John Podmore
@johnpodmore.bsky.social
Former Governor HMP Belmarsh, Brixton & Swaleside. International consultant on prison corruption
@mrjamesob.bsky.social Sadly we don’t name and shame, instead we promote and reward.
April 15, 2026 at 9:23 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social Sadly we don’t name and shame, instead we promote and reward.
Reposted by John Podmore
Letter from @johnpodmore.bsky.social in Times today
March 26, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Letter from @johnpodmore.bsky.social in Times today
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio... “if it’s this difficult for a musician signed to a major record label to restart their career after prison, what hope is there for the other 99.9% of the population?”
The Trials of Pa Salieu review – what hope is there for life after prison?
Sure, this might well be a PR exercise for the rapper after being jailed in 2022 for his part in a mass brawl. But it’s also a vital indictment of the appalling probation system
www.theguardian.com
March 25, 2026 at 6:46 AM
www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio... “if it’s this difficult for a musician signed to a major record label to restart their career after prison, what hope is there for the other 99.9% of the population?”
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
“This barbaric practice should never have happened on one occasion, let alone across multiple prisons”
“This barbaric practice should never have happened on one occasion, let alone across multiple prisons”
The UK scandal of women handcuffed while in labour: ‘I was so shocked when the restraints weren’t removed’
Pregnant women prisoners in England are being handcuffed to prison officers – often male – during intimate vaginal examinations and long, agonising births. Will this dehumanising treatment be stopped?
www.theguardian.com
March 23, 2026 at 7:42 AM
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
“This barbaric practice should never have happened on one occasion, let alone across multiple prisons”
“This barbaric practice should never have happened on one occasion, let alone across multiple prisons”
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... previous pledges to improve the way that mothers are treated have not been honoured. Earlier this month the Guardian reported scandalous details of women being shackled to guards while giving birth.
The Guardian view on prisons: sentencing reform has not eased the sense of crisis | Editorial
Editorial: The increased use of tags makes sense if done right. But years of accumulated problems include a depleted probation workforce
www.theguardian.com
March 23, 2026 at 7:36 AM
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre... previous pledges to improve the way that mothers are treated have not been honoured. Earlier this month the Guardian reported scandalous details of women being shackled to guards while giving birth.
“The system monitors you, but it does not support you. “https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/22/im-out-of-prison-but-ive-been-given-no-support-to-rebuild-my-life?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
I’m out of prison, but I’ve been given no support to rebuild my life | Letter
Letter: A former prisoner says that unless the government offers meaningful housing and employment help to those leaving prison, they will end up back there
www.theguardian.com
March 23, 2026 at 5:53 AM
“The system monitors you, but it does not support you. “https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/22/im-out-of-prison-but-ive-been-given-no-support-to-rebuild-my-life?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
@mrjamesob.bsky.social Imagine all the things you are discussing manifesting themselves in child and adult prisons
February 23, 2026 at 11:12 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social Imagine all the things you are discussing manifesting themselves in child and adult prisons
@mrjamesob.bsky.social Tina Brown- the wife of the late great Harold Evans - journalism royalty
February 4, 2026 at 10:23 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social Tina Brown- the wife of the late great Harold Evans - journalism royalty
Stepped down tonight after 18 great years as a trustee of @longfordtrust.bsky.social since its inception. Proud to have been with a charity helping people not writing pamphlets.
January 28, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Stepped down tonight after 18 great years as a trustee of @longfordtrust.bsky.social since its inception. Proud to have been with a charity helping people not writing pamphlets.
@mrjamesob.bsky.social Maya Angelou said: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel," Finally people are feeling uncomfortable with Trump.
January 21, 2026 at 11:39 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social Maya Angelou said: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel," Finally people are feeling uncomfortable with Trump.
The decisions may not have benefited the tax payers but the decision makers did well in terms of gongs and promotions.
January 7, 2026 at 7:58 AM
The decisions may not have benefited the tax payers but the decision makers did well in terms of gongs and promotions.
