All Things Conflict

Appologies for the guests internet connection!

In this deeply moving episode of All Things Conflict - Justice Redesigned, Maria Arpa sits down with Andrew Morris, an advocate and survivor of the Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence. Described as one of the most significant human rights stains on the UK justice system, the IPP sentence has left thousands of individuals in a state of "legal limbo" trapped in prison indefinitely with no set release date.

Andrew shares his firsthand account of the psychological "torture" inherent in indeterminate sentencing, where hope is systematically stripped away and replaced by a cycle of despair and high-stakes recall. We explore the staggering statistics of the 2,700+ people still caught in this system, the tragic rates of self-harm and suicide, and the systemic failure of "abolition without retrospection." This is a conversation about the desperate need for Healing Justice and the human faces behind the forgotten statistics.

Key Takeaways


The Definition of "Indeterminate": Unlike standard sentences, an IPP sentence has a minimum "tariff" but no maximum end date. Once the tariff expires, the prisoner is not released until they can prove to a Parole Board they are no longer a risk - a test that is notoriously difficult to pass.


The Psychological "Torture": Andrew describes the mental health impact of not having a release date. Without a "finish line," the brain enters a constant state of fight-or-flight, leading to catastrophic levels of self-harm and hopelessness within the IPP population.


Abolition Without Retrospection: While the IPP sentence was abolished in 2012 because it was deemed unjust, the law was not made retrospective. This left thousands of people serving a sentence that the government admitted should never have existed.


The "Recall" Trap: Even after release, IPP prisoners are on license for at least 10 years (previously for life). A minor technicality or a single mistake can lead to an immediate return to prison with no clear path back out.


The Suicide Crisis: The episode highlights the harrowing reality that the IPP population has some of the highest rates of suicide and self-harm in the entire prison estate, driven by the lack of a "light at the end of the tunnel."


Healing Justice vs. Punitive Justice: Andrew argues for a shift toward "Healing Justice"—a system that prioritises rehabilitation, emotional intelligence, and empathy over bureaucratic box-ticking and endless punishment.


The Role of Lived Experience: Why it is essential for survivors like Andrew to lead the conversation on reform, as they understand the visceral reality of the system in a way policymakers cannot.

Social Links
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.peacefulsolutions.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.workplacehuddle.com⁠

Andrew Morris
https://howardleague.org/andrew-morris/
https://www.instagram.com/thehowardleague/

In this riveting episode of All Things Conflict - Justice Redesigned, Maria welcomes Andrew Pritchard, a man who lived an extraordinary life as a high-level "architect" of global supply lines and criminal empires. After a spectacular collapse that led to a 15-year sentence in some of Britain’s toughest high-security prisons, Andrew didn't just serve time—he studied the system.

Andrew shares his journey from the streets of North London to the high-security wings of Belmarsh and Whitemoor. He discusses the powerful moment of remorse that changed his trajectory and how he utilised his entrepreneurial skills to reduce prison violence by 97%. This conversation explores the "Hindsight" curriculum, the reality of "Joint Enterprise" laws, and a radical vision for a self-sustaining, non-profit prison system.

Key Takeaways


The Reality of Remorse: Andrew distinguishes between "feeling sorry for yourself" because of a long sentence and true remorse, which comes from finally recognising the destructive impact of one's actions on thousands of victims.


The Postcode Trap: A tragic look at how young "enemies" in prison often discover they share deep family connections but remain locked in violent conflicts over postcodes they don't even own.

Joint Enterprise & Legal Pitfalls: Andrew critiques how the legal system and unscrupulous law firms use "Joint Enterprise" to secure easy convictions, often landing young people 30-year sentences for crimes they didn't personally commit.


The 97% Success Rate: While in Belmarsh, Andrew and other senior prisoners created a mediation program that utilised "spotters" to identify gang members at reception, successfully resolving nearly all internal conflicts.


The "Hindsight" Curriculum: A proposal to replace useless prison courses (like "money management" for drug smugglers) with entrepreneurial training that applies a criminal's existing skills to legitimate, low-risk business models.


