Maria Arpa
This week…
Transforming Lives After Prison
With..
Fiona Sample
In the latest episode of All Things Conflict, I welcome Fiona Sample, the passionate and fearless CEO of The Oswin Project, an organisation dedicated to helping individuals with criminal convictions rebuild their lives through meaningful employment and community support.
Fiona is known for her refreshing honesty and bold approach to social change, and this conversation offers a powerful look into what true rehabilitation can achieve when communities step up.
🌱 Creating Second Chances Through Work and Community
The Oswin Project has become a beacon of hope for many, thanks to its innovative employment pathways, including:
- A thriving café and bakery initiative within HMP Northumberland
- Training programmes that build real-world skills
- Community partnerships that open doors to long-term employment
These initiatives don’t just provide jobs, they create dignity, purpose, and belonging for people determined to turn their lives around.
Overcoming Systemic Barriers
Setting up rehabilitation programmes within the criminal justice system is no easy task.
Fiona opens up about:
- Funding challenges
- Bureaucratic obstacles
- Institutional resistance
…and how perseverance, community backing, and a strong belief in people can overcome even the toughest barriers.
🏛️ Rethinking the Purpose of Prisons
One of the most powerful threads in this episode is the discussion around:
- What prisons are really for
- Whether punishment alone leads to change
- The urgent need to shift towards rehabilitation and reintegration
Fiona argues passionately that when we focus on rebuilding lives rather than simply penalising, we reduce reoffending, strengthen communities, and create safer societies for everyone.
Fiona also puts forward her courageous vision for reforming the categorisation of sex offenders, aiming to create clearer pathways to rehabilitation where appropriate.
It’s a challenging topic, and one she believes we must confront openly if we want meaningful change.
Watch the episode now, and be part of the conversation.
And don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more insightful discussions from All Things Conflict!Dialogue Road Map 2026
I’m looking for a specific, small group of people to work with for the next round of my flagship training, Dialogue Road Map, in 2026.
Here’s who I’m looking for:
- You want to develop a personal and practical toolkit for navigating internal and external conflict with grace and precision in order to make better decisions.
- You lead people in an established business or as part of a portfolio.
- You have organisational responsibilities which may include competing priorities across a range of stakeholders.
- You have some understanding of customer service.
- You are willing to implement and apply this methodology after completing the training, either in private practice or within an organisation.
- You can commit to travelling to London for four in-person training modules (12 days total) and 8 sessions online across 2026.
- You can dedicate approximately 4 hours per month to ongoing practice and supervision throughout 2026.
- You’re willing to invest in tools that will last a lifetime.
If this sounds like you (or even if you check most of the boxes) reply to my email or sign up below and tell me a bit about your current situation, your community, and how my training may be able to help you.
We’ll be selecting participants over the next few weeks.
If you like this blog or content please share it with others.