Podcast - Caught: The Lives of Juvenile Justice

Caught, a WNYC Studio podcast is 9 episodes in, and has already covered a range of topics around child imprisonment in the US.

The associated web site provides some context:

America incarcerates more people than any country in the world. It starts with kids. On any given night, roughly 53,000 young people are in some form of lockup. Nearly 60 percent are black or Latino. We all make dumb mistakes in our youth. But for these kids, those same destructive choices have a lasting impact.
Caught: The Lives of Juvenile Justice tells the stories of young lives forever changed by collisions with law and order. We’ll also hear from their parents, guards, counselors and judges, who hold the power, but whose hands are often tied by laws that ultimately fail our children.

A difficult but enlightening listen about the impact imprisonment has on children, as well as an exploration of alternative interventions.

Podcast - Get out of jail: time for prison reform

I'm a regular listener to Ed Miliband & Geoff Lloyd's 'Reasons to be Cheerful' podcast, and thought that this particular episode would be of interest to those studying criminology and/or the penal system. It comes in at just under an hour & a half, so not a quick listen, but it raises some interesting points. 

From the podcast's web site:

Hello! Our prison system is in crisis. Overcrowding, re-offending, self-harm and riots. What is to be done? Our guests tell us there is reason to think things can change for the better. Nils Oberg tells us how they do it so much better in Sweden, Vicky Pryce tells us what the economics teaches us, and former Lord Chancellor Charlie Falconer tells us how we can navigate the politics.

What is life in prison really like? Ear Hustle provides an insight.

Ear Hustle brings you stories of life inside prison, shared and produced by those living it. 

The podcast is a partnership between Earlonne Woods and Antwan Williams, currently incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison, and Nigel Poor, a Bay Area artist. 

Each podcast covers a different topic, from the importance of getting a cell mate you’re compatible with, to serving time in solitary confinement, to what it’s like getting old in prison.

Not always an easy listen, but informative and a unique insight into the lives of prisoners. Highly recommended.

Not sure if it’s for you? A short introduction is available to listen to at:   

https://www.earhustlesq.com/listen/2017/5/28/this-is-ear-hustle

Law in Action - interview with governor of HMP Edinburgh

I've previously flagged up Law in Action, and it's worth subscribing to podcasts from the series. 

Rather belatedly I've recently listened to the last episode from the most recent series entitled 'Joshua Goes to Prison' in which the presenter, Joshua Rozenburg visits Edinburgh Prison and speaks to the governor, Caroline Johnston about how she and her staff are managing the challenges of operating a prison in the 21st century. The prison is involved in some interesting initiatives, including employing a Throughcare Support Officer, a prison officer who works both inside and outside the prison itself. The officer's sole purpose is to work with short-term prisoners in the run up to release and focus on helping with issues relating to areas such as housing, employment prospects and addiction support. The officer then remains in contact post-release and continues to offer support.

Definitely worth a listen if you're a criminology student, and/or are interested in the penal system.

NB If you're a Birkbeck student, or member of staff and are reading this post after the episode has disappeared from BBC iplayer, then you can listen via our subscription to Box of Broadcasts National 

Latest series of Law in Action

I've previously mentioned Radio 4's Law in Action programme:
http://birkbecklibrarylaw.blogspot.co.uk/2008/06/bbc-radio-4-law-in-action.html 
but wanted to flag up the most recent series, which broadcast last month.

Topics covered included Criminal Legal Aid cuts, the introduction of criminal court charges and a discussion around alternatives to imprisoning mothers (often jailed for non-violent crimes).

All are currently available to listen to / download from:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tgy1/episodes/downloads 

HM Inspector of Prisons for England & Wales Annual Report

The most recent annual report from Her Majesty's Inspector of Prisons, covering 2014/15 has been published today.
It includes sections on men in prison, women in prison, children in custody, immigration detention and police custody.

It has already generated a fair amount of press comment, mostly focussing on the conclusion that prisons are in their worst state for a decade - see the BBC, Guardian, Independent and Telegraph.