Maslow’s Hierarchy in Prison: Understanding that a prisoner’s focus shifts from survival to relationships and eventually to a desire for recognition and legacy as they age.


The Non-Profit Prison Model: A radical idea to replace for-profit private prisons with self-sustaining communities where inmates run businesses to pay for their own keep, creating a zero-cost system for taxpayers.


A Message of Hope: Andrew’s life proves that even from a "rock bottom" situation, it is possible to rise, change, and leave a positive legacy for the next generation.

Andrew Pritchard

Andrew's Book - Empire of Dirt

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Empire-Dirt-Identity-Corruption-Redemption/dp/1919372601

Andrews Website

www.apfoundation.org.uk

Social Links

⁠⁠⁠⁠www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠www.peacefulsolutions.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠www.workplacehuddle.com

This podcast is distributed by Disruptive Media

In this episode of Justice Redesigned, host Maria sits down with Kristyna Hawkett, founder of the Minus One Club and a dedicated divorce and separation coach. Kristyna describes the experience of divorce not as a journey, but as an "emotional earthquake" that leaves families scrambling to repair structural damage while facing ongoing aftershocks.

We dive deep into the staggering reality of the family court system, where over 14,000 new applications are filed quarterly, affecting more than 20,000 children every three months. Kristyna explains how "legalese" and the adversarial nature of the justice system can strip parents of their confidence, leaving them feeling "incapable" and "scared". This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to navigate separation with humanity, protect their children from systemic trauma, and avoid the devastating financial and emotional costs of a high-conflict court battle.

Key Takeaways


The Myth of the "Winning" Parent: In the world of divorce, there are no winners; the biggest losers are almost always the children.


The Emotional Earthquake: Divorce isn't just a legal process; it is a traumatic event that affects the entire family dynamic, including grandparents, aunts, and uncles.


The Dangers of "Legalese": Entering the justice system introduces a confusing language (jargon) that can make parents feel vulnerable and reduce their confidence in decision-making.


The Judge’s Perspective: Contrary to popular belief, family court judges have very little time (often under 40 minutes) to review cases and have low tolerance for co-parent "squabbling".


Systemic Overload: Every three months, under 2,300 Cafcass workers are tasked with interviewing and reporting on the lives of over 20,000 children.


The Financial Toll: High-conflict court battles can lead to families losing up to half the value of their home in legal fees over just a couple of years.


A Radical Proposal: Christina advocates for an "in-between stage" after filing an application but before seeing a judge, designed to divert families toward resolving their own issues and protecting children from social care intervention.

SOCIAL LINKS

⁠⁠⁠⁠www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠www.peacefulsolutions.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠www.workplacehuddle.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kristyna Links

https://www.minusone.club/

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kristyna-hawkett8

HOST BIO

Maria founded the Centre for Peaceful Solutions in response to the fatal shooting of a 7 year old in her neighbourhood. She developed a model of conflict resolution for violent crime using her brainchild, the Dialogue Road Map (DRM).  

Over 30 years she has mediated everything from threat to life gang disputes to high stakes business deals gone wrong, Maria empowers people to resolve conflict without reliance on experts. So she trains violent prisoners to be facilitators, leaders to be effective communicators, teenagers to be peer mediators and neighbours to be tenant listeners within their respective communities.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode of Justice Redesigned, host Maria Alper sits down with Lukasz Konieczka, the founder and CEO of Mosaic, a charity supporting LGBT+ young people. Lukasz, an expert on intersectionality and social justice, discusses his "Belonging Framework" and how it serves as a pragmatic tool for fostering inclusion across both the non-profit and corporate sectors.

The conversation dives deep into the systemic issues plaguing modern society, from the "domination culture" that fuels transphobia and hate crimes to a piercing critique of how capitalism necessitates exploitation. Lukasz also shares a radical vision for the future of the penal system, arguing for a shift toward the "Dutch model" of prisons where dignity and humanity are restored to those in care.


Key Takeaways

The Belonging Framework: Originally designed for LGBT+ youth, this framework identifies specific behaviors that contribute to a person feeling they truly belong within an organization.


