The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments

Summary Labels can stick to people for life and seriously restrict  their opportunities for change, improvement and reparation. Those who are sentenced for committing sexual offences will find themselves the most despised in society, the target for everyone's hatred and scorn. Unable to get employment or accommodation. Yet how are they to move on from their terrible acts? The Safer Living Foundation is a charity that provides support for individuals with sexual convictions or problematic sexual behaviors. They offer circles of support and accountability, where volunteers meet with individuals who have been convicted of sexual offenses to provide support and help with reintegration into society. The foundation also runs the Safer Living Centre, which offers a safe space for individuals with sexual convictions to receive support and assistance. The center provides a range of services, including prevention programs for individuals concerned about their sexual thoughts or behaviors. The foundation faces challenges in keeping the location of the center confidential and managing public perception of individuals with sexual convictions. Dave Potter discusses the impact and activities of the Safer Living Foundation, a charity that works with individuals who have committed sexual offenses. He highlights the need for support and rehabilitation rather than punishment, and emphasizes the importance of treating these individuals with dignity and respect. The charity offers various projects and activities, including cooking sessions, discussion groups, games clubs, mindfulness sessions, art classes, and more. The aim is to help individuals develop life skills, improve self-esteem, and reintegrate into society. The Safer Living Foundation has had a significant impact on reducing recidivism rates for sexual offenses. However, there is still a stigma associated with this work, and the media often perpetuates negative stereotypes. Dave emphasizes the need for society to change its perception and provide support for individuals with sexual convictions. He also discusses the challenges faced by staff in maintaining a compassionate approach and the importance of self-care.

Summary

Morag Edwards is an educational psychologist and author. In this conersations she discusses her experience at a co-ed boarding school in the 1960s. She highlights the lack of female perspectives in boarding school literature and the predominance of male boarding stories. Morag shares her personal experience of being sent to boarding school at the age of 10 and the shock and anxiety she felt. She describes the unsafe environment, lack of supervision, and prevalence of peer-on-peer sexual abuse. Morag also discusses the absence of female role models and the emotional neglect she experienced. She emphasizes the need for schools to be aware of and intervene in peer-on-peer abuse. The conversation explores the experiences of Morag at a boarding school and the long-lasting effects it had on her identity and parenting. It also delves into the changes in the field of educational psychology over the years and the challenges faced by professionals in the field. Morag emphasizes the importance of writing as a therapeutic tool and the need to maintain a sense of self in closed institutions. She also suggests finding time for solitude and using storytelling as a way to explore emotions and experiences.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Almost-Boys-Psychology-Co-ed-Boarding/dp/1913719065

Morag Edwards spent over 32 years as an educational psychologist. Under the author name Isobel Ross, Morag uses her knowledge of child development to provide psychological insight into her personal experience at a co-ed boarding school. Her memoir, ‘Almost Boys: The Psychology of Co-Ed Boarding in the 1960s, was published in January 2024. Morag also writes historical fiction and contemporary domestic suspense (under the author name Isobel Ross). She has an MA in creative writing from the University of Manchester's Centre for New Writing.

Summary

Morag Edwards is an educational psychologist and author. In this conersations she discusses her experience at a co-ed boarding school in the 1960s. She highlights the lack of female perspectives in boarding school literature and the predominance of male boarding stories. Morag shares her personal experience of being sent to boarding school at the age of 10 and the shock and anxiety she felt. She describes the unsafe environment, lack of supervision, and prevalence of peer-on-peer sexual abuse. Morag also discusses the absence of female role models and the emotional neglect she experienced. She emphasizes the need for schools to be aware of and intervene in peer-on-peer abuse. The conversation explores the experiences of Morag at a boarding school and the long-lasting effects it had on her identity and parenting. It also delves into the changes in the field of educational psychology over the years and the challenges faced by professionals in the field. Morag emphasizes the importance of writing as a therapeutic tool and the need to maintain a sense of self in closed institutions. She also suggests finding time for solitude and using storytelling as a way to explore emotions and experiences.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Almost-Boys-Psychology-Co-ed-Boarding/dp/1913719065

Morag Edwards spent over 32 years as an educational psychologist. Under the author name Isobel Ross, Morag uses her knowledge of child development to provide psychological insight into her personal experience at a co-ed boarding school. Her memoir, ‘Almost Boys: The Psychology of Co-Ed Boarding in the 1960s, was published in January 2024. Morag also writes historical fiction and contemporary domestic suspense (under the author name Isobel Ross). She has an MA in creative writing from the University of Manchester's Centre for New Writing.

