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

In this conversation, David Breakspear, a former prisoner and now a mentor and advocate for criminal justice reform, shares his insights and experiences with David and Naomi. David emphasizes the importance of listening and asking the right questions when working with individuals who have been through the criminal justice system. He believes that by shifting the focus from "what's wrong with you" to "what's happened to you," we can help people overcome their resentment and find a better path in life. David also discusses his involvement with organizations like Revolving Doors and Shannon Trust, where he uses his lived experience to support others. He highlights the power of language and the need for the system to use the right kind of language when addressing individuals who have been in prison. The conversation touches on the disruptive nature of custodial sentences and the challenges faced by individuals reintegrating into society. David shares his journey of turning his negative experiences into something purposeful and meaningful. He also talks about his involvement with Reconnect, a program that aims to support individuals transitioning from prison to the community. Throughout the conversation, David emphasizes the importance of speaking truth to power and advocating for change in the criminal justice system. He discusses the impact of neurodiversity and the need for support and understanding for individuals with diverse needs in prison. Overall, the conversation provides a powerful and thought-provoking perspective on the criminal justice system and the importance of empathy, understanding, and support in helping individuals overcome their past and build a better future.

Main Points

1. Living in probation hostels or approved premises can be challenging due to the mix of residents with different criminal backgrounds and the restrictions placed on individuals. It can feel like being stuck in a confined space where all daily activities take place.

2. The age of criminal responsibility in Europe is the lowest at 10 years old, and children are often criminalized too young. The focus should be on addressing the underlying needs of young people, particularly in the school-to-prison pipeline and school exclusions.

3. Mentoring and support play a crucial role in helping individuals overcome resentment and navigate through difficult situations. Listening and asking the right questions can help individuals see their potential and find alternative paths.

4. The criminal justice system should prioritize meeting the health needs of individuals, regardless of their offenses. Providing support and addressing unmet needs can reduce the likelihood of reoffending.

5. Personal experiences and the support of organizations like ReConnect have shown the importance of addressing health needs and providing opportunities for individuals to turn their lives around. Early intervention and support can prevent individuals from getting caught in the cycle of the criminal justice system.

In this conversation, David Breakspear, a former prisoner and now a mentor and advocate for criminal justice reform, shares his insights and experiences with David and Naomi. David emphasizes the importance of listening and asking the right questions when working with individuals who have been through the criminal justice system. He believes that by shifting the focus from "what's wrong with you" to "what's happened to you," we can help people overcome their resentment and find a better path in life. David also discusses his involvement with organizations like Revolving Doors and Shannon Trust, where he uses his lived experience to support others. He highlights the power of language and the need for the system to use the right kind of language when addressing individuals who have been in prison. The conversation touches on the disruptive nature of custodial sentences and the challenges faced by individuals reintegrating into society. David shares his journey of turning his negative experiences into something purposeful and meaningful. He also talks about his involvement with Reconnect, a program that aims to support individuals transitioning from prison to the community. Throughout the conversation, David emphasizes the importance of speaking truth to power and advocating for change in the criminal justice system. He discusses the impact of neurodiversity and the need for support and understanding for individuals with diverse needs in prison. Overall, the conversation provides a powerful and thought-provoking perspective on the criminal justice system and the importance of empathy, understanding, and support in helping individuals overcome their past and build a better future.

Main Points

1. Living in probation hostels or approved premises can be challenging due to the mix of residents with different criminal backgrounds and the restrictions placed on individuals. It can feel like being stuck in a confined space where all daily activities take place.

2. The age of criminal responsibility in Europe is the lowest at 10 years old, and children are often criminalized too young. The focus should be on addressing the underlying needs of young people, particularly in the school-to-prison pipeline and school exclusions.

3. Mentoring and support play a crucial role in helping individuals overcome resentment and navigate through difficult situations. Listening and asking the right questions can help individuals see their potential and find alternative paths.

4. The criminal justice system should prioritize meeting the health needs of individuals, regardless of their offenses. Providing support and addressing unmet needs can reduce the likelihood of reoffending.

5. Personal experiences and the support of organizations like ReConnect have shown the importance of addressing health needs and providing opportunities for individuals to turn their lives around. Early intervention and support can prevent individuals from getting caught in the cycle of the criminal justice system.