It is clear that a significant factor in court delays is the collapse of the prison and probation service be it in the failure to get prisoners to court or to produce probation reports for sentencing - as ever, no accountability @thecriminalbar.bsky.social @joannahs.bsky.social
December 24, 2025 at 8:18 AM
It is clear that a significant factor in court delays is the collapse of the prison and probation service be it in the failure to get prisoners to court or to produce probation reports for sentencing - as ever, no accountability @thecriminalbar.bsky.social @joannahs.bsky.social
@mrjamesob.bsky.social People with ADHD etc are sadly easier to arrest-they are ‘low hanging fruit’ - their behaviour is seen as irritating & frustrating- rarely dangerous except to themselves. They are part of the large cohort of people imprisoned because we are ‘mad at’ rather than frightened of.
December 17, 2025 at 11:51 AM
@mrjamesob.bsky.social People with ADHD etc are sadly easier to arrest-they are ‘low hanging fruit’ - their behaviour is seen as irritating & frustrating- rarely dangerous except to themselves. They are part of the large cohort of people imprisoned because we are ‘mad at’ rather than frightened of.
Reposted by John Podmore
A bit late in posting the latest Long View. Prisoners on the loose now - and in the 1860s. Featuring Prof Helen Johnston and @johnpodmore.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The Long View - Criminals on the Loose - BBC Sounds
Jonathan Freedland takes the Long View of presidential candidates who have stood trial.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 6:47 PM
A bit late in posting the latest Long View. Prisoners on the loose now - and in the 1860s. Featuring Prof Helen Johnston and @johnpodmore.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
The inquest found that neglect had contributed to her death – an extremely rare conclusion which can only be used where there has been a gross failure to provide basic medical attention and this has caused a person’s death.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
‘There is a gap where Alex should be’: the young woman who lost her life in a neglectful prison system
An inquest has found a Cheshire prison guilty of neglect after Alex Davies, 25, was found dead inside a segregation cell after a lifetime of mental health struggles
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 7:06 AM
The inquest found that neglect had contributed to her death – an extremely rare conclusion which can only be used where there has been a gross failure to provide basic medical attention and this has caused a person’s death.
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
ECHR: to the best of my research the UK “loses” (i.e. has a violation ruling) roughly 5-20 cases a year in past decades, but more recently this is down to nearer 1–5 cases a year. Happy to be contradicted.
October 1, 2025 at 10:52 AM
ECHR: to the best of my research the UK “loses” (i.e. has a violation ruling) roughly 5-20 cases a year in past decades, but more recently this is down to nearer 1–5 cases a year. Happy to be contradicted.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/la... - crunch time?? @arusbridger.bsky.social
Mister Timpson goes to Westminster
Can the businessman deliver radical reform for Britain’s failing prisons and probation service?
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
August 31, 2025 at 2:35 PM
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/la... - crunch time?? @arusbridger.bsky.social
‘Nothing to see here’ say the prison service and ministers- I beg to disagree. We have a £1 billion illicit drug economy in our prisons and some people are doing very well out of it.
August 25, 2025 at 10:29 AM
‘Nothing to see here’ say the prison service and ministers- I beg to disagree. We have a £1 billion illicit drug economy in our prisons and some people are doing very well out of it.
Leaked report shows 10,000 gap in probation staff
August 20, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Leaked report shows 10,000 gap in probation staff
Corruption in prisons goes far beyond the sensational headlines about female officers and illicit affairs. It has seeped into the very core of the system, reaching the highest levels of leadership. This isn’t just misconduct—it’s rot at the top.
🔺 EXCLUSIVE: Bobby Cunningham was head of security at Britain’s most notorious jail.
Today, an investigation reveals he was also linked to organised crime.
Read the full story below below
Today, an investigation reveals he was also linked to organised crime.
Read the full story below below
Revealed: the prison chief linked to organised crime
www.thetimes.com
August 18, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Corruption in prisons goes far beyond the sensational headlines about female officers and illicit affairs. It has seeped into the very core of the system, reaching the highest levels of leadership. This isn’t just misconduct—it’s rot at the top.
Well done Governor Colin Hussey and his team- may they be left in post to continue their work
HMP/YOI Lincoln: performing better than other reception prisons.
Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm...
And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=ne...
See the healthy prison scores:
Read the inspection report: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=hm...
And the press notice: hmiprisons.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk?post_type=ne...
See the healthy prison scores:
August 4, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Well done Governor Colin Hussey and his team- may they be left in post to continue their work