
Bird Podcast | Stories from prison
By Bird Podcast
Bird Podcast investigates what it really means to do time in the UK prison system. One topic, two chicks, three points of view.
Explores themes around mental health, women in prison, UK gangs, knife crime, life sentences & rehabilitation.

UK Street Gangs | A Look Inside
UK Street Gangs | A Look Inside
Bird Podcast | Stories from prisonJul 18, 2018
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30:22

HMP Wymott | The Therapeutic Community
HMP Wymott | The Therapeutic Community
Two chicks talk to four men from the Therapeutic Community inside HMP Wymott.
They share their experiences of drug and alcohol misuse and the impact this has had on their lives and families as they reflect on their journey through the TC programme, as we explore what it really means to do time.
Trigger Warning: This episode references suicide
Expect social justice info, stats and prison insights from Bird on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @BirdPodcast.
birdpodcast.co.uk
Mar 03, 202331:36

HMP Garth | Lifers
HMP Garth | Lifers
Bird Podcast returns with episodes recorded exclusively behind bars for their third season.
Two chicks investigate what it’s like for 5 men serving life sentences inside HMP Garth. They share their experiences of coping with lengthy sentences, reflections on their journey inside and how small things can make a big difference as we explore what it really means to do time.
Warning: This episode contains strong language
Expect social justice info, stats and prison insights from Bird on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @BirdPodcast To find out more about Time4Change email: time4change.pentonville@justice.gov.uk
Dec 01, 202236:02

HMP Preston | Care Leavers & Custody
HMP Preston | Care Leavers & Custody
Bird Podcast returns with episodes recorded exclusively behind bars for their third season.
Two chicks investigate how care experienced young people are over represented in the criminal justice system by speaking to young men inside HMP Preston. They share experiences about growing up, the importance a loving home environment and hopes for life after prison to find out what it really means to do time
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If you’re concerned about a child or need more information contact your local Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) to make a referral or get advice
Expect social justice info, stats and prison insights from Bird on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @BirdPodcast
To find out more about Time4Change email: time4change.pentonville@justice.gov.uk
Jun 09, 202228:24

Prisoners Abroad | Detention & Deportation
Prisoners Abroad | Detention & Deportation
Two chicks go global with charity, Prisoners Abroad. They speak to Sonia about her mid-pandemic deportation and incarceration in the US. Love had no barriers for Sue, whilst her husband was imprisoned overseas and Theresa and Laura share their passion for safeguarding the welfare and human rights of detained British citizens to find out what it really means to do time – abroad.
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https://www.prisonersabroad.org.uk
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More from Bird Podcast Follow us for social justice info, stats and prison insights or get in touch with us via our website, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook www.birdpodcast.co.uk Twitter: @birdpodcast Instagram: @birdpodcast Facebook: Search 'birdpodcastUK' Artwork: Rita Cervetto
Sep 11, 202142:58

Youth Justice | The Black Experience
Youth Justice | The Black Experience
Two chicks lift the lid on the disproportionality in the UK criminal justice system. They speak to young people working with the Youth Justice Service about their lived experience of Stop and Search, root causes of youth crime, and the Black Lives Matter movement. Haringey Councillor Mark Blake sheds light on diversity in government and Haringey Youth Justice Service Manager, Matthew Knights provides his professional point of view from working with many Black and Ethnic Minority young people to find out what it really means to do time. --------------------------------------------------- Links
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Link: Ethnic minority doctors are less likely to gain consultant posts, survey finds Link: Disproportionality Project, Evaluation Report - Islington and Haringey YOTs (October 2020) Link: The Ether Programme Link: Stop Watch, accountable policing
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More from Bird Podcast Follow us for social justice info, stats and prison insights or get in touch with us via our website, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook www.birdpodcast.co.uk Twitter: @birdpodcast Instagram: @birdpodcast Facebook: Search 'birdpodcastUK' Artwork: Rita Cervetto
Mar 25, 202136:11

School Exclusions | Children & Consequences
School Exclusions | Children & Consequences
Two chicks speak to young people who’ve directly experienced exclusion from school. Harry & Kadeem share how this affected their education and lifestyle as children. London charity, Just for Kid’s Law help us understand exposure to criminality and alternative education provisions to find out what it really means to do time.
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https://justforkidslaw.org/
Aug 07, 202021:18

Relationships in Prison | Life & Love in HMP Pentonville
Relationships in Prison | Life & Love in HMP Pentonville
Two chicks return to London’s notorious HMP Pentonville to look at prisoners' relationships with prison officers, family and their own partners. Four men share the ways in which their connection with officers has changed over time, explain how they keep the magic alive with a romantic partner – even when there's no physical connection; and we hear the impact prison has on children to find out what it really means to do time.
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Special thanks
HMP Pentonville, Time4Change and the four men who took part in this episode.
Lewis Young for Production support http://theleaflibrary.com/
Sara Norman
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Useful links
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PACT https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/
Unlocked Grads https://unlockedgrads.org.uk/
Jun 03, 202025:02

EXCLUSIVE: Coronavirus in Prison | The Forgotten Community
EXCLUSIVE: Coronavirus in Prison | The Forgotten Community
We investigate the Coronavirus pandemic in prisons right now by speaking to passionate prison reformer, Dr. Sarah Lewis, prison educator, José Aguiar & front line key worker across London prisons, Melissa to find out what it really means to do time.
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Follow us for social justice info, stats and prison insights or get in touch with us via our website, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook -
www.birdpodcast.co.uk
- Twitter: @birdpodcast
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Apr 05, 202021:55

