I am writing this in the gap between two dates when we think of those close to us, Valentine’s
Author: Raymond Smith
Raymond Smith - Writer and former resident of HMPS
Each year, the Prison Reform Trust (PRT) publish the Bromley Briefings. These fact sheets on the criminal justice system
Once again, this week I want to introduce you to a project described in an article sent to us
Usher: ‘They will get you in the end’ Adrian Usher used to be a policeman on a drug squad.
I try and ignore newspaper headlines that moan about soft prisons, and the luxuries enjoyed by all those in
We all enjoy a good book about life in prison. There are a lot to choose from, written by
Sometimes I have a long list of topics to cover. Some positive, many negative, and it is hard to
This is the first Ray Says of 2026, so happy new year to you all. I have made no
A new Saturday night prison drama on BBC1, called Waiting for the Out, focuses on Dan, who begins teaching
It is December. Christmas is coming, but newspaper stories about ‘cosy prisons’ serving luxury food to those inside, some
This trip started because of Bailey, a small cocker spaniel in Northern Ireland, and eventually led me to HMP
An investigation has exposed the brutal treatment suffered by thousands of boys and young men at Medomsley Detention Centre
For the first time, hostels will get official ratings. The team in charge of the scoring told Inside Time
In 1959, the late, great Tony Hancock appeared in a parody of the classic film, Twelve Angry Men. Hancock
Many people have travelled the path from the Old Bailey to a local prison, and from there to one
Prisons have been all over the news in recent weeks. Mistaken wrongful releases have been reported as rampant. Reoffending,
The Ministry of Justice love their acronyms. We have ROTL, ACCTs, CMs, FTEs, and dozens more. When people use
Last month the Scottish Government set out plans for another round of emergency early releases – the third since
I love Britain, and know I am lucky to live here. At its best, it is a great place
There are many problems within the criminal justice system. There are many failing services in prisons. There are good