The Secret Life of Prisons7 Jul 2025

Your questions answered | David Breakspear and Dr. Ruth Armstrong

We love receiving your questions, thoughts and comments. Email us at podcasts@prison.radio.

In this final episode before we take a summer break, we answer questions from listeners inside prison and listeners on the outside.

David Breakspear is a peer mentor, advocate and ambassador for people who have been to prison. He spent time behind bars between 1985 and 2017, and uses his lived experience to support organisations including ADHD Liberty, 5asideCHESS and the National Suicide Prevention Alliance.

Dr. Ruth Armstrong is a criminologist at the University of Liverpool and a consultant working to support change in government departments and third sector organisations. She’s worked in criminal justice both in the UK and globally for over 20 years, including playing a leading role in Prison Radio International, supporting the development of prison radio projects around the world.

Organisations, books and links referred to in this programme include:

Unlock

Howard League for Penal Reform

Prison Reform Trust

Philip Pettit on trust

Trusting the Untrustworthy

PACT

PSI 75/2011 (Residential Services)

Purposeful Prisons

We Are All Criminals

Fuck It

Presenters:

Phil Maguire – Chief Executive, Prison Radio Association

Paula Harriott – Chief Executive, Unlock

Producer: Andrew Wilkie

Assistant Producer: Faye Dunn

The Prison Radio Association is a charity that runs National Prison Radio, the world’s first national radio station for people serving prison sentences. We employ people in prison to develop their skills, find their best voices and help them discover ways to lead crime-free lives after release.

To make a donation please visit prison.radio/donate.

Registered Charity in England & Wales 1114760

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