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Prison and the Greater Good | Whitney Iles | TEDxBrighton


good afternoon Brighton how is everyone

good afternoon Brighton how is everyone today I’m gonna need a little bit more

today I’m gonna need a little bit more

today I’m gonna need a little bit more energy how is everyone this afternoon

energy how is everyone this afternoon

energy how is everyone this afternoon there we go

there we go

there we go have you been enjoying yourself alright

have you been enjoying yourself alright

have you been enjoying yourself alright brilliant so my name is Whitney Isles I

brilliant so my name is Whitney Isles I

brilliant so my name is Whitney Isles I run an organization called Project 507

run an organization called Project 507

run an organization called Project 507 and we work around violence and we do a

and we work around violence and we do a

and we work around violence and we do a lot of different types of violence

lot of different types of violence

lot of different types of violence reduction in the community and also in

reduction in the community and also in

reduction in the community and also in the prison setting and it’s something

the prison setting and it’s something

the prison setting and it’s something that I’ve grown to really love and

that I’ve grown to really love and

that I’ve grown to really love and really want some more systemic change

really want some more systemic change

really want some more systemic change and a couple months ago when Toby gave

and a couple months ago when Toby gave

and a couple months ago when Toby gave me a call well he gave me a tweet first

me a call well he gave me a tweet first

me a call well he gave me a tweet first and he said hey I’ve seen your first

and he said hey I’ve seen your first

and he said hey I’ve seen your first TEDx really want you to come and do TEDx

TEDx really want you to come and do TEDx

TEDx really want you to come and do TEDx Brighton and I was like wow didn’t even

Brighton and I was like wow didn’t even

Brighton and I was like wow didn’t even know you could do – so hey wicked

know you could do – so hey wicked

know you could do – so hey wicked brilliant I’m there and he said well

brilliant I’m there and he said well

brilliant I’m there and he said well what would you want to speak about and I

what would you want to speak about and I

what would you want to speak about and I was like well prisons prisons yes

was like well prisons prisons yes

was like well prisons prisons yes prisons and the greater good and in my

prisons and the greater good and in my

prisons and the greater good and in my head I had this really amazing idea of

head I had this really amazing idea of

head I had this really amazing idea of how I was going to impress you all with

how I was going to impress you all with

how I was going to impress you all with all this you know brilliant theory I was

all this you know brilliant theory I was

all this you know brilliant theory I was gonna go into the history of it and I

gonna go into the history of it and I

gonna go into the history of it and I was gonna look at the greater good and

was gonna look at the greater good and

was gonna look at the greater good and where the greater good came from and

where the greater good came from and

where the greater good came from and look at moral law and it was gonna be

look at moral law and it was gonna be

look at moral law and it was gonna be amazing it really was and then I

amazing it really was and then I

amazing it really was and then I remembered that I run a company that

remembered that I run a company that

remembered that I run a company that deals with violence and that I rarely

deals with violence and that I rarely

deals with violence and that I rarely get a moment to myself so Plan B was I’m

get a moment to myself so Plan B was I’m

get a moment to myself so Plan B was I’m gonna go onto YouTube and I’m gonna look