The "Canary in the Mine": Trans women are often the first to be attacked in a regressing society; Lukasz notes that when oppression against one group increases, hate crimes across other categories typically rise as well.


Agency and Longevity: Providing individuals with even small choices—a sense of agency—is scientifically linked to increased well-being and life expectancy, particularly in controlled environments like nursing homes or schools.


Capitalism as Injustice: Lukasz argues that capitalism inherently functions through the "theft" of labor and natural resources, prioritizing individualism and profit over sustainable social solutions.


The Dutch Prison Model: A plea to move away from dehumanizing, high-security environments in favor of simulated "outside world" environments that treat residents with dignity, privacy, and humanity.


Intersectionality in Care: Effective support requires challenging internal biases (such as racism or sexism) even within marginalized communities to ensure young people become part of the solution rather than the problem.

SOCIAL LINKS

⁠⁠⁠www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠www.peacefulsolutions.org.uk⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠www.workplacehuddle.com⁠⁠⁠

Lukasz Links

https://www.mosaictrust.org.uk/

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/lukaszkonieczka

HOST BIO

Maria founded the Centre for Peaceful Solutions in response to the fatal shooting of a 7 year old in her neighbourhood. She developed a model of conflict resolution for violent crime using her brainchild, the Dialogue Road Map (DRM).  

Over 30 years she has mediated everything from threat to life gang disputes to high stakes business deals gone wrong, Maria empowers people to resolve conflict without reliance on experts. So she trains violent prisoners to be facilitators, leaders to be effective communicators, teenagers to be peer mediators and neighbours to be tenant listeners within their respective communities.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠⁠⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/⁠⁠

In this episode of All Things Conflict, Maria sits down with Issy Adamopoulos , a mediator and barrister called to the bar who has dedicated her academic career to uncovering the systemic flaws in the UK legal system. Issy shares insights from her two groundbreaking dissertations on institutional racism and institutional misogyny within the justice system.

Together, they challenge the traditional "black and white" view of guilt and punishment. Issy argues that the current penal system is failing society by dehumanising individuals and ignoring the complex, traumatic contexts that lead to crime. From discussing the "Scandinavian model" of rehabilitation to the radical potential of implementing mediation at every stage of the legal process, this conversation reimagines a justice system built on humanity, education, and empathy.

Key Takeaways


The Failure of Punishment: Punishment is often used to satisfy victims' families, but research shows that dehumanising treatment in prison actually increases the likelihood of reoffending upon release.

The Root of Institutional Bias: Systemic racism in stop-and-search and misogyny in sexual assault investigations often stem from unconscious biases and a lack of education on how trauma affects memory and behavior.


Mediation as a Systemic Tool: Mediation should not just be an alternative; it should be integrated throughout the entire criminal justice process—from arrest to the courtroom—to uncover the "why" behind actions and restore humanity to the process.


Context Matters: We cannot fairly punish individuals for reactions to unfortunate circumstances or societal failings without addressing the root causes and individual trauma.


Malleability of Memory: The legal system relies on black-and-white evidence, but human memory is scientifically proven to be malleable, meaning inconsistencies in a victim's or perpetrator's story are often a natural human journey rather than malicious lying.


A New Educational Standard: Radical reform starts with empathy training and a deep education on colonial history and patriarchal values starting from a young age.

SOCIAL LINKS

⁠⁠www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org⁠⁠

⁠⁠www.peacefulsolutions.org.uk⁠⁠

⁠⁠www.workplacehuddle.com⁠⁠

HOST BIO

Maria founded the Centre for Peaceful Solutions in response to the fatal shooting of a 7 year old in her neighbourhood. She developed a model of conflict resolution for violent crime using her brainchild, the Dialogue Road Map (DRM).  

Over 30 years she has mediated everything from threat to life gang disputes to high stakes business deals gone wrong, Maria empowers people to resolve conflict without reliance on experts. So she trains violent prisoners to be facilitators, leaders to be effective communicators, teenagers to be peer mediators and neighbours to be tenant listeners within their respective communities.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/⁠