Muslims and non Muslims in Bedford come out in the streets in anticipation of an EDL march advertised for this evening.

IFS (Internal Family Systems), developed by Richard Schwartz, is a model that works with the theory of having 'parts' that have taken on certain emotions or duties after dealing with trauma ✍️🏽 #psychology #mentalhealth #trauma

Spend three minutes watching this man talk in a humane, evidence-based way about penal policy. Then realise that he is now in charge of prisons. And then feel the waves of relief wash over you.

This is an inspired appointment. James Timpson offers the hope of real meaningful change in our attitude towards crime prevention and rehabilitation. I was absolutely delighted to see this. I’ve spent 25 years working in forensic settings and 17 developing and leading a trauma-focused treatment programme for men who’d previously been written off as “untreatable” within a high secure prison I’ve also spent 3.5 years co-hosting @LockedUpLiving with @wolvercoteman where we’ve interviewed several people with lived experience of prison now doing amazing things and playing an important role in society. People who commit crime and end up in prison have often felt unloved and unwanted as children. Many have been abused or neglected at home. Ending up in Care of the Local Authority is not unusual. Expulsion from school also features strongly in their histories. People who end up in prison have often felt society has failed them, given up on them, sent them a strong message they don’t belong. This is significant in their offending. Why conform to societal rules if society doesn’t want you. Sometimes offending is a big fat “Fuck you”. The Fens Unit, where I worked, offered hope. Men spoke about feeling loved and cared for, often saying it was the first time in their lives they’d felt this. There are other specialist services in prison where I’m sure this was true too – but they are few and far between. Feeling someone was invested in them was an important factor in helping them change. (I will share a research paper related to this in the comments). On Locked Up Living, me and David Jones have had the chance to meet some amazing people with lived experience of prisons. Each of them is now doing something inspiring and contributing something useful to society. All of them highlight the importance of encountering someone in prison who believed in them. James Timpson offers this hope. He practices what he preaches and puts his money where his mouth is. Timpson’s the cobblers have long had a history of employing people who’ve been in prison. Timpson has been the Chair of the Employers Forum for Reducing Re-offending and the Chair of the Prison Reform Trust who are often challenging in their observations of government policies relating to crime and punishment. He is such an excellent choice and a symbol of hope that we can do things better. To hear our conversations with people who’ve been inside look for Locked Up Living wherever you get your podcasts or follow the link below and look for: Ray Bishop Michaela Booth David Breakspear @MorganGodvin Jeff Grant @DaltonHarrison9 David Maguire @Dee0871 Kierra Myles @kierralm David Shipley @ShipleyWrites Tyrone Walker @tyrone4justice @roywaterman4 (and Leslie Soble) Jason Warr @WarrCriminology (plus Jason and @KateHerrity ) @Danwhyte628 (and Ruth MacFarlane) lockedupliving.podbean.com

Let me open the door.

Please watch.