Fri 11 Nov, 2024

Our work with The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust

The 10th November is Remembrance Sunday, a day held to commemorate, remember and honour those who served Britain and sadly lost their lives in war. To commemorate, we take a look back at our National Prison Radio programme At Ease for ex-forces people in prison, supported by The Armed Forces Covenant Fund, which is back for its sixth series.

More than 1 in 30 people in prison say they have previously been in the armed forces. The true number is likely to be far higher.

Since 2021, National Prison Radio has broadcast five series of the programme At Ease for ex-forces personnel in prison. Made possible by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund’s grant, it aims to bring veterans together no matter where or when they served.

Working together to support veterans in custody:

In each episode the host of At Ease, Rich, who is a veteran and former prisoner himself, is joined by ex-service personnel who have also spent time in prison. They share some of the stories and songs that shaped their lives and helped them get to where they are today.

Rich served seven years with the 3rd Royal Tank Regiment in the British Army. After he left, he experienced a lack of direction and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These factors led him to crime and imprisonment. Since leaving prison, Rich has built a career as an author, veterans support speaker, teacher, mentor, and course creator. 

We interviewed Rich on the Life After Prison sofa back in February 2023. You can listen to the full interview here, or watch on Youtube below:

It is estimated that up to 27% of men and 37% of women in prison who served in the UK military live with PTSD. Many claim that mental health issues amongst veterans goes under-addressed in the prison system.

Veterans in prison often feel they are unable to discuss their time in service. This can be a result of feelings of shame, stigma associated with how their service will be perceived and a culture of silence that stems from the military.

At Ease hopes to tackle these concerns by speaking to veterans in prison about the unique challenges they face. 

Rich speaks to the veterans about issues as varied as money management, maintaining physical health in prison, survivors guilt and how to replace the camaraderie that pervades a life in the military.

Of those surveyed about the programme, 69% of National Prison Radio listeners found it valuable hearing from people who were in the armed forces and 77% said At Ease helped them to feel less lonely, more optimistic or more hopeful:

“It makes you feel more hopeful if you’re in a bad situation and good having prisoners on it because they know what they’re talking about. I told people to take the veteran course after listening.“

“I contacted Care After Combat and am now in touch with the Royal British Legion. Listening to other people’s stories make you feel not as bad.”

You can listen to a short clip of Rich talking to his two sons about his prison sentence below:

By creating At Ease, we are providing veterans in prison a focal point where they can access crucial information that specifically supports and meets their needs. By encouraging people to share their stories and experiences on episodes of At Ease, we are helping to break the stigma and barriers attached to veterans in custody, showing them that they are not alone and it is okay to seek support.

This Sunday, National Prison Radio will be remembering those who fought and died by playing out a two minute silence on Remembrance Sunday as a mark of respect. Listeners will also be hearing from people in prison who have served in the armed forces during Monday’s breakfast show Porridge from 8am.

We are so proud of our work with the Armed Forces Covenant Fund and everything we have achieved through At Ease. Through our radio programme and by sharing experiences and support, we promote community and help veterans in prison feel less alone. 

A new series of At Ease will broadcast on National Prison Radio from Tuesday 11th November – a day after Armistice Day.

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Learn more about how we’re taking part in this years Big Give Christmas Challenge.

The Prison Radio Association is a registered charity. At Ease is the show for ex-forces people in prison. If you would like to support our work, and enhance the futures of veterans in prison across the UK you can make a donation at prison.radio/donate.