The Secret Life of Lifers: Part 1

What is it like to receive a life sentence? We're joined by two people who have had this experience - both have been to prison and are now outside living with a 'life licence'. They join Phil and Paula in the studio, along with criminologists Serena Wright and Susie Hulley. Serena is a researcher and Lecturer in Criminology in the Department of Law and Criminology at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK. Her research on prisons and penology has focused on short-term sentences and post-release ‘frustrated desistance’ among women, and the experience of long-term incarceration among life-sentenced prisoners. Susie is a Senior Research Associate at the Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge. She is interested in how young people are affected by the criminal justice system, particularly their experiences of criminalisation and imprisonment. Her recent work focuses on the application of ‘joint enterprise’ by criminal justice practitioners (including lawyers and the police) and the impact of this legal doctrine on young people.   Further reading: Experiencing long-term imprisonment from young adulthood (Wright, Crewe, Hulley): Ministry of Justice Life Imprisonment from Young Adulthood (Wright, Crewe, Hulley): Palgrave Macmillan  

Om Podcasten

The Secret Life of Prisons is produced by a charity, the Prison Radio Association. To make a donation please visit prison.radio/donate. The podcast tells the hidden stories from behind bars. Paula Harriott is Head of Prisoner Engagement for the Prison Reform Trust. She spent time behind bars and now works to help those who have been to prison to contribute to the debate around crime and justice. Phil Maguire is the Chief Executive of the Prison Radio Association. He's worked in prisons for almost two decades and received an OBE for services to radio.