gonna go onto YouTube and I’m gonna look

gonna go onto YouTube and I’m gonna look at all the different TED talks around

at all the different TED talks around

at all the different TED talks around prison on page six of the search engine

prison on page six of the search engine

prison on page six of the search engine I realize that wanting to watch all the

I realize that wanting to watch all the

I realize that wanting to watch all the other prison all the other TED Talks

other prison all the other TED Talks

other prison all the other TED Talks around prison was not the greatest idea

around prison was not the greatest idea

around prison was not the greatest idea first of all I probably wouldn’t have

first of all I probably wouldn’t have

first of all I probably wouldn’t have got through it or in the at the time

got through it or in the at the time

got through it or in the at the time allocated and second of all I became

allocated and second of all I became

allocated and second of all I became very kind of insecure about what I was

very kind of insecure about what I was

very kind of insecure about what I was gonna speak about because guess what

gonna speak about because guess what

gonna speak about because guess what every single thing that I wanted to talk

every single thing that I wanted to talk

every single thing that I wanted to talk about had already been spoken about but

about had already been spoken about but

about had already been spoken about but then this interested me some more

then this interested me some more

then this interested me some more because then I was thinking hang on a

because then I was thinking hang on a

because then I was thinking hang on a minute is 2016 we kind of know the

minute is 2016 we kind of know the

minute is 2016 we kind of know the prison system isn’t really working the

prison system isn’t really working the

prison system isn’t really working the way that we need it to we know this we

way that we need it to we know this we

way that we need it to we know this we have all the information that tells us

have all the information that tells us

have all the information that tells us this and not only that

this and not only that

this and not only that we also have a lot of really amazing

we also have a lot of really amazing

we also have a lot of really amazing solutions from all over the world I

solutions from all over the world I

solutions from all over the world I think it was the Netherlands I was

think it was the Netherlands I was

think it was the Netherlands I was looking at the other day that are

looking at the other day that are

looking at the other day that are actually closing down prisons because

actually closing down prisons because

actually closing down prisons because they don’t have enough criminals Wow

they don’t have enough criminals Wow

they don’t have enough criminals Wow wicked brilliant so then I came across

wicked brilliant so then I came across

wicked brilliant so then I came across this quote and it might be a little bit

this quote and it might be a little bit

this quote and it might be a little bit wrong because I am from the Instagram

wrong because I am from the Instagram

wrong because I am from the Instagram kind of generation where the courts just

kind of generation where the courts just

kind of generation where the courts just go up and you don’t really check them

go up and you don’t really check them

go up and you don’t really check them you just say sounds good works for me

you just say sounds good works for me

you just say sounds good works for me it’s working for the presentation today

but it really hit a nerve with me

but it really hit a nerve with me because I do a lot of work in the

because I do a lot of work in the

because I do a lot of work in the prisons and I also do a lot of work in

prisons and I also do a lot of work in

prisons and I also do a lot of work in Parliament and with the MOJ in norms and

Parliament and with the MOJ in norms and

Parliament and with the MOJ in norms and there’s some really fantastic people

there’s some really fantastic people

there’s some really fantastic people behind the scenes doing some work to see

behind the scenes doing some work to see

behind the scenes doing some work to see if we can really make some real systemic

if we can really make some real systemic

if we can really make some real systemic changes to make our whole lives better

changes to make our whole lives better

changes to make our whole lives better and it says we cannot solve our problems

and it says we cannot solve our problems

and it says we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we

with the same thinking we used when we

with the same thinking we used when we created them and it made so much sense

created them and it made so much sense

created them and it made so much sense to me something just clicked because

to me something just clicked because

to me something just clicked because everything about prison is punishment

everything about prison is punishment

everything about prison is punishment and security so a lot of other changes

and security so a lot of other changes

and security so a lot of other changes that are being made still have to go in

that are being made still have to go in

that are being made still have to go in line with punishment and security and

line with punishment and security and

line with punishment and security and yes security is a big deal I’m not

yes security is a big deal I’m not

yes security is a big deal I’m not saying that we don’t need it I’m not

saying that we don’t need it I’m not

saying that we don’t need it I’m not saying there there aren’t people that do

saying there there aren’t people that do

saying there there aren’t people that do need to be kept away for a little bit

need to be kept away for a little bit

need to be kept away for a little bit but then I thought what if we changed

but then I thought what if we changed

but then I thought what if we changed our thinking around this because it

our thinking around this because it

our thinking around this because it cannot just come from the prison system

cannot just come from the prison system

cannot just come from the prison system it has to come from all of us all of us

it has to come from all of us all of us

it has to come from all of us all of us needs to start thinking a little bit

needs to start thinking a little bit

needs to start thinking a little bit different and I tell you why about a

different and I tell you why about a

different and I tell you why about a month ago I was sitting down with one of

month ago I was sitting down with one of

month ago I was sitting down with one of the heads of the parole board and I was

the heads of the parole board and I was

the heads of the parole board and I was talking about sentencing and I said I’ve

talking about sentencing and I said I’ve

talking about sentencing and I said I’ve got so many amazing young men that have

got so many amazing young men that have

got so many amazing young men that have been completely rehabilitated and that

been completely rehabilitated and that

been completely rehabilitated and that should be out in the community they

should be out in the community they

should be out in the community they actually have jobs waiting for them but

actually have jobs waiting for them but

actually have jobs waiting for them but they still have another year year and a

they still have another year year and a

they still have another year year and a half two years left of their sentence

half two years left of their sentence

half two years left of their sentence and that’s 40,000 pounds a year for them

and that’s 40,000 pounds a year for them

and that’s 40,000 pounds a year for them to sit and wait to get back out into the

