Behind the Crime

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Documentaries

Factual: Crime & Justice

Is it possible to prevent crime by understanding the root causes of offending behaviour?

Two forensic psychologists talk to people who have received court sentences for their crimes to understand what drove them to offend, and crucially, what might help them change.

As a society, we send close to 100,000 people to prison each year. Criminal behaviour costs the country around £60 billion every year, according to Home Office research. 

Is it possible to prevent crime by understanding the root causes of offending behaviour?

Sally Tilt and Dr Kerensa Hocken are forensic psychologists who work in prisons.

Their role is to help people in prison to look at the harm they've caused to other people, understand why it happened and work out how to make changes to prevent further harm after they've been released.

In Behind the Crime, they take the time to understand the life of someone whose crimes have led to harm and, in some cases, imprisonment.

BBC Radio 4 FM

Behind the Crime: Liam

Liam

BBC Radio 4 - Behind the Crime, Liam

Sally and Kerensa talk to Liam about care, crime and justice

Sally and Kerensa meet Liam, whose chaotic upbringing has led him to prison.

Liam was picked up by the police on the way to his grandmother’s grave. 
He was in possession of a bladed article and some cannabis. His life had hit rock bottom and he says he was on his way to take his own life at the location where his beloved grandmother is buried. He received a prison sentence.
Liam is a young transgender man. His parents struggled with poverty, disability and addiction issues. Liam was removed from his home and taken into local authority care at an early age. This was the start of an unbelievably chaotic chain of care placements, violent outbursts, runaways and encounters with the police.
Dr Sally Tilt and Dr Kerensa Hocken are forensic psychologists who work in prisons. Their job is to help people in prison understand the harm they’ve caused, identify why it happened and work out how to make changes to prevent further harm after they’ve been released.
In Behind the Crime, they take the time to understand the life of someone whose crimes have led to harm and prison.
Through this extended interview with Liam, recorded months after his release from prison, we get to the heart of his behaviour.
For details of organisations that can provide help and support, visit bbc.co.uk/actionline

Producer: Andrew Wilkie
Editor: Clare Fordham  
Behind the Crime is a co-production between BBC Long Form Audio and the Prison Radio Association.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Behind the Crime

Liam

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4