Life After Prison

Today's conversation is with a mother whose life changed in ways she could never have imagined. Her story takes us through unimaginable loss, grief, public judgement and the devastating impact of the criminal justice system on a family. But this isn't just a story about what happened, it's about what came after. Finding a way to keep going, turning pain into purpose, and using her own experience to support other families and young people. She's now doing incredible work helping people understand trauma, emotions, choices and the impact they can have on their li...

In this episode of Cellmate To CEO, Tony Supreme talks to Sophie Strachan, CEO of Sophia Forum, a charity promoting and advocating for the rights, health, welfare and dignity of women living with HIV. Sophie also works part-time as a sexual health adviser in the NHS.Sophie shares her journey from addiction and prison, to becoming a CEO and advocate for women living with HIV. She talks about receiving an HIV diagnosis shortly after arriving in prison, the peer support that helped her through some of the most difficult periods of her life, and how recovery...

Today we are joined by Naomi, and her journey is one of resilience, service and transformation. From becoming a mum at just 16 to serving 6 years in the military with tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, her life then took a turn that ultimately led to a prison sentence. We talk about life before prison, the realities of serving time whilst being a mother, and how these experiences have led her to create Omi Nai Wellness. A space where she now helps others heal through nervous system regulation, bodywork and holistic wellbeing.Organisations:  Omi Nai...

When Caprice went to prison for the first time at 44, she never imagined a poster on a prison wall would lead her to Ali, a coach whose belief in her would help reshape her future. Together, they share a story of resilience, recall, rebuilding and the importance of having someone who sees your potential, even when you can't see it yourself. Organisations: Her/their Mighty Pen: Life writing from women's prisons, featuring a foreword by award-winning broadcaster and poet Scout Tzofiya Bolton. A collection of memoir, poetry, letters, essays and short stories by wom...

While studying accountancy at university, Pratik became involved in drug dealing, believing it was a shortcut to success. After being convicted of conspiracy to supply drugs, he received a 2-year prison sentence, a period that changed the course of his life. Pratik has written about drug policy, taught financial literacy, and, post-release, has supported people who have left prison. Former COO and now programme lead at Breakthrough CIC, Pratik is now delivering AI courses in prison, helping others prepare for life beyond the gate. Today, we'll talk about identity, entrepreneurship, prison, second chances, an...

“Prison was the easiest thing I’ve ever done in my life.”Today we're joined by Lilly Lewis. The first time we met Lilly, she told us that compared to everything else she'd been though, her time in prison was the 'easiest thing she'd ever done.' Since the last time we met her, Lilly’s achieved so much. She’s continued rebuilding her life, become a passionate advocate for women with lived experience, influenced policy and systems change, and launched her own organisation supporting women after trauma and prison.We’re so h...

Tony Supreme talks to Caragh Arthur, founder of Arthur Employment Law, Senior Policy Lead at HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), Non-Exec director of the housing CIC Contix, University of Cambridge graduate, and a Churchill Fellow researching the experiences of women in prison.Caragh shares the remarkable journey that took her from childhood trauma, addiction and 16 prison sentences to becoming a business owner, civil servant and Churchill Fellow. She reflects on the people who believed in her when she couldn't believe in herself, the barriers of rebuilding life after prison, and how lived experience has shaped...

In this episode of Cellmate To CEO, Tony Supreme talks to Chris Sylvester.  Chris is the founder of Getting Clean, an organisation ‘reducing crime and grime’ by supporting people with addiction issues by making and selling soap. Chris also runs LERO Leeds, a lived experience recovery organisation, promoting inclusive recovery. Chris shares the remarkable journey that took him from heroin addiction which began at the age of 12, years of offending and multiple prison sentences, to building an award-winning social enterprise with purpose at its heart. He reflects on the people who help...

Tony Supreme is back with a brand new series of Cellmate to CEO. Tony is the CEO of Soul Surge Wellness & Soul Surge and has lived experience of the criminal justice system himself. In this inspirational series, he talks to other CEOs, leaders and changemakers about their transition from prison to leadership.In this episode, Tony talks to Carlotta Allum, founder of Stretch, a charity supporting people affected by prison, homelessness, addiction and social exclusion through creativity, digital skills and storytelling. Carlotta is also a qualified teacher, researcher, PhD student and recently elected Green Party councillor.<...

