Life After Prison

This week we’re joined by someone whose story really shows that your past doesn’t have to define your future. Raushia Coles spent years in and out of prison, struggling with addiction, relationships, mental health and finding her place in the world.But becoming a mum became a turning point, and she went on to completely rebuild her life. Today, she is a counsellor, trauma specialist and advocate for women facing some of the same challenges she once faced herself. She’s passionate about changing the way we see people who’ve been through the criminal justice system, and about giving people the chance to change.Useful organisations:Advance – Support for women affected by the criminal justice system, domestic abuse, and trauma. They run women’s centres across London and help with housing, employment, and wellbeing. https://www.advancecharity.org.uk Women in Prison – Advocacy and support for women in the justice system. They focus on helping women rebuild their lives after release and campaign for reform. https://www.womeninprison.org.uk Refuge – The UK’s largest domestic abuse organisation offering safe accommodation, a 24-hour helpline, and online support. https://www.refuge.org.uk The Triangle Trust - Fund small and medium-sized organisations working within the criminal justice system. Focusing particularly on projects that support people with convictions — including women and young people — to reduce reoffending and improve rehabilitation outcomes. Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us. 💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok 📧 Email: [email protected] ✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF 🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Life After Prison, we hear from Nick whose life changed forever after the tragic loss of his identical twin brother. Years later, he chose to face one of the men responsible through restorative justice, seeking answers, understanding and a way forward. We explore grief, anger, forgiveness, and how he has carried his twin brothers memory while finding a sense of peace and purpose.Organisations: Common Ground Justice Project - The project aims to engage diverse voices to uncover shared values and develop a modern justice system that garners broad public support https://www.commongroundjustice.uk/ The Forgiveness Project - Dedicated to exploring forgiveness and reconciliation through the sharing of personal narratives from both victims and perpetrators of crime and violence. https://www.theforgivenessproject.com/ The Ben Kinsella Trust (London)– Works on preventing youth violence and supporting those at risk of gang involvement. Project Accountability – Founded by Molly Ellis and Ty Mitchell, this organization focuses on reducing recidivism and supporting ex-offenders and vulnerable youth through vocational training, employment opportunities, and rehabilitation programs. Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us. 💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok 📧 Email: [email protected] ✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF 🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode of Cellmate To CEO, Tony is joined by Abdul Bangura, founder and CEO of aviation business ALAC Group.Abdul first went to prison at 18 and served three separate sentences before being released for the last time in 2015. Determined to turn his life around, he started a healthy meal-prep business, Fresco Box, using an idea inspired by the prison kitchens. What began with a handful of customers and meals cooked in his mum's kitchen quickly grew into an award-winning business.But when the pandemic brought Fresco Box to an end, Abdul found himself starting again. With no experience in aviation, he took an idea he'd written down years earlier and began building what would become ALAC Group.Abdul talks to Tony about the importance of mentors, transferring skills from prison into business, dealing with grief and setbacks, and why earning money legitimately has given him a greater sense of achievement than anything he experienced in his previous life.He also discusses his latest venture, From the Wing to the Wing, which is helping people in prison develop confidence to pursue careers in aviation. Useful links: The Forward Trust: Enterprise coaching, business mentoring and support for people looking to start their own business. Switchback: Mentoring and practical support for young men leaving prison in London. New Futures Network: Helping people in prison access employment opportunities on release. ALAC Group: Abdul’s aviation business, delivering highly effective component supply chain solutions to transform Global Aviation Logistics.From the Wing to the Wing CIC: Creating structured, technical pathways for people with lived experience of the criminal justice system into careers in aviation.Abdul’s Life After Prison episode with Zak and Jules Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us. 💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok 📧 Email: [email protected] ✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF 🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Tony talks to Richard Brice. Richard is the founder and CEO of Clean Slate Solutions, an organisation helping people with convictions move into employment.Richard talks to Tony about how addiction took over his life, eventually leading to prison, and the role faith and recovery played in helping him rebuild.Richard also shares how the idea for Clean Slate Solutions began while he was still in prison, after seeing both the number of people preparing for release who wanted to work, and employers who were open to giving people a second chance. He talks about building the organisation from scratch, rebuilding trust in his personal life, and what he's learned about leadership along the way.Richard also reflects on the importance of staying clean and sober, and what it means to him now to be a reliable dad, son and husband.Useful organisations: Clean Slate Solutions - supports people with convictions into employment, while working with employers to create opportunities for people leaving prison.Rebelution - An organisation working to address some of the wider barriers people can face after prison, including resettlement and housing.Cocaine Anonymous UK - fellowship and peer support for people who want to stop using cocaine and other mind-altering substances. Narcotics Anonymous UK - peer-support meetings for people who want help with drug addiction..Alcoholics Anonymous - support for people who want to stop drinking. FRANK - confidential information and advice around drugs and getting help.Samaritans - providing free, confidential emotional support to anyone who is struggling or in distress, 24 hours a day.Unlock - practical information and support for people with convictions, particularly around disclosure, employment and rebuilding after a conviction.Nacro - support and advice around resettlement, criminal records, housing and employment after prison.Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us. 💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok 📧 Email: [email protected] ✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF 🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're sharing the live recording of our show at the 2026 London Podcast Festival. It was truly an incredible experience, we're so grateful for to our guests and all of you who attended! Joining us on the day was Lord Dr Michael Hastings, a member of the House of Lords, educator, business executive and holds who a key voice in the Criminal justice system. He is the founder of Men of Purpose, a community built around mentorship and creating positive futures. Alongside him were two men who have personally benefited from this amazing work: Corey White Sr and Karim Douglas.Organisations: Second Chance Partnership - Connects prison leavers directly with businesses to secure paid employment upon their release. By providing guaranteed jobs and ongoing mentorship, the initiative helps companies fill vacancies while reducing re-offending rates. Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us.💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok📧 Email: [email protected]✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're joined by Adrian, a man grew up with a real passion and talent for football, but his life took a very different direction after that opportunity was taken away. From football, to the streets, prison, and eventually finding his way back to the game he loved, Adrian's journey is one of setbacks, second chances and finding a way forward. Today he's using everything he's been through to help young people make different choices. Organisations: Step Out Stay Out - Deliver football coaching and mentoring inside prisons, including FA qualifications and preparation for employment.  Contact us:If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us.💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok📧 Email: [email protected]✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Lanre Babalola. Lanre is the founder and CEO of BUBIC - Bringing Unity Back Into the Community - an organisation supporting people affected by crime, offending, substance use and social exclusion.Lanre talks to Tony about growing up feeling different, being sent to Nigeria as a teenager, and his first experience of prison there before later spending years going in and out of prison in the UK.He shares how, after another period in prison, he reached a point where he knew something had to change. After returning to a drug service, Lanre became part of a small peer group of black men supporting each other away from drugs, violence and offending. That experience became the starting point for what would eventually become BUBIC.Lanre also talks about why lived experience and peer support are at the heart of BUBIC, from outreach into crack houses and a 24-hour support line to programmes helping people move towards recovery, training and employment.Looking to the future, he explains his ambition to create a clearer route for people leaving prison- from the prison gate into stable accommodation, support, training and eventually employment.https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lTHr_A-AqA1ir0-KUx3y6NN5YnBDZAyRUseful organisations: BUBIC - Bringing Unity Back Into the Community - peer-led support for people affected by substance use, offending and social exclusion, including outreach and recovery support.Forward Trust - providing drug and alcohol recovery, rehabilitation and resettlement support, including services for people in prison and after release.Cocaine Anonymous UK - fellowship and peer support for people who want to stop using cocaine and other mind-altering substances. Narcotics Anonymous UK - peer-support meetings for people who want help with drug addiction.Alcoholics Anonymous - support for people who want to stop drinking. FRANK - confidential information and advice around drugs and getting help.Samaritans - providing free, confidential emotional support to anyone who is struggling or in distress, 24 hours a day.Unlock - practical information and support for people with convictions, particularly around disclosure, employment and rebuilding after a conviction.Nacro - support and advice around resettlement, criminal records, housing and employment after prison.Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us. 💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok 📧 Email: [email protected] ✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF 🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Tony talks to Haidar Razzak, co-founder of Basement Gym + Studio, an independent gym business with sites across London.Haidar shares the journey that took him from prison to studying Mathematics at the University of Oxford and building successful businesses. He talks about losing his father at a young age, the circumstances that led to his offending, and the moment in prison that made him realise he needed to change direction.He also reflects on rediscovering education in prison, the barriers and rejection he faced after release, and his determination to keep moving forward. From selling ice creams after leaving prison, to setting up a transport service helping families visit loved ones at HMP Wayland, studying at Oxford University, and eventually launching Basement Gym. Haidar shares what he's learned about entrepreneurship, leadership and breaking seemingly impossible challenges down into manageable steps.Useful organisations: Prisoners' Education Trust - Supporting people in prison to access distance-learning courses and educational opportunities.The Longford Trust - Providing scholarships and mentoring to people with convictions who want to continue their education at university.The King's Trust - Supporting young people to develop skills and move into employment, education or enterprises The Open University - Offering flexible distance-learning courses and degrees, including opportunities for people studying while in prison.DWRM (Doing What Really Matters) - Supporting people with lived experience of the criminal justice system into education, employment and opportunities to build a positive future.Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us. 💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok 📧 Email: [email protected] ✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF 🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 lives. Organisations: A Life of Choices - A charity that uses lived experience to create programs that address the root causes of violence, support families affected by the criminal justice system, and help men forge healthier paths forward.Manhood From Within - Through extensive engagement with the criminal justice system, both personally and professionally, they've developed a program that addresses both the practical and emotional needs of men serving long sentences.Prison Advice and Care Trust — Supports prisoners and their families, including children with family visits, relationship support and resettlement.  Contact us:If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us.💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok📧 Email: [email protected]✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 and community gave her a new sense of purpose.She also reflects on becoming involved with Sophia Forum and eventually stepping into the role of CEO, as well as the stigma that still surrounds both HIV and having a criminal record. More than 20 years after leaving prison, Sophie shares what she's learned about resilience, leadership and the importance of seeing what's possible through other people. Sophia Forum - Promotes and advocates for the rights, health, welfare and dignity of women living with HIV, and works to ensure their voices are heard in the decisions that affect them.Narcotics Anonymous (NA) - Peer-led support and meetings for people for whom drugs have become a major problem.Positively UK - Provides peer-led support, advocacy and information for people living with HIV.Contact us: If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us. 💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok 📧 Email: [email protected] ✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF 🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.