November 29 2019 was my first day out of prison in 14 and a half years. As if to show me what I’d been missing, the sky was a fierce blue and the sun shone brightly across . The city was buzzing. I had Learning Together, a education programme for prisoners, to thank for my temporary freedom.I had been invited to a conference to celebrate its fifth anniversary at Fishmongers’ Hall, by London Bridge. While my ‘plus one’ was my escorting officer Adam, it still felt incredible to be outside and in the real world.Jack Merritt, 25, the Cambridge graduate who had become my mentor in what I hoped would be my final stretch in prison, greeted me with a hug. He had a posh accent and a friendly smile: he was super-smart and could have got a job anywhere, but he believed lifers like me had potential and was dedicated to helping us.
Load More
Load More