I’m going to prison.

My friend Phil McGuire runs something called the Prison Radio Association through which prisoners produce and present their own radio shows. The standard is really high and Phil, rightly proud, has invited me down to Brixton Prison to see it in action. I’ve always been a huge admirer of Linton Kwesi Johnson. He spoke out courageously during very troubled times. I’m not saying black youths are no longer victimised by the police but things have improved since the 80s. Radio stations broadcasting from prisons would have been unthinkable then. So we should salute the brave work of people like LKJ in helping to create a world in which it’s not.