Life After Prison

This week on Life After Prison, we speak with Dr Kenny Imafidon – entrepreneur, author, and criminal justice advocate from Peckham, London. At 18, Kenny was on remand facing joint enterprise charges and became the first person in the UK to complete A-levels in prison. After being acquitted, he wrote the influential Kenny Report and co-founded ClearView Research to amplify unheard voices. He is also the author of That Peckham Boy an...

You might remember today’s guest from way back in Series 1 – back then, he shared how music and therapy helped him rebuild his life after prison and launch a youth music charity. Since then, so much has changed. Anthony Olanipekun (aka Tony Supreme), stepped back from being a CEO after hitting burnout, focused on his mental health and sobriety, got married, and built new businesses — including Soul Surge Wellness, supporting young ...

Today’s guest is Isaiah James – also known as Resilient Lion. He spent years in and out of prison, starting from the age of 15, and was deep in gang life — thinking that was the only path available to him. But during his last sentence, something shifted. He found faith, got serious about fitness, and started focusing on self-development to change his life. Since coming out, he’s launched Freedom Through Fitness, spoken and done wor...

Today on Life After Prison, we’ve got Margs, Beanos, and Loons from the No Behaviour podcast joining us. These three keep it real with honest, no-filter chats about life on the streets of London — and they’ve all been to prison themselves. It’s actually the most guests we’ve ever had in the studio at once, so it's gonna be a lot of energy! 

This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube...

This week on Life After Prison, we are joined by Lisa Newman – an addiction recovery coach and founder of Recalibrate Recovery Services. Drawing on her own lived experience of addiction, prison, and recovery, Lisa now supports others through one-to-one coaching, sober companionship, breathwork, and holistic wellbeing practices. She blends Eastern and Western approaches to help people rebuild their lives, and she’s passionate about ...

This week in the Life After Prison studio Zak & Jules are joined by Frankie Stedman. Frankie was involved in a major drug conspiracy that led to a nine-year sentence—but since coming out, he’s turned things around. He now runs his own scaffolding business and goes into schools to share his story and help young people make better choices. 

Frank is also incredibly walking 200 MILES, from our HMP Styal HQ to our HMP Brixt...

This week on the Life After Prison couch, Zak & Jules are joined by Jacob Dunne. At 19, Jacob was sentenced to prison for manslaughter after a one-punch attack that took a man’s life. What followed is a remarkable story of transformation. After meeting the parents of his victim through restorative justice, Jacob went on to earn a first-class honours degree in criminology and has since worked across education, health, criminal j...

Life After Prison will be back with you soon but while we are finalising series 9 in the studio, we thought that we'd share some episodes of another podcast here. It’s called Money Mondays and is made by our colleagues at the Prison Radio Association.

Going for a job interview can be a nerve-wracking experience at the best of times, but what about if you have a criminal record to contend with too?

On this episode Zak & Em...

Life After Prison will be back with you soon but while we are finalising series 9 in the studio, we thought that we'd share some episodes of another podcast here. It’s called Money Mondays and is made by our colleagues at the Prison Radio Association.

In this episode Zak & Emma are looking at CVs - What they are, why they are useful and how to create an effective one. It can be daunting putting a CV together, particularly if...

In this episode Jules chats to another Jules (not confusing at all!), who is very close to becoming a qualified Solicitor. Jules is planning on supporting and being an advocate for people going through the criminal justice system. Having served a community order herself, Jules has experience with the CJS and knows the impact having a criminal record can have on your career and on your self-worth. Jules also talks about her difficul...

On this episode of Life After Prison, Zak & Jules sit down with Jumpin Jack Frost, one of the UK’s most iconic jungle and drum & bass DJs. From growing up in Brixton to shaping the UK rave scene, Frost shares his journey through music, life’s challenges, and personal growth. We talk about his legendary tracks, the evolution of UK electronic music, and the lessons he’s learned along the way – including the importance of ment...

In this episode Jules speaks to sisters, Kemi and Tasha, who founded the organisation Reformed Development, after experiencing four years of rejection and discrimination after coming out of prison. They realised the only way forward was to be the change themselves, and they now work tirelessly helping other people who have been to prison, with their holistic and nurturing approach to rehabilitation. 

The full version of t...

This week on Life After Prison, Zak & Jules discuss the final report on the Sentencing Review that was released last month. They delve into topics surrounding early release, £700 million investment into probation services and community-based sentencing.

This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. 

Useful organisations:

Kate Fraser episode discussing Women's prisons - https...

This week Jules talks to Kate, who works for NHS England as the Regional Head of Health and Justice in the East of England. For 11 years, Kate struggled with a heroin addiction. Kate now holds keys to several prisons, and was even the prison substance misuse commissioner in the prison where she once spent time inside. Kate talks to Jules about the incredible work she does helping people, her career progression, and how she mana...

This week in the Life After Prison studio Zak & Jules are joined by Tuan, co-founder of Gymbusy. Before launching his fitness brand, Tuan was on the roads and ended up serving two prison sentences. But after his release, he found a new path—building discipline, strength, and purpose through fitness. Teaming up with his cousin, he co-founded Gymbusy, a brand that not only transformed his life but is now inspiring others to do th...

In this episode, Jules chats with Julia. Released from prison 10 years ago, Julia started working in the criminal justice system, working her way up into management positions, but she found that what was once part of her healing journey, was becoming part of her trauma. Julia decided to make a change, and as somebody known as having a permanent tan, she’s living her best life running her own tanning and beauty salon. 

Use...

This week on the Life After Prison couch. Zak & Jules are joined by Kevin Devonport. An international award-winning self-taught artist, whose journey started from a council estate in Leeds. Kevin served 24 years inside, where he overcame addiction and taught himself to paint, which has lead to his work being featured across the UK and Europe in multiple prominent exhibitions.

This podcast is also available as a video – ...

This week Jules speaks to Pri, whose negative relationship with alcohol lead to multiple convictions and stints in prison. Unwavering support from the charity ID Essence, a probation officer willing to go the extra mile to help support her with binge drinking, and being fitted with an alcohol tag, helped Pri get to the place where she is today. She’s now working for ID Essence, supporting women coming out of prison, and prefers a t...

This week on the Life After Prison Podcast Zak and Jules respond to some social media comments again, this time with the aim to dispel some myths surrounding prison. These comments are from a video of previous guest Nabil Abdul Rashid recalling his first moments being in prison. 

This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. 

Useful Organisations

Prison Reform Trust ...