In this episode of Locked up Living, Naomi Murphy and David Jones discuss the life of Keith Grounsell, a veteran police officer with nearly 30 years of experience in the field. Keith has spent much of his career navigating the perilous world of undercover operations, infiltrating drug cartels and exposing corruption at the highest levels. Keith shares his harrowing experiences, from the adrenaline-fueled moments of deep undercover work to the psychological toll of living a double life. He explains how he balanced the constant danger with his commitment to integrity and justice, all while maintaining a strong family life. Keith opens up about the challenges of facing violent criminals, the mental strain of deception, and the sacrifices made along the way. He also discusses the importance of mental health, faith, and writing as tools for coping with trauma. This episode offers a rare glimpse into the personal and professional growth of a man dedicated to making a difference, despite the risks. Whether you're interested in law enforcement, personal development, or the impact of a high-stakes career on family life, this conversation promises to be both enlightening and inspiring. Listen to hear Keith's insights on leadership, resilience, and the ongoing fight for justice in a world fraught with danger and corruption.

keywords

law enforcement, undercover operations, leadership, integrity, mental health, crime, drug trafficking, corruption, resilience, public safety

key topics

Deep undercover operations and their psychological impact

Leadership challenges and integrity in law enforcement

The fight against drug trafficking and organized crime

sound bites

"Stress management is crucial for officers"

"Undercover work is scrutinized like no other"

"Integrity is the foundation of law enforcement"

Chapters

00:00 Keith Grounsell: A Journey Through Undercover Work

07:32 The Psychological Toll of Undercover Operations

12:04 The Drive for Excellence and Leadership

16:58 Facing the Consequences of Law Enforcement

22:55 The Struggles of Integrity in Law Enforcement

31:59 Understanding Human Trafficking and Its Roots

33:55 The Impact of Digital Exposure on Youth

34:53 The Psychological Toll of Undercover Work

40:58 The Journey of Writing and Storytelling

45:26 Navigating Relationships Amidst Public Scrutiny

50:06 Faith, Fitness, and Mental Resilience

56:14 The Unyielding Drive for Justice

01:01:23 Ten second outro video.mp4

resources

Keith Grounsell's Books - https://grounsellbooks.com/

https://igilacademy.com/

Law Enforcement Leader, Anti-Corruption Advocate, Master Instructor and AuthorWith over 26 years of leadership in law enforcement and international advisory roles, Keith Grounsell has built a career defined by integrity, resilience, and a relentless fight against corruption. As a two-time Chief of Police, former DEA Special Agent, and Senior Law Enforcement Advisor on U.S. Department of State and UN contracts, Keith has led in some of the world’s most demanding environments. His leadership has resulted in criminal convictions of corrupt officials, solidifying his role as an advocate for ethical leadership.Keith’s deep undercover work, captured in his A Narc’s Tale book series, inspired the A&E series Undercover: Caught on Tape, offering audiences raw insights into the challenges of law enforcement. His experiences working with over 30 countries—through post-hurricanes, pandemics like Ebola, civil wars, and more—equip him to speak powerfully on leadership under pressure, crisis management, and strategic planning in unpredictable environments.A published author of eight books, Keith also consulted on an award-winning human trafficking film, underscoring his dedication to justice and human rights. As a speaker, Keith captivates audiences with topics such as leadership, ethical decision-making, perseverance, working deep undercover, human trafficking, and overcoming adversity in challenging environments.His real-world experience and passion for integrity make Keith a sought-after keynote speaker and author. Whether addressing leadership challenges, career development, or community relations, his presentations and books inspire audiences to lead with purpose and create lasting change.

In this episode of Locked up Living, Naomi Murphy and David Jones discuss the life of Keith Grounsell, a veteran police officer with nearly 30 years of experience in the field. Keith has spent much of his career navigating the perilous world of undercover operations, infiltrating drug cartels and exposing corruption at the highest levels. Keith shares his harrowing experiences, from the adrenaline-fueled moments of deep undercover work to the psychological toll of living a double life. He explains how he balanced the constant danger with his commitment to integrity and justice, all while maintaining a strong family life. Keith opens up about the challenges of facing violent criminals, the mental strain of deception, and the sacrifices made along the way. He also discusses the importance of mental health, faith, and writing as tools for coping with trauma. This episode offers a rare glimpse into the personal and professional growth of a man dedicated to making a difference, despite the risks. Whether you're interested in law enforcement, personal development, or the impact of a high-stakes career on family life, this conversation promises to be both enlightening and inspiring. Listen to hear Keith's insights on leadership, resilience, and the ongoing fight for justice in a world fraught with danger and corruption.