to sit and wait to get back out into the

to sit and wait to get back out into the community and he said wait this is a

community and he said wait this is a

community and he said wait this is a really great idea and there’s a lot of

really great idea and there’s a lot of

really great idea and there’s a lot of people having these really good ideas

people having these really good ideas

people having these really good ideas the problem

the problem

the problem is the current political climate the way

is the current political climate the way

is the current political climate the way that the public perceives offending and

that the public perceives offending and

that the public perceives offending and prisons and what needs to be done will

prisons and what needs to be done will

prisons and what needs to be done will not accept these changes quickly and

not accept these changes quickly and

not accept these changes quickly and that hurt because this is my world this

that hurt because this is my world this

that hurt because this is my world this is where I spend most of my days with my

is where I spend most of my days with my

is where I spend most of my days with my team and we work with those young men

team and we work with those young men

team and we work with those young men and young women normally under the age

and young women normally under the age

and young women normally under the age of 25 in various different prisons

of 25 in various different prisons

of 25 in various different prisons across the UK and every single one of

across the UK and every single one of

across the UK and every single one of these young people have a story and we

these young people have a story and we

these young people have a story and we work with the more what would be

work with the more what would be

work with the more what would be considered the more high-risk the more

considered the more high-risk the more

considered the more high-risk the more violent the ones that are in prison

violent the ones that are in prison

violent the ones that are in prison being violent but when we break down

being violent but when we break down

being violent but when we break down those stories these are young people

those stories these are young people

those stories these are young people that are dealing with trauma they’re

that are dealing with trauma they’re

that are dealing with trauma they’re dealing with pain they’re dealing with

dealing with pain they’re dealing with

dealing with pain they’re dealing with flashbacks they’re dealing with

flashbacks they’re dealing with

flashbacks they’re dealing with nightmares they’re dealing with the fact

nightmares they’re dealing with the fact

nightmares they’re dealing with the fact that they watch their mother get beaten

that they watch their mother get beaten

that they watch their mother get beaten up when they were four they’re dealing

up when they were four they’re dealing

up when they were four they’re dealing with the fact that they’ve been sexually

with the fact that they’ve been sexually

with the fact that they’ve been sexually abused and never told us all they’re

abused and never told us all they’re

abused and never told us all they’re dealing with the fact that they’ve got

dealing with the fact that they’ve got

dealing with the fact that they’ve got multiple multiple family members dying

multiple multiple family members dying

multiple multiple family members dying of cancer and they’re not allowed to go

of cancer and they’re not allowed to go

of cancer and they’re not allowed to go to funerals because it’s considered too

to funerals because it’s considered too

to funerals because it’s considered too high-risk

high-risk

high-risk and they’re sitting in these cells and

and they’re sitting in these cells and

and they’re sitting in these cells and sometimes they’re sitting in sales for

sometimes they’re sitting in sales for

sometimes they’re sitting in sales for twenty three and a half hours a day with

twenty three and a half hours a day with

twenty three and a half hours a day with no TV no radio and just all their

no TV no radio and just all their

no TV no radio and just all their thoughts in their head and it’s Hertz

thoughts in their head and it’s Hertz

thoughts in their head and it’s Hertz and year sometimes prison can be a bit

and year sometimes prison can be a bit

and year sometimes prison can be a bit like a youth center here there’s pool

like a youth center here there’s pool

like a youth center here there’s pool tables there’s play stations and yes

tables there’s play stations and yes

tables there’s play stations and yes sometimes it can be really really

sometimes it can be really really

sometimes it can be really really violent and people get killed and people

violent and people get killed and people

violent and people get killed and people kill themselves and those are the two

kill themselves and those are the two

kill themselves and those are the two extremes that we’re shown in the

extremes that we’re shown in the

extremes that we’re shown in the newspapers and the media and I think we

newspapers and the media and I think we

newspapers and the media and I think we do need to be aware of that but we also

do need to be aware of that but we also

do need to be aware of that but we also need to be aware of all the journeys

need to be aware of all the journeys

need to be aware of all the journeys that are happening in between and all

that are happening in between and all

that are happening in between and all the things that these people are dealing

the things that these people are dealing

the things that these people are dealing with on a day to day basis the fact that

