Life After Prison

This week on Life After Prison is the first episode of our brand new mini series!

In this first episode, Jules speaks to Roland Karthaus. He’s an architect who’s looked a lot at prison design, and he’s interested in how the way prisons are built can either support rehabilitation or get in the way. She asks him about the role of rehabilitation in prison design, the cost of building new prisons versus investing in people, and what...

Today’s episode is a little different — it’s our wrap-up for the main series. Over the last few weeks, we’ve spoken to so many incredible people who’ve opened up about their lives, their time inside, and what happened next. We’ve heard stories of resilience, moments that really shook us, and insights that challenged how we think about the system. 

In this episode, we’re looking back at those conversations — what’s stayed wi...

In this episode, we explore what it’s really like coming out of prison and adjusting to life on the outside – especially for parents trying to reconnect with their children. Our guests, Faye and Toni, met while in prison and have supported each other ever since. They share their experiences of parenting after prison, navigating stigma and judgment, managing the challenges of life on tag, and how supportive friendships can make all...

What happens when both of your parents go to prison during your teenage years? Thousands of children experience this every year, but it’s something that’s rarely spoken about. In this episode, Natasha Harris shares her story of growing up with both parents in prison at 15 – the lack of communication, the stigma, and the lasting impact it had on her life. She also talks about why she’s now using her voice to raise awareness for chil...

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...