Change is possible
I have spoken many times, and on a variety of platforms, about my role as a Shannon Trust mentor. When I look back on my time as a mentor, which I do regularly, I always have a little reflective smile to myself. Not just because of the wonderful feelings you get from giving back but … Continue reading Reading? Why?
Those days are passed now And in the past they must remain But we can still rise now And be the nation again So, why is this half English, half Welsh former prisoner opening a blog with lines from the Scottish Anthem ‘O flower of Scotland’? Well, first I’d like to introduce a company by … Continue reading Basic to Boardroom
I am not writing this to attract praise, far from it. I have that in abundance from those I choose to have around me. My inner circle so to speak. My reason for writing this and anything else I pen is more about highlighting #WhatCanBe rather than #LookAtMe. I suppose in a way it is … Continue reading A Private Education
Along with "if you can't do the time don't do the crime", the term "prison is like a holiday camp" are two phrases that if I'm honest used to be like a red rag to a bull and with steam emanating from my ears I'd violently type my retort. Nowadays though, I just snort my … Continue reading Book NOW!!!!!!
Bit of a long blog I'm afraid, however, I'd like to think the end justifies the means. I've mentioned on a number of occasions about how one of my coping mechanisms when things in the brain department need a tidy up is to be creative. I pick up a pen and paper and whatever comes … Continue reading Where’s it all heading?
When we reflect, look back at history it provides us with an opportunity to not only see where things went wrong and learn from the mistakes but to also see what went right and to learn from the lessons. A part of HMP Brixton's history provides us with evidence of #whatcanbe when the local community … Continue reading It takes a village!
The image above is a screenshot of the slide I used during my TEDx talk at The Open University in November last year. Who in their right mind could turn around and say that it looks like an environment conducive to rehabilitation? That's because it isn't, nor has it ever been or ever will be. … Continue reading Prison cell-ebration
The image below is a post I put up earlier today. My comment doesn't really explain the post fully and there is so much more to it, so I thought I would write a blog and share my journey that I've been on with The Open University. I had convinced myself during the off-season that … Continue reading Never too late
I don't typically publish two blogs in one day but sometimes you just have to allow the writing to dictate to you with no changes, ironic considering this blog is about change, had I saved this for another time I'd, with another hint at my past, make changes I shouldn't have. I'm sure that makes … Continue reading Spincarceration!
My Interview with Chris I had the good fortune of interviewing Chris Lambrianou for my first podcast, which discusses issues relating to our criminal justice system. We chat about his time in prison, reform, mental health and lots of other subjects. The link above is to the podcast, however, before you listen here is a brief … Continue reading Beware the ‘Ides of March’
Journey of a reformed man 