with on a day to day basis the fact that

with on a day to day basis the fact that phone credit is still so high in prison

phone credit is still so high in prison

phone credit is still so high in prison and you’re looking at having to spend 15

and you’re looking at having to spend 15

and you’re looking at having to spend 15 pound a week just to have around 30 40

pound a week just to have around 30 40

pound a week just to have around 30 40 minutes

minutes

minutes can see loved ones went out on the roads

can see loved ones went out on the roads

can see loved ones went out on the roads you can spend twenty twenty pound a

you can spend twenty twenty pound a

you can spend twenty twenty pound a month and get unlimited calls so once

month and get unlimited calls so once

month and get unlimited calls so once these young people are in the system

these young people are in the system

these young people are in the system they’re pretty much stuck in the system

they’re pretty much stuck in the system

they’re pretty much stuck in the system to fend for themselves and yes there was

to fend for themselves and yes there was

to fend for themselves and yes there was there was so much progress being made

there was so much progress being made

there was so much progress being made but there is still so much more to be

but there is still so much more to be

but there is still so much more to be done so one of the things that I want

done so one of the things that I want

done so one of the things that I want everyone to start thinking about

everyone to start thinking about

everyone to start thinking about different imagine if we really thought

different imagine if we really thought

different imagine if we really thought about violence as a public health issue

about violence as a public health issue

about violence as a public health issue imagine if we took the punishment

imagine if we took the punishment

imagine if we took the punishment element away from prisons and we started

element away from prisons and we started

element away from prisons and we started thinking what if we did physiotherapy

thinking what if we did physiotherapy

thinking what if we did physiotherapy for the mind and we had individualized

for the mind and we had individualized

for the mind and we had individualized plans that were looking at healing

plans that were looking at healing

plans that were looking at healing because these people in prisons need

because these people in prisons need

because these people in prisons need healing they don’t need more punishment

healing they don’t need more punishment

healing they don’t need more punishment the prison is punishment enough

but for these young people and for

but for these young people and for everyone in general to get their healing

everyone in general to get their healing

everyone in general to get their healing we need to be more concerned about them

we need to be more concerned about them

we need to be more concerned about them because once you sit there and you speak

because once you sit there and you speak

because once you sit there and you speak and you listen and I spend all my days

and you listen and I spend all my days

and you listen and I spend all my days listening to stories you understand that

listening to stories you understand that

listening to stories you understand that actually a lot of these people are the

actually a lot of these people are the

actually a lot of these people are the ones we let down the ones that slip

ones we let down the ones that slip

ones we let down the ones that slip through the different services if you’re

through the different services if you’re

through the different services if you’re in care you’re more likely to end up in

in care you’re more likely to end up in

in care you’re more likely to end up in prison that doesn’t make sense to me so

prison that doesn’t make sense to me so

prison that doesn’t make sense to me so today I wanted to use this platform as a

today I wanted to use this platform as a

today I wanted to use this platform as a way to get the general public thinking a

