The sensory safe rooms changing lives in prison
For 20 years, Stephen's been on a constant rinse and repeat cycle in and out of prison, but says being on Pentonville鈥檚 neurodiverse unit is helping him change.
Stephen's got ADHD, dyslexia and learning difficulties. He also has a heroin addiction. He's currently serving time at HMP Pentonville. For 20 years, he鈥檚 been on a constant rinse and repeat cycle in and out of prison but says being on Pentonville鈥檚 neurodiverse unit is helping him change. Prison is a particularly challenging place for those with complex needs. Routines are imposed, metal doors slam, voices are raised and frustrations can boil over into violent and self-destructive behaviours. The unit's sensory room and group sessions aim to counter that.
In this episode of our 5 Minutes On podcast, our health reporter Lucy Watkinson spends a few days with Stephen to understand how the unit and staff at Pentonville are helping him to break the cycle.