In this episode of the Locked Up Living podcast,we interview Dr. Greg Clarke, a clinical psychologist with a diverse background in various roles. Dr. Clarke has worked as a clinical lead for a chronic pain service, a consultant psychologist, and head of psychology within a low secure rehab service. He has also worked as a lead clinical performance psychologist at a Premier League football club. During the conversation, Dr. Clarke discusses his experiences working in the field of clinical psychology and sports psychology. He shares insights into the challenges and rewards of working in these areas, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balance between personal and professional life. Dr. Clarke also discusses the temporary nature of the sports industry and the impact it can have on individuals' mental health. He emphasizes the significance of acceptance and the ability to overcome psychological pain, drawing on his experiences working with patients in pain services. Dr. Clarke also touches on the role of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) in his practice. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into the field of clinical psychology and the intersection of psychology and sports. Dr. Clarke's experiences shed light on the challenges and rewards of working in these areas and the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to life and work.

In this episode we interview Dr. Greg Clarke, a clinical psychologist with a diverse background in various roles. Dr. Clarke has worked as a clinical lead for a chronic pain service, a consultant psychologist, and head of psychology within a low secure rehab service. He has also worked as a lead clinical performance psychologist at a Premier League football club. During the conversation, Dr. Clarke discusses his experiences working in the field of clinical psychology and sports psychology. He shares insights into the challenges and rewards of working in these areas, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balance between personal and professional life. Dr. Clarke also discusses the temporary nature of the sports industry and the impact it can have on individuals' mental health. He emphasizes the significance of acceptance and the ability to overcome psychological pain, drawing on his experiences working with patients in pain services. Dr. Clarke also touches on the role of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) in his practice. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights into the field of clinical psychology and the intersection of psychology and sports. Dr. Clarke's experiences shed light on the challenges and rewards of working in these areas and the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to life and work.

In this episode of the Locked Up Living podcast, hosts Naomi and David  delve into an engaging dialogue with professional organisational consultant and executive coach, Drew. They touch upon an array of topics from the nuances of team dynamics in institutional settings, diverse career paths, to the remarkable influence of psychotherapy. The conversation also explores the challenges of voicing concerns within the workplace.

Drew; The Moral Injury of Holding Terrifying Information

In this episode of the Locked Up Living podcast, hosts Naomi and David  delve into an engaging dialogue with professional organisational consultant and executive coach, Drew. They touch upon an array of topics from the nuances of team dynamics in institutional settings, diverse career paths, to the remarkable influence of psychotherapy. The conversation also explores the challenges of voicing concerns within the workplace.

The episode traces Drew's unique journey from IT to psychotherapy, beginning from his early interest in people and problem-solving. Drew's experiences offer valuable insights into tackling professional issues while nurturing a passion for connecting with people. The episode further explores Drew's insights gained from transactional analysis and life scripts, highlighting the potential of personal growth via self-exploration and professional learning.

The narrative captures Drew's shift from the challenging sphere of financial services to psychotherapy, ignited by an alarming incident at his workplace. A stark representation of workplace malpractice and the bravery required to stand up against them, Drew’s story stresses the importance of confronting such wrongdoings. The episode also delves into the intensely personal fallout of such experiences, including confusion, betrayal, and moral injury.

However, the conversation moves beyond distress to reflect on resilience in the face of adversity. It emphasizes the need for safe and open dialogues in the face of injustice, with a crucial take-away: those in similar situations are not alone.

The exchange explores the intricacies of organizational culture, discussing minor aggressions and a culture of silence that may lead to escalation of serious incidents. Drew challenges the widespread notion of whistleblowers  as disruptors, viewing them instead as responsible individuals illuminating issues in the workplace.(And he does not frame himself as one, rather he sees himself as someone who specialises in the nature authentic psychological safety and recognises the importance of disclosure in organisations.)

We end with an exploration of ‘physis’ –or our energy presence in the world– Drew captures the essence of self-care, purposeful expression and healthy relationships. The discourse advocates for transformative cultural shifts in organizations towards transparency, courage, and conscious relational dynamics, reinforcing the role of voices and dialogues in these environments.

We were captivated by the depth and richness of Jason's research. His passion for the subject matter was evident, and it shone through in his detailed responses in this podcast.

Jason, discusses his research on the experiences of forensic psychologists working in prisons. He emphasizes the importance of humanizing the individuals in the prison system and understanding their vulnerability and humanness.  He mentions the fragmentation of services in prisons and the need to return to more therapeutic practices that were lost in the 1990s.

Jason initially faced challenges in gaining access to conduct his research on risk assessment models in prisons. - He discusses the diffusing of responsibility and the opaque system of bureaucracy within the prison system. 