way to get the general public thinking a

way to get the general public thinking a little bit more about prisons and about

little bit more about prisons and about

little bit more about prisons and about the people in prisons because they are

the people in prisons because they are

the people in prisons because they are people and yes there will always be the

people and yes there will always be the

people and yes there will always be the small minority that have some real

small minority that have some real

small minority that have some real complex hard issues and they might need

complex hard issues and they might need

complex hard issues and they might need to be sent away for a very long time but

to be sent away for a very long time but

to be sent away for a very long time but the majority of the people that I come

the majority of the people that I come

the majority of the people that I come in contact with on a day-to-day basis

in contact with on a day-to-day basis

in contact with on a day-to-day basis are people that are searching for

are people that are searching for

are people that are searching for healing they’re searching for a space to

healing they’re searching for a space to

healing they’re searching for a space to grow and to be better and they are

grow and to be better and they are

grow and to be better and they are scared they are terrified to come back

scared they are terrified to come back

scared they are terrified to come back out and face you and face the world and

out and face you and face the world and

out and face you and face the world and face the judgments and there’s a few

face the judgments and there’s a few

face the judgments and there’s a few things we’ve been working on recently

things we’ve been working on recently

things we’ve been working on recently which I just want to show and give some

which I just want to show and give some

which I just want to show and give some attention

attention

attention – because I feel that they’re still

– because I feel that they’re still

– because I feel that they’re still really valid issues in 2016 in fact I

really valid issues in 2016 in fact I

really valid issues in 2016 in fact I can’t believe in 2016 we have these

can’t believe in 2016 we have these

can’t believe in 2016 we have these issues the first one is the young review

issues the first one is the young review

issues the first one is the young review and there’s so many different reviews

and there’s so many different reviews

and there’s so many different reviews coming out now there’s a Charlie Taylor

coming out now there’s a Charlie Taylor

coming out now there’s a Charlie Taylor review there’s a David Lammy review

review there’s a David Lammy review

review there’s a David Lammy review which is coming out next month and they

which is coming out next month and they

which is coming out next month and they all highlight issues which we feel like

all highlight issues which we feel like

all highlight issues which we feel like we should have been dealing with already

we should have been dealing with already

we should have been dealing with already we feel like they should not be an issue

we feel like they should not be an issue

we feel like they should not be an issue anymore the fact that there’s over 43%

anymore the fact that there’s over 43%

anymore the fact that there’s over 43% of young people so under 18 in the

of young people so under 18 in the

of young people so under 18 in the prison system right now of black and

prison system right now of black and

prison system right now of black and ethnic minorities that is a huge

ethnic minorities that is a huge

ethnic minorities that is a huge disproportionality compared to how many

disproportionality compared to how many

disproportionality compared to how many there are young people in the

there are young people in the

there are young people in the communities right now of BMI backgrounds

communities right now of BMI backgrounds

communities right now of BMI backgrounds there’s still so much more that we need

there’s still so much more that we need

there’s still so much more that we need to need to be doing in regards of race

to need to be doing in regards of race

to need to be doing in regards of race and putting race back on the agenda in

and putting race back on the agenda in

and putting race back on the agenda in our criminal justice system

giant Enterprise you might have seen

giant Enterprise you might have seen giant enterprise on the news so it’s a

giant enterprise on the news so it’s a

giant enterprise on the news so it’s a big topic and there was changes earlier

big topic and there was changes earlier

big topic and there was changes earlier on in this year and if anyone gets a

on in this year and if anyone gets a

on in this year and if anyone gets a chance I’d highly recommend that you go

chance I’d highly recommend that you go

chance I’d highly recommend that you go and have a look at the charity Jenga

and have a look at the charity Jenga

and have a look at the charity Jenga because they are some amazing moms that

because they are some amazing moms that

because they are some amazing moms that are really put in their life and well

are really put in their life and well

are really put in their life and well they’re really putting their life on

they’re really putting their life on

they’re really putting their life on hold to save their children now joint

hold to save their children now joint

hold to save their children now joint enterprise means that if we’re all out

enterprise means that if we’re all out

enterprise means that if we’re all out together and we’re in a club or we’re

together and we’re in a club or we’re

together and we’re in a club or we’re out with our friends

out with our friends

out with our friends and I do something wrong if you didn’t

and I do something wrong if you didn’t

and I do something wrong if you didn’t stop me you can go down for the same

stop me you can go down for the same

stop me you can go down for the same crime I did we have 15 year olds there

crime I did we have 15 year olds there

crime I did we have 15 year olds there at the time of an offense were legally

at the time of an offense were legally

at the time of an offense were legally blind doing a life sentence for murder

blind doing a life sentence for murder

blind doing a life sentence for murder because one of their friends decided to

because one of their friends decided to

because one of their friends decided to hit another man and murder is wrong on

hit another man and murder is wrong on

hit another man and murder is wrong on all cases I’m not saying that we need to

all cases I’m not saying that we need to

all cases I’m not saying that we need to be any more leading on that but if

be any more leading on that but if

be any more leading on that but if there’s children that are present or not

there’s children that are present or not

there’s children that are present or not even around and they can still get 20 25

even around and they can still get 20 25

even around and they can still get 20 25 30 year sentences I don’t understand why