keywords

law enforcement, undercover operations, leadership, integrity, mental health, crime, drug trafficking, corruption, resilience, public safety

key topics

Deep undercover operations and their psychological impact

Leadership challenges and integrity in law enforcement

The fight against drug trafficking and organized crime

sound bites

"Stress management is crucial for officers"

"Undercover work is scrutinized like no other"

"Integrity is the foundation of law enforcement"

Chapters

00:00 Keith Grounsell: A Journey Through Undercover Work

07:32 The Psychological Toll of Undercover Operations

12:04 The Drive for Excellence and Leadership

16:58 Facing the Consequences of Law Enforcement

22:55 The Struggles of Integrity in Law Enforcement

31:59 Understanding Human Trafficking and Its Roots

33:55 The Impact of Digital Exposure on Youth

34:53 The Psychological Toll of Undercover Work

40:58 The Journey of Writing and Storytelling

45:26 Navigating Relationships Amidst Public Scrutiny

50:06 Faith, Fitness, and Mental Resilience

56:14 The Unyielding Drive for Justice

01:01:23 Ten second outro video.mp4

resources

Keith Grounsell's Books - https://grounsellbooks.com/

https://igilacademy.com/

Law Enforcement Leader, Anti-Corruption Advocate, Master Instructor and AuthorWith over 26 years of leadership in law enforcement and international advisory roles, Keith Grounsell has built a career defined by integrity, resilience, and a relentless fight against corruption. As a two-time Chief of Police, former DEA Special Agent, and Senior Law Enforcement Advisor on U.S. Department of State and UN contracts, Keith has led in some of the world’s most demanding environments. His leadership has resulted in criminal convictions of corrupt officials, solidifying his role as an advocate for ethical leadership.Keith’s deep undercover work, captured in his A Narc’s Tale book series, inspired the A&E series Undercover: Caught on Tape, offering audiences raw insights into the challenges of law enforcement. His experiences working with over 30 countries—through post-hurricanes, pandemics like Ebola, civil wars, and more—equip him to speak powerfully on leadership under pressure, crisis management, and strategic planning in unpredictable environments.A published author of eight books, Keith also consulted on an award-winning human trafficking film, underscoring his dedication to justice and human rights. As a speaker, Keith captivates audiences with topics such as leadership, ethical decision-making, perseverance, working deep undercover, human trafficking, and overcoming adversity in challenging environments.His real-world experience and passion for integrity make Keith a sought-after keynote speaker and author. Whether addressing leadership challenges, career development, or community relations, his presentations and books inspire audiences to lead with purpose and create lasting change.

Join Dr Naomi Murphy and David Jones as they delve into the transformative power of literature within the criminal justice system, through the inspiring insights of Jean Trounstine. An author, activist, and educator, Jean shares her decades of work supporting incarcerated women, the arts behind bars, and her journey creating impactful stories that challenge perceptions of justice and rehabilitation. Her first novel, 'Sounds like trouble to me' is released on 12th May.

In this episode, we cover:

• Jean’s personal journey into prison education and theatre
• The role of arts and literature in fostering rehabilitation
• Differences between the US and England in prison programming
• The impact of classic literature, including Shakespeare, behind bars
• The significance of the Me Too movement in prison reform
• The process of researching and ensuring authenticity in her writing
• How storytelling can reveal the humanity of incarcerated women
• The community and bonds formed among women in prison
• Challenges and opportunities in addressing sensitive topics like abuse and trauma
• Jean’s current projects and future plans for her writing

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Jean Trounstine and her work in prison theatre 02:06 - How literature and theatre started shaping her activism 04:22 - The unique setting of Framingham Women’s Prison and its history 05:50 - The decline in prison arts programs in the US 06:42 - Comparing approaches to prison arts in England and the US 08:33 - Plans to bring Shakespeare to women in prison 10:02 - The importance of exposing prisoners to classical texts 12:03 - Jean’s pioneering work directing Shakespeare in prison worldwide 13:46 - Her journey from memoir to fiction with her novel “Sounds Like Trouble to Me” 15:20 - True stories inspiring her novel 16:18 - The uprising at Dublin’s federal prison and its influence on her work 17:39 - The development of her characters inspired by real women 19:26 - Building authenticity for prison-related details and legal accuracy 22:03 - The storytelling process and discovering the narrative organically 24:14 - The message of hope and resilience in her book, “Sounds Like Trouble to Me” 25:52 - Addressing abuse, trauma, and societal myths about women in prison 29:49 - The impact of her work on understanding and rethinking incarceration 33:07 - The significance of the Me Too movement in her narratives 37:42 - The importance of friendship and solidarity among women in prison 40:54 - Personal stories that highlight vulnerability and connection 43:56 - The influence of risk-taking and building trust through theatre 48:48 - The “Changing Life Through Literature” program and its success 54:22 - Upcoming projects and the future of Jean’s writing and activism

