Latest News | Prison Phoenix Trust

Simon wins award for helping others through yoga in prison

Prison Reform Trust CEO Pia Sinha announced Simon’s award

Simon, a mentee of The Prison Phoenix Trust, has been recognised with a Hope and Fulfilment Award from the Prison Reform Trust for his outstanding contribution to the wellbeing of others in prison.

While serving his sentence in 2 prisons, Simon created and led the Inner Strength, Movement and Breathwork course — a programme that uses yoga, meditation, and mindfulness to build resilience and emotional strength among his peers.

Celebrating Hope and Human Connection

Simon’s recognition marks the third major award for The Prison Phoenix Trust in 2025. In September, long-time volunteer Yvonne was highly commended in the BBC Make a Difference Awards after 22 years of mentoring people in prison. In May, yoga teacher Emma won the British Wheel of Yoga Heart of Yoga Award for her work teaching young offenders.

Together, Simon, Emma and Yvonne’s achievements highlight the power of human connection, compassion, and personal growth in the rehabilitation journey. Continue Reading

We are recruiting: could you be our Treasurer?

The Prison Phoenix Trust is recruiting a new voluntary position of TREASURER to join our Board of Trustees.

Who we are

We are the leading yoga charity in the UK and Ireland, sharing meditation and yoga with people in prison since 1988. Continue Reading

BBC award for Yvonne after 22 years as prison volunteer

Congratulations to Yvonne, who has been highly commended in the BBC Make a Difference Awards for her voluntary service supporting people in prison to practise yoga and meditation for 22 years.

Celebrating Hope and Human Connection

Yvonne’s recognition is one of three major awards for The Prison Phoenix Trust in 2025. In October, Simon was recognised with a Prison Reform Trust Hope and Fulfilment Award for his dedication teaching yoga and meditation to his peers while serving a prison sentence. In May, yoga teacher Emma won the British Wheel of Yoga Heart of Yoga Award for her work teaching young offenders.

Gifts in wills helped Lisa fight addiction

Brown-haired woman standing in front of tree holding a chalkboard stating "Thanks to Rachel I was supported to turn my life around in prison" On her 40th birthday, Lisa Newman was beginning an 18-month prison sentence for dealing drugs. Today, aged 52 and living in Gloucestershire, she’s a qualified addiction recovery coach, a public speaker, and a business owner. But back then, life felt completely out of control.

While in prison, Lisa came across The Prison Phoenix Trust, a charity that supports people in custody through the tools of yoga, meditation and spiritual connection. Since 1988, the charity has helped thousands of people in prisons across the UK and Ireland find calm, hope and self-belief in the most difficult circumstances.

Hear Lisa’s story on Life After Prison podcast

Lisa reached out to the charity and not long after, she heard from Caroline, a volunteer mentor. What started with a letter turned into a lifeline; made possible in part by people who leave gifts in Wills. Caroline offered encouragement and guidance by post, along with yoga books and CDs tailored to Lisa’s situation, all funded through the support that legacy giving helps to provide.

“She helped me practise yoga and meditation in my tiny cell. But more than that, she gave me emotional support,” Lisa says. “I could write about my guilt, my shame – and someone actually listened. It was the first time I felt heard and cared for in years.”

Yoga in UK prisons 2025: half-year reflection

By The Prison Phoenix Trust CEO Selina Sasse

At the Prison Phoenix Trust, the first half of 2025 has been a time of quiet transformation and steady growth, rooted always in the shared strength of our community.

At our recent Away Day, the depth of connection across The PPT community was powerfully felt. We took time to reflect on how our small staff team has grown, not only in number but in spirit. With skill and care, existing staff have welcomed new colleagues, nurturing the distinctive and deeply held culture of the Trust. Their efforts have brought fresh energy to our work, energy that is already being felt by the people we serve in prisons and beyond.

State of Yoga in Prisons: New Impact Report

Impact of yoga in prisons graphic 2024 saw a 33% increase in prisons with regular yoga classes The Prison Phoenix Trust’s new Impact Report describes a growth in demand for yoga and meditation in prisons at a time of huge challenge for prison staff – and the people their care. Continue Reading

Supporting Mental Health in Prisons, 10 Minutes at a Time

For Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, The Prison Phoenix Trust launched Give it 10 — a simple, effective yoga and mindfulness challenge for people in custody. The idea? Just 10 minutes a day for 7 days to support mental wellbeing.

The challenge was a hit, with 124 prisons and justice organisations across the UK and Ireland taking part. Prisoners and staff alike found it easy to access and genuinely helpful — especially for those new to yoga.

What’s in the Pack?

Over 130 weekly yoga classes now running in prisons

Back view of men in grey sweatshirts and joggers in yoga pose demonstrated by man in black t-shirt and shorts

The Prison Phoenix Trust (PPT) continues to build its support for people in UK and Irish prisons, offering yoga and meditation as transformative tools for rehabilitation and mental well-being. With the recent addition of courses at HMP Liverpool and HMP Hollesley Bay, regular weekly yoga sessions are now available in 52 prisons. Continue Reading

Lisa goes from prison to parliament

This month The Prison Phoenix Trust was invited to contribute to a round-table discussion in the Houses of Parliament aimed at shaping impactful policy for women in the prison, hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Sport and Physical Activity in the Criminal Justice System. Joining our yoga lead Victoria and prison yoga teacher Sandra was Lisa, who writes eloquently here about her experience of yoga in prison.

3 women smiling in front of railings with House of Lords in background

Remembering Benjamin Zephaniah

When big ideas have come and gone

There is no need to grieve,

It’s not about great speeches

It’s about the way you breathe.

Excerpt from ‘In-exhale’ by Benjamin Zephaniah for The Prison Phoenix Trust

12 April 2025 will be the first ever Benjamin Zephaniah Day to celebrate the life and legacy of ‘the people’s laureate’. It’s being marked by a Festival of Rhythm, Unity and Revolution, which will be held at Brunel University, where Benjamin served as Professor of Creative Writing. The PPT will be present alongside a host of other organisations who worked on causes dear to the late poet’s heart.

Here we look back on our relationship with the beloved poet, writer, actor and activist, and honour his memory. Continue Reading