30 year sentences I don’t understand why

30 year sentences I don’t understand why we’re not doing more about that I have

we’re not doing more about that I have

we’re not doing more about that I have young men that I’m working with doing 34

young men that I’m working with doing 34

young men that I’m working with doing 34 years that means they have to do their

years that means they have to do their

years that means they have to do their 34 years before they can come home for

34 years before they can come home for

34 years before they can come home for murders that they didn’t even commit and

murders that they didn’t even commit and

murders that they didn’t even commit and once you start understanding trauma and

once you start understanding trauma and

once you start understanding trauma and behavioral change you understand that

behavioral change you understand that

behavioral change you understand that today it’s easy for someone who’s

today it’s easy for someone who’s

today it’s easy for someone who’s suffering from post-traumatic stress to

suffering from post-traumatic stress to

suffering from post-traumatic stress to stand there and watch when something’s

stand there and watch when something’s

stand there and watch when something’s happening because they were in

happening because they were in

happening because they were in fight-or-flight and there’s a lot of

fight-or-flight and there’s a lot of

fight-or-flight and there’s a lot of these injustice is still happening

these injustice is still happening

these injustice is still happening within our system IPP imprisonment for

within our system IPP imprisonment for

within our system IPP imprisonment for public protection this was abolished in

public protection this was abolished in

public protection this was abolished in 2012 you cannot be sent to prison on an

2012 you cannot be sent to prison on an

2012 you cannot be sent to prison on an IPP anymore yet we still have 4,000

IPP anymore yet we still have 4,000

IPP anymore yet we still have 4,000 prisoners in our system that can’t come

prisoners in our system that can’t come

prisoners in our system that can’t come home and they started prison prison

home and they started prison prison

home and they started prison prison sentence during one year two years and

sentence during one year two years and

sentence during one year two years and now we’re doing 10 years 15 years and

now we’re doing 10 years 15 years and

now we’re doing 10 years 15 years and for me one of the worst things that we

for me one of the worst things that we

for me one of the worst things that we could do to a person is to take away all

could do to a person is to take away all

could do to a person is to take away all their hope and it’s very very small

their hope and it’s very very small

their hope and it’s very very small things that are preventing these things

things that are preventing these things

things that are preventing these things from moving forward the IPPS and I’ll

from moving forward the IPPS and I’ll

from moving forward the IPPS and I’ll probably get myself in trouble next week

probably get myself in trouble next week

probably get myself in trouble next week when I go with a head office but the

when I go with a head office but the

when I go with a head office but the IPPS and the joint enterprises they are

IPPS and the joint enterprises they are

IPPS and the joint enterprises they are down to public perceptions we’re only

down to public perceptions we’re only

down to public perceptions we’re only gonna get changes in the system when the

gonna get changes in the system when the

gonna get changes in the system when the public actually stands I’m gonna go all

public actually stands I’m gonna go all

public actually stands I’m gonna go all this is a bit wrong this doesn’t feel

this is a bit wrong this doesn’t feel

this is a bit wrong this doesn’t feel right and we it’s not necessarily we’re

right and we it’s not necessarily we’re

right and we it’s not necessarily we’re saying let everyone out but let’s think

saying let everyone out but let’s think

saying let everyone out but let’s think about things slightly differently

about things slightly differently

about things slightly differently because why are 4,000 people still in

because why are 4,000 people still in

because why are 4,000 people still in prison or over I think a lot of them are

prison or over I think a lot of them are

prison or over I think a lot of them are five times over their tariffs and most

five times over their tariffs and most

five times over their tariffs and most times it’s because they haven’t done a

times it’s because they haven’t done a

times it’s because they haven’t done a program I saw one guy that was supposed

program I saw one guy that was supposed

program I saw one guy that was supposed to do a program around healthy

to do a program around healthy

to do a program around healthy relationships he couldn’t do it he was

relationships he couldn’t do it he was

relationships he couldn’t do it he was refused to do it because he was gay and

refused to do it because he was gay and

refused to do it because he was gay and the program was for heterosexual

the program was for heterosexual

the program was for heterosexual relationships so he got his parole