Join Dr Naomi Murphy and David Jones as they delve into the transformative power of literature within the criminal justice system, through the inspiring insights of Jean Trounstine. An author, activist, and educator, Jean shares her decades of work supporting incarcerated women, the arts behind bars, and her journey creating impactful stories that challenge perceptions of justice and rehabilitation. Her first novel, 'Sounds like trouble to me' is released on 12th May.

In this episode, we cover:

• Jean’s personal journey into prison education and theatre
• The role of arts and literature in fostering rehabilitation
• Differences between the US and England in prison programming
• The impact of classic literature, including Shakespeare, behind bars
• The significance of the Me Too movement in prison reform
• The process of researching and ensuring authenticity in her writing
• How storytelling can reveal the humanity of incarcerated women
• The community and bonds formed among women in prison
• Challenges and opportunities in addressing sensitive topics like abuse and trauma
• Jean’s current projects and future plans for her writing

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Jean Trounstine and her work in prison theatre 02:06 - How literature and theatre started shaping her activism 04:22 - The unique setting of Framingham Women’s Prison and its history 05:50 - The decline in prison arts programs in the US 06:42 - Comparing approaches to prison arts in England and the US 08:33 - Plans to bring Shakespeare to women in prison 10:02 - The importance of exposing prisoners to classical texts 12:03 - Jean’s pioneering work directing Shakespeare in prison worldwide 13:46 - Her journey from memoir to fiction with her novel “Sounds Like Trouble to Me” 15:20 - True stories inspiring her novel 16:18 - The uprising at Dublin’s federal prison and its influence on her work 17:39 - The development of her characters inspired by real women 19:26 - Building authenticity for prison-related details and legal accuracy 22:03 - The storytelling process and discovering the narrative organically 24:14 - The message of hope and resilience in her book, “Sounds Like Trouble to Me” 25:52 - Addressing abuse, trauma, and societal myths about women in prison 29:49 - The impact of her work on understanding and rethinking incarceration 33:07 - The significance of the Me Too movement in her narratives 37:42 - The importance of friendship and solidarity among women in prison 40:54 - Personal stories that highlight vulnerability and connection 43:56 - The influence of risk-taking and building trust through theatre 48:48 - The “Changing Life Through Literature” program and its success 54:22 - Upcoming projects and the future of Jean’s writing and activism

Barbara Rawlings is a retired sociologist originally gaining her PhD in 1980 from Manchester University with an ethnography of a therapeutic community. She has specialised in qualitive research in a variety of public sector settings and particularly in therapeutic communities. These have been in both community and forensic settings, and have been both democratic therapeutic communities and the more hierarchical TCs which work with drug addiction. She is a co-opted member of CSAAP (Correctional Services Acccreditation and Advice Panel) and most recently has worked on research into the Living Learning Experience (LLE) which is an international training programme for therapeutic community staff.

summary

This interview with Barbara Rawlings explores the world of therapeutic communities, contrasting hierarchical and democratic models, their histories, and their impact on treatment outcomes. Discover insights into staff roles, community dynamics, and the importance of environment in recovery.

keywords

therapeutic communities, hierarchical vs democratic, addiction treatment, mental health, prison rehabilitation, community therapy, personality disorders, recovery models

key topics

Differences between hierarchical and democratic therapeutic communities History and origins of therapeutic communities in addiction and psychiatry Role of staff and residents in community dynamics Impact of environment and social time on recovery Challenges and successes in prison therapeutic communities

sound bites

"In democratic communities, everyone is almost an equal." "Enabling environments reflect real community life." "Mirroring behavior helps understand and change actions."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Therapeutic Communities 03:16 Understanding Hierarchical vs. Democratic Therapeutic Communities 06:40 The Role of Staff in Therapeutic Communities 10:23 Length of Stay and Treatment Duration 13:54 Research Insights on Therapeutic Communities 18:37 Defining Success in Therapeutic Communities 29:52 The Importance of Aftercare in Reintegration 32:48 Evolution of Therapeutic Communities 34:30 Active Ingredients of Democratic Therapeutic Communities 36:19 Understanding Offence Paralleling Behavior 39:58 Creating a Reflective Environment in Prisons 43:24 Accreditation and Program Integrity in Therapeutic Communities 49:35 The Role of Community and Fun in Therapeutic Settings 52:50 Ten second outro video.mp4