Tony Supreme is back with a brand new series of Cellmate to CEO. Tony is the CEO of Soul Surge Wellness & Soul Surge and has lived experience of the criminal justice system himself. In this inspirational series, he talks to CEOs, leaders and changemakers about their journey from prison to leadership.In this episode, Tony speaks to Gethin Jones, founder of Unlocking Potential, a training and consultancy organisation working with prisons, probation services and justice organisations across the UK and beyond. He's also leading The Cost of Justice, a campaign challenging public perceptions o...

Today’s guest on Life After Prison is Jordan Young. Growing up in East London, Jordan found himself chasing money from a young age, a path that eventually led to a prison sentence at just 20 years old.   Since then, he’s gone on to build successful businesses, work with major names in the music and film industries, and is passionate about helping others see that the skills they already have can be used to create a different future. Useful Organisations: Untapped - Combine fitness coaching with entrepreneurship training for disadvantaged...

Today on Life After Prison, Zak is joined by Rory Newton, host of Legacy Chats. Raised in Luton and shaped by early loss and instability, Rory found himself caught between two worlds — trying to move forward while still tied to his past. In his early twenties, that led him down a path he’d tried to avoid, resulting in a prison sentence for intent to supply Class A drugs. But this conversation isn’t about the crime — it’s about what came after. From prison to rebuilding, setbacks, fatherhood, and finding purpose, Rory...

This week on Life After Prison, Jules is joined by Tim Haigh.Growing up around poverty, instability and trauma, he found himself caught up in crime from a young age. As a teenager, he was sentenced to nearly ten years in prison, and after his release became trapped in a cycle of addiction, offending and destructive choices that affected every part of his life. He lost friends, spent years battling heroin addiction, and reached a point where he knew something had to change. Instead of becoming another statistic, he made the dec...

Today’s guest has a story like no other. Growing up in the 70s, facing racism and rejection, he soon became involved in organised crime and serving years inside.  After decades trapped in a cycle of crime and prison, everything changed during his final sentence, when a theatre company cast him in a production that would completely transform the direction of his life.   Now 20 years on, he’s remained crime free, using creativity, storytelling, and lived experience to inspire others and encourage change both inside and outside the prison system. Orgins...

On this episode of Life After Prison, we explore a story that doesn’t follow a straight line — because real change rarely does. Donell, a successful contractor & former prisoner, shares the highs, setbacks, and hard truths of life after release, while Jeffrey, a prison coach, reflects on the turning point that changed his own path and led him to work with young people in custody. The two met at Cookham Wood, where honest, in-depth coaching built a powerful connection — one that was tested by setbacks, including a return to prison and homelessness. They r...

Today’s guest is the definition of transformation. At the age of 11 he was groomed into county lines, by 12 he was regularly carrying firearms and by 15 he’d already seen the inside of a prison cell. The following years were a mix of serving time as a teenager, along with physical and mental trauma.Once labelled a criminal, he’s now recognised as a survivor of child criminal exploitation and modern slavery, becoming one of the voices leading the change. You can find him speaking in Parliament, contributing at the United Nations, and influencing national policy on exp...

Today on Life After Prison, we’re joined by filmmaker Daisy-May Hudson.  In 2013, Daisy-May was living in a hostel with her mum and sister — a reality she didn’t fully recognise as homelessness at the time.  At that young age she decided to pick up a camera and document it, a decision that would change everything. Her story went viral, leading to her documentary Halfway, which she crowdfunded and took to cinemas.  Now a BAFTA Breakthrough talent, her work — including feature film Lollipop — focuses on storytelling, healing, and lived experience, particularly around pr...

A few series back we looked at some of the comments that people had left on our social media. We responded to comments tackling the stigma of having been to prison and cleared up a few myths about what life is really like inside. Those episodes were interesting to say the least! Today we’re going for it again, responding to the comments from our conversations with a few guests last series.This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube.Useful Organisations Refuge (National...

This week's guests is someone whose football journey has been anything but ordinary. From coming through the ranks at Arsenal FC, one of the most prestigious academies in the country—to playing across England and abroad, our guest today has built a career that many young players dream of. Known for his strength, technical ability, and versatility on the pitch, he was once seen as one of the brightest prospects of his generation. Representing England at youth level and sharing dressing rooms with some of the game’s biggest names. However, behind the headlines and highlights, there’s a deeper story...

At the end of last year the Labour government introduced the Courts and Tribunals Bill. In this bill, the government are proposing to reduce the use of juries and have some criminal cases decided by a judge alone. Some very big changes. This week we unpack key parts of this bill, and look at the implications it will have IF it is passed. The Lammy Review - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/lammy-reviewPrison Reform Trust - Works to create a fairer and more effective criminal justice system, focusing on improving conditions in prisons...