relationships so he got his parole

relationships so he got his parole pushed back due to the fact that he

pushed back due to the fact that he

pushed back due to the fact that he could not do a program which doesn’t

could not do a program which doesn’t

could not do a program which doesn’t even exist for him and it’s deep and if

even exist for him and it’s deep and if

even exist for him and it’s deep and if we want real change in the system if we

we want real change in the system if we

we want real change in the system if we want real change for these people and we

want real change for these people and we

want real change for these people and we want a safer society for ourselves we

want a safer society for ourselves we

want a safer society for ourselves we have to start thinking about prison and

have to start thinking about prison and

have to start thinking about prison and thinking about finding from a place of

thinking about finding from a place of

thinking about finding from a place of love rather than a place of hate because

love rather than a place of hate because

love rather than a place of hate because whenever I write an article for the

whenever I write an article for the

whenever I write an article for the Guardian or the –

Guardian or the –

Guardian or the – for whatever else I do and whenever I

for whatever else I do and whenever I

for whatever else I do and whenever I see things like this in the newspaper I

see things like this in the newspaper I

see things like this in the newspaper I see these kind of comments and these

see these kind of comments and these

see these kind of comments and these kind of comments hurt my heart more than

kind of comments hurt my heart more than

kind of comments hurt my heart more than anything else in the world because

anything else in the world because

anything else in the world because they’re not helping us and I’m not

they’re not helping us and I’m not

they’re not helping us and I’m not saying that we need to be completely

saying that we need to be completely

saying that we need to be completely lenient and we need to forget about the

lenient and we need to forget about the

lenient and we need to forget about the victims of crime because there’s nothing

victims of crime because there’s nothing

victims of crime because there’s nothing I want to do there’s nothing more that I

I want to do there’s nothing more that I

I want to do there’s nothing more that I don’t want to do in regards of working

don’t want to do in regards of working

don’t want to do in regards of working with children that have killed children

with children that have killed children

with children that have killed children my heart can’t take that no more I

my heart can’t take that no more I

my heart can’t take that no more I understand that I feel that and I don’t

understand that I feel that and I don’t

understand that I feel that and I don’t want that to happen anymore I want us to

want that to happen anymore I want us to

want that to happen anymore I want us to end this circle of pain and we’re only

end this circle of pain and we’re only

end this circle of pain and we’re only gonna do that when we start looking at

gonna do that when we start looking at

gonna do that when we start looking at our systems from a loving compassionate

our systems from a loving compassionate

our systems from a loving compassionate perspective and we all start saying this

perspective and we all start saying this

perspective and we all start saying this doesn’t feel right

doesn’t feel right

doesn’t feel right we need some change we all need to stand

we need some change we all need to stand

we need some change we all need to stand up and start fighting for a better

up and start fighting for a better

up and start fighting for a better society that is more loving and more

society that is more loving and more

society that is more loving and more compassionate because when it’s our most

compassionate because when it’s our most

compassionate because when it’s our most vulnerable children and young people

vulnerable children and young people

vulnerable children and young people that the system has failed sitting in

that the system has failed sitting in

that the system has failed sitting in our prison systems being ignored by the

our prison systems being ignored by the

our prison systems being ignored by the majority of the world something is wrong

majority of the world something is wrong

majority of the world something is wrong so if you leave here with one feeling

so if you leave here with one feeling

so if you leave here with one feeling today feel empowered because you can do

today feel empowered because you can do

today feel empowered because you can do something we can all get involved we can

something we can all get involved we can

something we can all get involved we can all be more curious to what is going on

all be more curious to what is going on

all be more curious to what is going on and we can all be a part of the movement

and we can all be a part of the movement

and we can all be a part of the movement for change thank you

for change thank you

for change thank you [Applause]

”

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