justice Reform: There is a strong belief that individuals with lived experience in the criminal justice system should be involved in shaping policies and practices, as they can provide valuable insights that policymakers may lack.

Focus on Rehabilitation: The need for more open conditions and rehabilitation programs in prisons was highlighted, advocating for a system that prioritizes preparing inmates for successful reintegration into society.

Consequences of Actions: The individual stresses the importance of thinking before acting, particularly in high-stress situations, and encourages others to consider the long-term consequences of their choices to avoid repeating past mistakes.

BEST MOMENTS

"The biggest threat to progress and growth is often the internal conflict and the poor communication between team members." - Maria Arpa

"I knew at an early age we couldn't get work... sometimes you've just got to fend for yourself." - John Burton

"If we've got employment going out the gate, then it's going to reduce the risk of anyone reoffending." - John Burton

"You have to think of the consequences... hitting him is just going to take all that away." - John Burton

"I would start building more Cat D open estates and start doing closed conditions and give more rehabilitation time for people." - John Burton

Maria's Training

https://www.peacefulsolutions.org.uk/training/

SOCIAL LINKS

www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org

www.peacefulsolutions.org.uk

www.workplacehuddle.com

HOST BIO

Maria founded the Centre for Peaceful Solutions in response to the fatal shooting of a 7 year old in her neighbourhood. She developed a model of conflict resolution for violent crime using her brainchild, the Dialogue Road Map (DRM).  

Over 30 years she has mediated everything from threat to life gang disputes to high stakes business deals gone wrong, Maria empowers people to resolve conflict without reliance on experts. So she trains violent prisoners to be facilitators, leaders to be effective communicators, teenagers to be peer mediators and neighbours to be tenant listeners within their respective communities.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/