Summary In this conversation we talk with Graham House, a former senior officer in the RAF. Graham discusses his decision to leave the military due to a serious conflict of values. He highlights instances of alleged cover-ups of rape and war crimes, as well as the mistreatment of whistleblowers. Graham emphasizes the importance of effective governance and the need for individuals in positions of power to ask difficult questions and prioritize serving the public. He also discusses the  tactics used to discredit dissenting voices. Graham discusses the importance of widening belief systems and the need for self-awareness, self-trust, resilience, and self-confidence. He shares his personal journey of rebuilding himself and his house after a destructive phase in his life. Graham emphasizes the need for individuals to take self-responsibility and prepare for tough times, as well as the importance of collaboration and cooperation in public service. He also discusses his involvement in Justice for Troops, an organization that aims to address crimes and cover-ups within the armed forces. Finally, Graham introduces , the Social Impact Academy, which aims to bring together capable people to create positive change.

https://thesocialimpactacademy.co.uk

KeywordsGraham House, RAF, conflict of values, cover-ups, rape, war crimes, mistreatment of whistleblowers, effective governance, serving the public, mental health, discrediting dissenting voices, belief systems, self-awareness, self-trust, resilience, self-confidence, rebuilding, self-responsibility, collaboration, cooperation, public service, Justice for Troops, crimes, cover-ups, armed forces, Social Impact Academy, positive change

Summary In this conversation we talk with Graham House, a former senior officer in the RAF. Graham discusses his decision to leave the military due to a serious conflict of values. He highlights instances of alleged cover-ups of rape and war crimes, as well as the mistreatment of whistleblowers. Graham emphasizes the importance of effective governance and the need for individuals in positions of power to ask difficult questions and prioritize serving the public. He also discusses the  tactics used to discredit dissenting voices. Graham discusses the importance of widening belief systems and the need for self-awareness, self-trust, resilience, and self-confidence. He shares his personal journey of rebuilding himself and his house after a destructive phase in his life. Graham emphasizes the need for individuals to take self-responsibility and prepare for tough times, as well as the importance of collaboration and cooperation in public service. He also discusses his involvement in Justice for Troops, an organization that aims to address crimes and cover-ups within the armed forces. Finally, Graham introduces , the Social Impact Academy, which aims to bring together capable people to create positive change.

https://thesocialimpactacademy.co.uk

KeywordsGraham House, RAF, conflict of values, cover-ups, rape, war crimes, mistreatment of whistleblowers, effective governance, serving the public, mental health, discrediting dissenting voices, belief systems, self-awareness, self-trust, resilience, self-confidence, rebuilding, self-responsibility, collaboration, cooperation, public service, Justice for Troops, crimes, cover-ups, armed forces, Social Impact Academy, positive change

SummaryLucy Johnston discusses the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF), an alternative to the diagnostic model of distress. The PTMF aims to move away from labeling and medicating distress and instead focuses on narrative practice and understanding. It emphasizes the role of power and the links between personal distress and wider social, political, and economic contexts. The PTMF has received both positive and negative reactions, with some seeing it as radical and threatening existing power structures. Lucy discusses the challenges and criticisms she has faced and the importance of continuing the conversation and promoting alternative narratives.

KeywordsPower Threat Meaning Framework, diagnostic model, distress, narrative practice, power, social context, alternative narratives

Dr Lucy Johnstone is a consultant clinical psychologist, author of 'Users and abusers of psychiatry' (3rd edition Routledge 2021) and ‘A straight-talking guide to psychiatric diagnosis’ (PCCS Books, 2nd edition 2022); co-editor of 'Formulation in psychology and psychotherapy: making sense of people's problems' (Routledge, 2nd edition 2013); and co-author of ‘A straight talking introduction to the Power Threat Meaning Framework’, 2020, PCCS Books) along with a number of other chapters and articles taking a critical perspective on mental health theory and practice. She is the former Programme Director of the Bristol Clinical Psychology Doctorate in the UK and has worked in Adult Mental Health settings for many years, most recently in a service in South Wales. She is Visiting Professor at London South Bank University, and Honorary Fellow of the BPS, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Takeaways

• The Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) offers an alternative to the diagnostic model of distress, focusing on narrative practice and understanding.

SummaryLucy Johnston discusses the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF), an alternative to the diagnostic model of distress. The PTMF aims to move away from labeling and medicating distress and instead focuses on narrative practice and understanding. It emphasizes the role of power and the links between personal distress and wider social, political, and economic contexts. The PTMF has received both positive and negative reactions, with some seeing it as radical and threatening existing power structures. Lucy discusses the challenges and criticisms she has faced and the importance of continuing the conversation and promoting alternative narratives.

