Life After Prison

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: podcasts@prison.radio
✉️ 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 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 Wellness - A holistic wellness space focused on helping people restore balance and wellbeing through mindful, natural therapies. Offering a calming environment designed to support relaxation, healing, and self-care.

Birth Companions (London and the South East) – Provides support for pregnant women and mothers in prison, including help with resettlement and parenting. https://www.birthcompanions.org.uk

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: podcasts@prison.radio

✉️ 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.

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 women and non-binary people in prison in the UK, meditating on themes spanning childhood, ancestors, care, identity, mental health and prison life.

Online Launch Event - https://www.tickettailor.com/events/hertheirmightypen/2344163

Working Chance - Helps women with convictions into employment, offering career coaching, skills training, and support for those exploring self-employment or entrepreneurship.

Spark Inside - deliver coaching programmes in prisons, helping young people develop confidence, emotional intelligence, and a sense of purpose. Their work focuses on supporting long-term personal change and better outcomes after release.

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: podcasts@prison.radio

✉️ 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.

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, and why Pratik believes some of life's greatest strengths can be found behind bars.

Organisations:

Breakthrough Social Enterprise - Work with people in prison and those affected by the criminal justice system, supporting them to build positive futures and challenge the cycle of reoffending. It focuses on employment, education, mentoring and personal development, helping people move forward with their lives after prison.

Employment4All - Our mission is to help individuals in difficulties and those from disadvantaged groups gain skills, access jobs, and have equal opportunities.

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: podcasts@prison.radio

✉️ 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.

“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 happy to have her back and find out a bit more about what life looks like now.

Useful Organisations:

One Small Thing - An organisation with a vision of a justice system that can recognise, understand, and respond to trauma. Their mission is to redesign the justice system for women and their children.

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: podcasts@prison.radio

✉️ 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.