Justice Champion Spotlight: Raphael Rowe

Tell us about your story - you were wrongfully convicted - what happened?

When I was 20 years old, I was wrongfully arrested, charged and convicted of a murder and series of robberies I did not commit. I was sentenced to life imprisonment. I spent the next 12 years inside British maximum-security prisons fighting to prove I was innocent. Myself, and two other black men were convicted despite the fact that the victims of the crimes described the perpetrators as two white men and one black man. Racism and fabricated evidence from witnesses who conspired with the police led to my being wrongly convicted. Following a ruling by a panel of judges at the European Court of Human Rights, who declared unanimously that I had been denied a fair trial, my case was referred to the British court of appeal where my convictions were ruled unsafe and I was set free.

You spent 12 years in prison, how did you get out and what did you learn?

During the 12 long years I spent in prison I studied the law and started a journalism correspondence course as I believe these two components were instrumental in what led to my wrongful imprisonment. Understanding how the law worked assisting me in challenging legal aspects of my case. Understanding how the media worked also allowed me to present my case facts to the public. This strategy assisted my family, campaigners and legal professionals in their efforts to challenge my wrongful convictions. When the media questions the authorities, in my case the judicial system, it can be a game changer.

On leaving prison, you have travelled the world and visited prisons - what have you seen works/does not work? Can you share some of your learnings?

Prisons have always been a symbolic structure that imposes a threat to society. The fear of being sent to one is used as a deterrent, but this has been questioned globally as evidence shows it does not do this, and has very little effect on the reduction of crime. The majority who end up in prison are from marginalized communities and are often racially profiled. 

When I started visiting prisons for my Netflix series ‘Inside The World's Toughest Prisons’ I had no expectations of what I would find and what it would make me feel. What I have seen is a mixture of degrading desperation, inhumane treatment, an absence of psychological support, and, in many places, a complete lack of interest (often with an equal lack of resources) to do what is needed to rehabilitate people in prison. So often I have seen people’s basic human rights not being met whilst in prison, and seen the impact this has on society. Being unable to feed people in prison, forcing them to live in conditions which do not meet even their basic needs, has a catastrophic impact on not just them, but also on their families, not to mention the lives of those who work in the prison. Without meaningful intervention such as therapy or training, people in prison are not even given the chance to break the cycle and positively change their behaviour which led to imprisonment. By giving people in prison and those who work in prisons a voice the series has provided critical information and insight that I know has changed many viewers' perception of prisons and those within their walls.

As Nelson Mandela said; “It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones.”

What have I seen has lit a fire under me to try and make positive changes in prison systems across the world. I believe passionately that we can make these changes, and that is why I have set up the Raphael Rowe Foundation.

What led you to start the Second Chances Podcast?

My Podcast is an extension of the Netflix series in that it not only continues a conversation about crime and punishment but hears from people who experience the criminal justice system from different perspectives. I often say it provides a voice for the voiceless but it is much more than that. It is a platform where people can share and explain their personal story be it a perpetrator, victim or practitioner. Listening to people talk about what a second chance means is inspirational and I hope motivational. 

You are now starting a Foundation - tell us more. What will the purpose and focus be?

I know that my work as a journalist and someone who was wrongly convicted and spent 12 years in prison, informs and educates people, but it wasn't until I visited prisons around the world that I realised much more needs to be done in this space. I believe by addressing some of the basic needs inside prisons we can improve conditions that change lives, reduce crime and assist rehabilitation and reintegration. 

In many prisons across the world basic human rights are not being met and systems are collapsing. We know that stripping people in prison of their humanity damages their mental health, increases violence, and does nothing to reintegrate them into a fractured society. We also know that positively changing prison conditions creates a safer society, both inside and outside the prison walls.

When I stand inside a prison and witness people in prison eating with their hands because the authorities are unable or unwilling to provide basic cutlery, I see an opportunity to do something practical and real. Something which will have a real impact on the lives of everyone within that prison. When I speak to people in prison who are idle, hungry and angry I discover insights like lack of education or opportunity. This does not need to be the case. 

The Raphael Rowe Foundation will look to work with those who administer prison systems throughout the world, and inspire them to abolish dehumanising, degrading and dangerous practices, putting more emphasis on the health, education, and rehabilitation of those in their care. Our vision is simple. To end dehumanisation of people in prison and build safer societies.

We will look to do this through the provision of practical solution, addressing the meeting of people in prison’s basic human needs and rights; the provision of therapeutic services, addressing their psychological needs; and the provision of interventions and training to start to meet their growth needs. 

We will adopt a collaborative approach, working in partnership with local NGOs, academic institutions, and, perhaps most importantly, governments. We will ask tough questions. Questions like ‘what can we do for people in prison beyond simply locking them up?’, ‘what is the purpose of further punishing them, and what are the dangers in doing so?’, ‘could prison be seen as an opportunity, and not just a punishment?’ and ‘what can we do for prison systems and wider society as a whole?’. 

Our work can be easily understood by looking at our 3 pillars:

Rethink - inspire systems which enable the mistreatment of people in prison to rethink their approach and challenge any prejudices which might prevent such change.

Rehumanise - Give every person in prison across the world their basic human rights.

Reintegrate - Create conditions which allow empowered and rehabilitated people in prison to be welcomed into society.

You have achieved so much since leaving prison - what does the future look like for Raphael Rowe?

My future is about enjoying my life, helping others live better lives and continuing to work with others to provide for those who need our help. I am not unrealistic and recognise the challenge I face convincing people to assist in my work or in being a voice for those who don't have a voice. But I know what it is like being silenced and how to fight back. I know what pain and suffering means, so I want to help others get through that and I know there are people who want to do the same. 

I am particularly excited to see what the Raphael Rowe Foundation can achieve. But, to be successful, we will need support. So I am looking for people who have been moved by the inhuman and degrading conditions that far too many in prison have to endure, for people who want a fairer society which respects the human rights of everyone, and for people who are not willing to remain silent when silence condones the unacceptable. 

If you were to ask me to put this into one sentence it would be this: My future is about working with others to end the dehumanization of people in prison and build safer societies.