In this week's episode of Cellmate To CEO, Tony is joined by Abdul Bangura, founder and CEO of aviation business ALAC Group.

Abdul first went to prison at 18 and served three separate sentences before being released for the last time in 2015. Determined to turn his life around, he started a healthy meal-prep business, Fresco Box, using an idea inspired by the prison kitchens. What began with a handful of customers and meals cooked in his mum's kitchen quickly grew into an award-winning business.

But when the pandemic brought Fresco Box to an end, Abdul found himself starting again. With no experience in aviation, he took an idea he'd written down years earlier and began building what would become ALAC Group.

Abdul talks to Tony about the importance of mentors, transferring skills from prison into business, dealing with grief and setbacks, and why earning money legitimately has given him a greater sense of achievement than anything he experienced in his previous life.

He also discusses his latest venture, From the Wing to the Wing, which is helping people in prison develop confidence to pursue careers in aviation.

Useful links:

• The Forward Trust: Enterprise coaching, business mentoring and support for people looking to start their own business.
• Switchback: Mentoring and practical support for young men leaving prison in London.
• New Futures Network: Helping people in prison access employment opportunities on release.
• ALAC Group: Abdul’s aviation business, delivering highly effective component supply chain solutions to transform Global Aviation Logistics.
• From the Wing to the Wing CIC: Creating structured, technical pathways for people with lived experience of the criminal justice system into careers in aviation.
• Abdul’s Life After Prison episode with Zak and Jules

Contact us:

If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us.

💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok

📧 Email: podcasts@prison.radio

✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF

🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/

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In this episode Tony talks to Richard Brice. Richard is the founder and CEO of Clean Slate Solutions, an organisation helping people with convictions move into employment.

Richard talks to Tony about how addiction took over his life, eventually leading to prison, and the role faith and recovery played in helping him rebuild.

Richard also shares how the idea for Clean Slate Solutions began while he was still in prison, after seeing both the number of people preparing for release who wanted to work, and employers who were open to giving people a second chance. He talks about building the organisation from scratch, rebuilding trust in his personal life, and what he's learned about leadership along the way.

Richard also reflects on the importance of staying clean and sober, and what it means to him now to be a reliable dad, son and husband.

Useful organisations:

• Clean Slate Solutions - supports people with convictions into employment, while working with employers to create opportunities for people leaving prison.
• Rebelution - An organisation working to address some of the wider barriers people can face after prison, including resettlement and housing.
• Cocaine Anonymous UK - fellowship and peer support for people who want to stop using cocaine and other mind-altering substances.
• Narcotics Anonymous UK - peer-support meetings for people who want help with drug addiction..
• Alcoholics Anonymous - support for people who want to stop drinking.
• FRANK - confidential information and advice around drugs and getting help.
• Samaritans - providing free, confidential emotional support to anyone who is struggling or in distress, 24 hours a day.
• Unlock - practical information and support for people with convictions, particularly around disclosure, employment and rebuilding after a conviction.
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• Nacro - support and advice around resettlement, criminal records, housing and employment after prison.

Contact us:

If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us.

💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok

📧 Email: podcasts@prison.radio

✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF

🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're sharing the live recording of our show at the 2026 London Podcast Festival. It was truly an incredible experience, we're so grateful for to our guests and all of you who attended!

Joining us on the day was Lord Dr Michael Hastings, a member of the House of Lords, educator, business executive and holds who a key voice in the Criminal justice system. He is the founder of Men of Purpose, a community built around mentorship and creating positive futures.

Alongside him were two men who have personally benefited from this amazing work: Corey White Sr and Karim Douglas.

Organisations: Second Chance Partnership - Connects prison leavers directly with businesses to secure paid employment upon their release. By providing guaranteed jobs and ongoing mentorship, the initiative helps companies fill vacancies while reducing re-offending rates.

Contact us:

If anything you’ve heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you’d just like to get in touch, please contact us.

💬 Socials: @afterprisonpod on Instagram and X, @lifeafterprison on TikTok

📧 Email: podcasts@prison.radio

✉️ Write: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF

🖥️ Website: https://lifeafterprisonpod.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.