Barbara Rawlings is a retired sociologist originally gaining her PhD in 1980 from Manchester University with an ethnography of a therapeutic community. She has specialised in qualitive research in a variety of public sector settings and particularly in therapeutic communities. These have been in both community and forensic settings, and have been both democratic therapeutic communities and the more hierarchical TCs which work with drug addiction. She is a co-opted member of CSAAP (Correctional Services Acccreditation and Advice Panel) and most recently has worked on research into the Living Learning Experience (LLE) which is an international training programme for therapeutic community staff.

summary

This interview with Barbara Rawlings explores the world of therapeutic communities, contrasting hierarchical and democratic models, their histories, and their impact on treatment outcomes. Discover insights into staff roles, community dynamics, and the importance of environment in recovery.

keywords

therapeutic communities, hierarchical vs democratic, addiction treatment, mental health, prison rehabilitation, community therapy, personality disorders, recovery models

key topics

Differences between hierarchical and democratic therapeutic communities History and origins of therapeutic communities in addiction and psychiatry Role of staff and residents in community dynamics Impact of environment and social time on recovery Challenges and successes in prison therapeutic communities

sound bites

"In democratic communities, everyone is almost an equal." "Enabling environments reflect real community life." "Mirroring behavior helps understand and change actions."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Therapeutic Communities 03:16 Understanding Hierarchical vs. Democratic Therapeutic Communities 06:40 The Role of Staff in Therapeutic Communities 10:23 Length of Stay and Treatment Duration 13:54 Research Insights on Therapeutic Communities 18:37 Defining Success in Therapeutic Communities 29:52 The Importance of Aftercare in Reintegration 32:48 Evolution of Therapeutic Communities 34:30 Active Ingredients of Democratic Therapeutic Communities 36:19 Understanding Offence Paralleling Behavior 39:58 Creating a Reflective Environment in Prisons 43:24 Accreditation and Program Integrity in Therapeutic Communities 49:35 The Role of Community and Fun in Therapeutic Settings 52:50 Ten second outro video.mp4

In this episode Naomi and David explore with Sophie and Nujoji the nuanced experiences of women in prison who are convicted of murder, through the lens of therapeutic community research. We delve into the processes of change, identity reconstruction, and the significance of relational work in high-security settings.

In this episode:

• The motivations behind working in women's prisons and the therapeutic community at HMP Send
• Unique challenges faced by women convicted of murder and how their identities are shaped by societal labels
• The importance of being nimble and relational in unpredictable prison environments
• The role and impact of labels such as "murderer" on personal identity and social perceptions
• Methodological insights: Why interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was chosen for this research
• Key themes: honesty, discomfort, turbulence, and their roles in psychological growth
• The significance of belonging, love, and trust in healing and change processes
• Staff strategies for supporting women through turbulence and maintaining professionalism amidst emotional challenges
• Addressing racial biases and the importance of reflexivity within prison-based services
• How staff self-care and team cohesion foster a therapeutic milieu under complex circumstances

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to research on women in therapeutic prison communities 02:02 - Nujoji and Sophie’s backgrounds and motivations 06:23 - Distinctiveness of the women's therapeutic community and research importance 09:11 - Why interpretive phenomenological analysis was chosen 10:36 - Participants' experiences of being labeled as "murderers" 13:42 - The cycle of labels, fear, and identity 16:00 - Society's role in condemning and the potential for change 20:08 - Constructing the idea of being loved in a prison context 23:22 - Moments of insight and change in therapeutic groups 28:19 - The dynamics of group work and the impact of honesty and discomfort 33:07 - Supporting women in tolerating turbulence and emotional regulation 37:17 - The importance of boundaries and team dynamics in group settings 44:10 - How large community groups help realign therapeutic processes 48:50 - Addressing racial undertones and service reflection 54:18 - The unique position of male staff working with women in prison 58:36 - The relational nature of identity, difference, and race in therapy 60:26 - Protecting staff well-being in emotionally charged environments 64:24 - Concluding thoughts on memory, self-recrimination, and ongoing growth

This episode offers deep reflections on the complexity of prison-based therapeutic work, crucial for practitioners, policymakers, and anyone interested in the transformative potential within high-security environments.