Restorative Justice | The Victim’s Voice
Restorative Justice | The Victim’s Voice
Bird Podcast returns with their long awaited second season.
Two chicks investigate how Restorative Justice can repair harm, give victims a voice and reduce reoffending in the UK by speaking directly to victims of crime. They share the stories of Wendy and Viv, ambassadors for the Restorative Justice charity ‘Why Me?’ and Anika Cosgrove, expert and practitioner in RJ as they explore what it really means to do time.
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Links
To see Wendy & Viv’s story and find out more about restorative services and the powerful work ‘Why Me?’ are doing go to their website
https://why-me.org
Special thanks to Restorative Solutions and Leeds Youth Offending Service for their work with Wendy & Viv
Research on reducing reoffending https://restorativejustice.org.uk/resources/evidence-supporting-use-restorative-justice
For the Victim code of practice and more on victim support, visit www.victimsupport.org.uk or call: 08 08 16 89 111
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More from Bird Podcast
Follow us for social justice info, stats and prison insights or get in touch with us via our website, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook
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Twitter: @birdpodcast
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Facebook: Search 'birdpodcastUK'
Mar 31, 202026:00

Knife Crime | Stories & Solutions from HMP Pentonville
Knife Crime | Stories & Solutions from HMP Pentonville
SEASON FINALE Two chicks gain exclusive access to London's notorious prison, HMP Pentonville. Bird explores prisoner experiences of knife crime in the UK, uncovering stories from both victim and perpetrator. They discuss how early childhood and trauma play a vital role in criminality to find out what it really means to do time.
More from Bird Podcast
Follow us for social justice info, stats and prison insights or get in touch with us via our website, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook
www.birdpodcast.co.uk
Twitter: @birdpodcast
Instagram: @birdpodcast
Facebook: Search 'birdpodcastUK'
Aug 23, 201930:42

Rehabilitation in Prison | A Call for Connections
Rehabilitation in Prison | A Call for Connections
Two chicks investigate whether rehabilitation is possible in our UK prisons and The Criminal Justice System. Uncovering that meaningful work, relationships and a kinder society are the key to safer communities and repairing harm. They speak to to Dr. Sarah Lewis, founder of the Growth Project, Cell Workout creator, LJ Flanders and spoken word artist, Jason Smith to find out what it really means to do time.
More from Bird Podcast
Follow us for social justice info, stats and prison insights or get in touch with us via our website, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook
www.birdpodcast.co.uk
Twitter: @birdpodcast
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Facebook: Search 'birdpodcastUK'
May 06, 201929:20

Women in Prison | A New Perspective
Women in Prison | A New Perspective
Two chicks investigate women in prison by uncovering the truth behind female incarceration and the impact it has on their families. They speak to CEO of 'Women in Prison,' Kate Paradine, Lady Unchained, Brenda and women's rights activist, Kafayat Okanlawon to find out what it really means to do time.
More from Bird Podcast
Follow us for social justice info, stats and prison insights or get in touch with us via our website, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook
www.birdpodcast.co.uk
Twitter: @birdpodcast
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Facebook: Search 'birdpodcastUK'
Nov 24, 201835:39

Life Sentences | From Teenagers to Triathletes
Life Sentences | From Teenagers to Triathletes
Two chicks investigate life sentences in the UK as they discover what happens to lifers behind bars and beyond. They follow the journeys of John McAvoy, a reformed criminal turned iron man; Jan, a mother and John McNamara, a criminal barrister, to find out what it really means to do time.
More from Bird Podcast
Follow us for social justice info, stats and prison insights or get in touch with us via our website, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook
www.birdpodcast.co.uk
Twitter: @birdpodcast
Instagram: @birdpodcast
Facebook: Search 'birdpodcastUK'
Sep 05, 201831:41

UK Street Gangs | A Look Inside
UK Street Gangs | A Look Inside
Two chicks investigate the inextricable links between UK street gangs, offending and prison as they chat with two former gang members and a prison gang worker to find out what it really means to do time.
More from Bird Podcast
Follow us for social justice info, stats and prison insights or get in touch with us via our website, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook
www.birdpodcast.co.uk
Twitter: @birdpodcast
Instagram: @birdpodcast
Facebook: Search 'birdpodcastUK'
Jul 18, 201830:22

Substance Misuse in Prison | The True Cost
Substance Misuse in Prison | The True Cost
Two chicks investigate the impact of substance misuse in our UK prisons as they chat with an ex-con, a police officer and a recovery service team leader to find out what it really means to do time.
More from Bird Podcast
Follow us for social justice info, stats and prison insights or get in touch with us via our website, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook
www.birdpodcast.co.uk
Twitter: @birdpodcast
Instagram: @birdpodcast
Facebook: Search 'birdpodcastUK'
Apr 09, 201839:47

Mental Health Behind Bars | Will Lessons Be Learnt?
Mental Health Behind Bars | Will Lessons Be Learnt?
Two chicks investigate the rise of self harm and suicide in our UK prisons as they chat with ex-cons, prison staff & mental health professionals to find out what it really means to do time.
More from Bird Podcast
Follow us for social justice info, stats and prison insights or get in touch with us via our website, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook
www.birdpodcast.co.uk
Twitter: @birdpodcast
Instagram: @birdpodcast
Facebook: Search 'birdpodcastUK'
Feb 24, 201827:33