The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments

  In this episode of the Locked Up Living podcast, prison nurse Natalie Miller joins hosts Dr Naomi Murphy and David Jones to give an unfiltered look inside the world of UK prison healthcare. Sharing insights from her roles at High Down, Brixton, and Wormwood Scrubs, Natalie opens up about the realities and challenges of providing medical care in prison settings, ranging from understaffed healthcare teams to the daily pressures of emergency response and managing patients with complex needs. The conversation explores vital topics like staff-prisoner relationships, the impact of bureaucracy and double-documentation, working with older and vulnerable prisoners, and the emotional resilience required for this unique nursing role.   Listeners get a front-row seat to stories about advocating for the most forgotten populations, overcoming systemic barriers, and why compassionate, trauma-informed care is critical inside the justice system. Natalie also reflects on how her experiences have shaped her commitment to speaking up for prisoners’ voices, both through her work and her recent TEDx talk. Whether you’re interested in the intersection of healthcare and criminal justice, prison reform, or the human impact of institutional systems, this episode offers a deep, honest conversation packed with insight for healthcare professionals, prison staff, and anyone curious about life and work on the inside. Takeaways Natalie fell into nursing during a chaotic time in her life. Her passion for prison nursing stems from the people she serves. Building relationships with prison staff is crucial for effective healthcare. Communication barriers exist due to the unique prison environment. Bureaucracy can hinder the delivery of quality healthcare in prisons. Medication management poses significant challenges in prison settings. The emotional toll of prison nursing can be overwhelming. Advocacy for prisoners' rights is a key aspect of her role. Healthcare in prisons is essential for rehabilitation and reintegration. Maintaining well-being is vital for those working in challenging environments. Titles Inside the World of Prison Nursing The Heart of a Prison Nurse Sound bites "It's just about helping them." "It's a thankless role." "It's great, we have each other."     Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Nursing Journey 02:44 The Unique Challenges of Prison Nursing 05:35 Experiences in Different Prisons 08:07 Building Relationships in a Prison Environment 10:58 Communication Barriers in Prisons 13:32 Navigating Bureaucracy in Prison Healthcare 16:22 Medication Management Challenges 19:05 Coping with Chaos in Crisis Situations 21:56 The Importance of Compassion in Care 24:45 Advocating for Prisoners' Rights 27:29 The Role of Healthcare Staff in Rehabilitation 30:02 Maintaining Well-Being in a Demanding Role 32:50 Future Improvements in Prison Healthcare

Dan, Andy Woodward, Rafael Viola, Joe Sabien, Tobi Tarquin Summary This conversation features a group of five men discussing their experiences with male sexual abuse and the project 'Inside the Boys Club'. They emphasize the importance of raising awareness, creating a supportive community, and the need for justice and accountability. Personal stories highlight the long-lasting impact of abuse and the challenges of speaking out. The group aims to empower male survivors and foster collaboration for change, while also addressing the inadequacies of the judicial system and the importance of therapy in the healing process. Keywords male sexual abuse, awareness, support, mental health, collaboration, healing, justice, Inside the Boys Club, personal stories, community Takeaways The project aims to raise awareness about male sexual abuse. Boys comprise a significant number of sexual abuse victims. It takes men a long time to disclose their experiences. The importance of creating a supportive community for survivors. Collaboration among survivors can lead to greater impact. The judicial system often fails to support victims adequately. Therapy and professional help are crucial for healing. Speaking up can be a vital part of the healing process. There is a need for more awareness and support for male survivors. The project aims to create a platform for male voices.   Sound bites "We need to break the silence." "This is a global epidemic." "We're not alone anymore." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Inside the Boys Club 02:45 The Importance of Addressing Male Sexual Abuse 05:30 Personal Stories and Experiences of Abuse 10:58 The Need for Awareness and Support 13:40 The Role of Society and Institutions 16:34 The Impact of Power Dynamics on Abuse 22:15 The Broader Context of Abuse Across Demographics 27:49 The Challenges of Disclosure and Support 33:10 Advice for Survivors Seeking Help 37:23 The Ripple Effect of Speaking Up 39:27 Judicial System Challenges and Victim Support 43:37 Reclaiming Voice and Agency 45:43 The Struggle for a Voice in Inquiries 48:28 The Importance of Speaking Up 50:46 Post-Traumatic Growth and Resilience 56:23 Future Directions and Collective Action