Jason talks about the need for forensic psychologists to be aware of their power and the effects it has on individuals.

He mentions the existence of a whisper network among women working in prisons to protect themselves from sexism and misogyny. Jason highlights the hidden power dynamics within the prison system and the impact of decisions made by forensic psychologists.

He expresses his desire for changes in the prison system, including more awareness of power dynamics, better support for forensic psychologists, and the importance of conducting research that may challenge existing practices.  Jason discusses the challenges of maintaining optimism and avoiding cynicism in his work, mentioning the importance of self-care and maintaining distance from the emotional aspects of the research. - He reflects on the benefits of having in-depth conversations with participants and understanding their perspectives, even if they may not align with his own.

We were captivated by the depth and richness of Jason's research. His passion for the subject matter was evident, and it shone through in his detailed responses in this podcast.

Jason, discusses his research on the experiences of forensic psychologists working in prisons. He emphasizes the importance of humanizing the individuals in the prison system and understanding their vulnerability and humanness.  He mentions the fragmentation of services in prisons and the need to return to more therapeutic practices that were lost in the 1990s.

Jason initially faced challenges in gaining access to conduct his research on risk assessment models in prisons. - He discusses the diffusing of responsibility and the opaque system of bureaucracy within the prison system. 

Jason talks about the need for forensic psychologists to be aware of their power and the effects it has on individuals.

He mentions the existence of a whisper network among women working in prisons to protect themselves from sexism and misogyny. Jason highlights the hidden power dynamics within the prison system and the impact of decisions made by forensic psychologists.

He expresses his desire for changes in the prison system, including more awareness of power dynamics, better support for forensic psychologists, and the importance of conducting research that may challenge existing practices.  Jason discusses the challenges of maintaining optimism and avoiding cynicism in his work, mentioning the importance of self-care and maintaining distance from the emotional aspects of the research. - He reflects on the benefits of having in-depth conversations with participants and understanding their perspectives, even if they may not align with his own.

Nick O'Sullivan, is the Co-founder and MD of Mojave Training, a leadership and management training business. https://www.mojavetraining.co.uk/

Nick spent 13 years in the Marines, including four years in the special forces. 

Specialising as an information systems officer, his military career alternated between technical support and operational roles.  In 2015 he designed and delivered a large scale, multi-national training event for which he was awarded an MBE for his services to Defence.  But his career was certainly not all high points, and he faced a number of challenging experiences to get there, from a couple of near-death experiences to toxic leadership.

Nick emphasizes the importance of moral courage in leadership and personal development. He believes in looking inwardly and being honest about strengths and weaknesses.

Nick discusses the importance of belonging and being part of a team in the military. He highlights the need for leaders to lead by example and practice what they preach. Nick mentions the power of small interactions and gestures in leadership. He encourages finding opportunities in every situation, even in difficult times.

Nick shares his experience of combat deployments in Afghanistan.  He talks about the mindset and positive attitude required in challenging situations.

Nick now works with small and medium enterprises, providing leadership and management support.

In this podcast conversation, Naomi and David speak with Kaigan Carrie, the host of the Evolving Prisons podcast and a PhD researcher studying the relationship between prison officer culture and well-being. Kaigan explains that her podcast aims to share the stories of prison officers, governors, and ex-prisoners to shed light on the realities of life in prison and promote rehabilitation.

They discuss the importance of focusing on the nuances of the prison experience rather than glamorizing crime, as many true crime podcasts tend to do. Kaigan emphasizes the need for society to understand the work that prison officers do and the challenges they face. She believes that prison officers should have a voice and wants to be a platform for them to share their experiences.

Kaigan also highlights the differences in training between countries, specifically mentioning the lack of substance misuse training for prison officers in Scotland compared to Norway. She believes that proper training is crucial for addressing issues like drug use in prisons.

The conversation then shifts to Kaigan's passion for well-being and her desire to encourage people to create lives that truly fulfill them. She shares her core values, which include connection, health, freedom, and growth. Kaigan emphasizes the importance of addressing mental health and dealing with the things that are going on in one's head to find true happiness.

Lastly, Kaigan discusses her collaboration with Rob Hosking on a magazine called The Rise of Happiness, which focuses on well-being and provides expert tips and research on various aspects of health.

Overall, the conversation highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of prison life, the importance of proper training for prison officers, and the significance of prioritizing well-being in society.

https://www.evolvingprisons.com/

https://riseofhappiness.com/about/