KeywordsPower Threat Meaning Framework, diagnostic model, distress, narrative practice, power, social context, alternative narratives

Dr Lucy Johnstone is a consultant clinical psychologist, author of 'Users and abusers of psychiatry' (3rd edition Routledge 2021) and ‘A straight-talking guide to psychiatric diagnosis’ (PCCS Books, 2nd edition 2022); co-editor of 'Formulation in psychology and psychotherapy: making sense of people's problems' (Routledge, 2nd edition 2013); and co-author of ‘A straight talking introduction to the Power Threat Meaning Framework’, 2020, PCCS Books) along with a number of other chapters and articles taking a critical perspective on mental health theory and practice. She is the former Programme Director of the Bristol Clinical Psychology Doctorate in the UK and has worked in Adult Mental Health settings for many years, most recently in a service in South Wales. She is Visiting Professor at London South Bank University, and Honorary Fellow of the BPS, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Takeaways

• The Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) offers an alternative to the diagnostic model of distress, focusing on narrative practice and understanding.

Summary 2024 is a general election year in the UK and David and Naomi wanted to have a conversation about the criminal justice system because the topic receives so little attention elsewhere. However the topic is so wide and complex that we found that we could only begin and hope to return to the subject again. The conversation explores the ethical considerations around imprisonment and the need for more investment in the prison service. The speakers discuss their experiences working in prisons and the challenges they faced. They highlight the importance of addressing trauma and providing a supportive environment for rehabilitation. They also discuss the limitations and flaws of the current prison system, including the lack of resources and support for released prisoners. The conversation raises questions about the effectiveness and ethics of imprisonment as a form of punishment.

In this extraordinary conversation Ian Foxley, a retired army lieutenant colonel and founder of Parrhesia, shares his experience as a whistleblower in the Airbus corruption scandal. He discovered wrongdoing while working as a program director for an Airbus subsidiary in Saudi Arabia. He found irregularities in the budget, questionable projects, and secret payments to subcontractors. When he reported his findings to the MOD, he faced threats and had to escape the country. He later provided evidence to the MOD Fraud Squad and the Serious Fraud Office, leading to a criminal investigation into Airbus. Airbus was fined €3.6 billion, and GPT, the subsidiary, pleaded guilty to corruption. Ian Foxley discusses the aftermath of blowing the whistle on corruption in defense procurement, including the legal proceedings and trials that took place. He emphasizes the need to hold government departments accountable for their involvement in corruption and calls for transparency and personal accountability. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by whistleblowers, including the impact on their careers and personal lives. Foxley shares his own experiences and highlights the importance of a strong support network. He concludes by discussing the work of Parrhesia, an organization he founded to advocate for whistleblower protection and contribute to policy changes.

https://www.parrhesia.org.uk/

(Parrhesia is an Ancient Greek term meaning “to speak freely” implying not only freedom of speech, but the obligation to speak the truth for the common good, even at great personal risk.)

Keywordswhistleblower, Airbus, corruption, Saudi Arabia, budget, subcontractors, threats, escape, evidence, investigation, fine, guilty plea, whistleblowing, corruption, defense procurement, accountability, government departments, trials, support network, Parheesia

In this extraordinary conversation Ian Foxley, a retired army lieutenant colonel and founder of Parrhesia, shares his experience as a whistleblower in the Airbus corruption scandal. He discovered wrongdoing while working as a program director for an Airbus subsidiary in Saudi Arabia. He found irregularities in the budget, questionable projects, and secret payments to subcontractors. When he reported his findings to the MOD, he faced threats and had to escape the country. He later provided evidence to the MOD Fraud Squad and the Serious Fraud Office, leading to a criminal investigation into Airbus. Airbus was fined €3.6 billion, and GPT, the subsidiary, pleaded guilty to corruption. Ian Foxley discusses the aftermath of blowing the whistle on corruption in defense procurement, including the legal proceedings and trials that took place. He emphasizes the need to hold government departments accountable for their involvement in corruption and calls for transparency and personal accountability. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by whistleblowers, including the impact on their careers and personal lives. Foxley shares his own experiences and highlights the importance of a strong support network. He concludes by discussing the work of Parrhesia, an organization he founded to advocate for whistleblower protection and contribute to policy changes.

https://www.parrhesia.org.uk/

(Parrhesia is an Ancient Greek term meaning “to speak freely” implying not only freedom of speech, but the obligation to speak the truth for the common good, even at great personal risk.)

Keywordswhistleblower, Airbus, corruption, Saudi Arabia, budget, subcontractors, threats, escape, evidence, investigation, fine, guilty plea, whistleblowing, corruption, defense procurement, accountability, government departments, trials, support network, Parheesia