Keywords   psychology, debate, societal issues, equality, justice, racism, diagnostic systems, therapy, mental health, resilience Summary This conversation explores the state of psychology, focusing on the lack of serious debate within the field, the challenges of addressing societal issues such as racism and inequality, and the role of diagnosis in therapy. The speakers discuss the medicalization of everyday life, the historical context of psychological practices, and the importance of understanding individuals as whole beings rather than mere categories. They also reflect on the evolution of diagnostic systems and the implications for mental health treatment. Takeaways There is a significant lack of serious debate in psychology. Psychology often avoids discussing major societal issues. The medicalization of everyday life is a growing concern. Psychology tends to focus on individual solutions rather than systemic issues. Racism and institutional biases persist within psychological institutions. Diagnosis can provide comfort but may also mislead individuals. The relationship between therapist and client is crucial for effective therapy. There is a need for a formulation approach over traditional diagnosis. Psychology has a history of tolerating race science and needs to address it. Future directions for psychology should focus on equality and justice. Sound bites "We don't see nearly enough debate." "We need to change the way we work." "Diagnosis can provide comfort to individuals." Chapters 00:00 The State of Debate in Psychology 05:04 The Role of Psychology in Society 11:01 Personal Responsibility vs. Social Context 14:58 Values of Equality and Justice 17:05 Institutional Racism in Psychology 25:42 Reflections on Progress and Complacency 27:34 The Debate Within Psychology 30:35 The Business of Psychology 34:21 Therapeutic Relationships and Effectiveness 36:09 The Evolution of Diagnostic Systems 42:35 The Comfort of Diagnosis 48:36 Rethinking Diagnosis in Psychology 54:02 Outro Oct 23  2.mp4

  Introduction: In this episode, we are joined by Andrew MacLeod, a passionate advocate and lawyer who has dedicated his life to addressing the complex issues surrounding children born of war and the injustices they face. With a background in law and a personal journey marked by profound loss, Andrew has transformed his experiences into a powerful mission to help those in need. He is the founder of the organization "Hear Their Cries," which focuses on advocacy, legal support, and raising awareness about the plight of these vulnerable children. Andrew's resilience and commitment to finding solutions in the face of adversity shine through in this candid conversation, where he shares insights into his work, the emotional toll it takes, and the importance of building a legacy for future generations. Key Discussion Points:** - Andrew's personal journey and the impact of his mother's passing on his career choices. - The concept of Founder's Syndrome and the importance of succession planning in advocacy work. - The emotional challenges faced by whistleblowers and advocates in the field. - The role of pro bono lawyers in supporting vulnerable populations. - Insights into the organization "Hear Their Cries" and its mission. - The psychological and societal implications of the work surrounding children born of war. - Andrew's thoughts on resilience and coping mechanisms in the face of adversity.

Keywords Oxfam, safeguarding, sexual exploitation, whistleblowing, autism, media coverage, aid sector, leadership, moral injury, charity Takeaways Helen Evans was the global head of safeguarding at Oxfam. She uncovered systemic issues of sexual exploitation and abuse within the organization. Despite her efforts, she faced resistance from senior management. The media coverage of Oxfam's issues came after the Me Too movement gained traction. Helen experienced PTSD due to the stress of her role and the lack of support. There is a significant stigma attached to whistleblowers in the UK. Many survivors of abuse do not report due to fear of not being believed. Helen advocates for mandatory safeguarding measures in aid organizations. She now works as the CEO of a charity focused on a rare neurological condition. https://cavernoma.org.uk/about/our-team/ Summary In this conversation, Helen Evans shares her harrowing experience as the global head of safeguarding at Oxfam, where she uncovered systemic issues of sexual exploitation and abuse. Despite her efforts to address these issues, she faced significant resistance from senior management, leading her to take her concerns to the Charity Commission. Helen discusses the impact of her experiences on her mental health, including a diagnosis of PTSD, and reflects on the stigma surrounding whistleblowers. She advocates for improved safeguarding measures in the aid sector and emphasizes the need for a dedicated regulator to hold organizations accountable. Now serving as the CEO of a charity focused on a rare neurological condition, Helen continues to champion the importance of ethical practices in aid work and the need for organizations to prioritize safeguarding vulnerable populations. Sound bites "This was a systemic issue." "I had to relocate. I lost my home." "I think there have been improvements." Chapters 00:00 Uncovering the Truth at Oxfam 03:59 The Impact of Whistleblowing 06:53 The Role of Media and Public Awareness 09:48 Courage and the Personal Cost of Speaking Out 12:51 The Intersection of Autism and Advocacy 15:45 Challenges in the Aid Sector 18:51 Improving Safeguarding Practices 21:59 The Need for Accountability in Charities 24:42 Reflections on Leadership and Change 27:39 The Future of Safeguarding in Aid Work 30:36 Personal Healing and Moving Forward 44:38 Outro Oct 23  2.mp4