Alastair Campbell on Bringing Bagpipes and Politics Into Prison

This August, National Prison Radio welcomes writer and podcaster Alastair Campbell to NPR Talk.

In an insightful interview, Campbell shares his views on a number of issues affecting people serving prison sentences.

He tells NPR how being arrested saved his life, offers his views on prison reform, and shares his stories of playing the bagpipes behind bars at HMP Pentonville.

Many people will remember him as the Director of Communications and Strategy for former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

He talks about his experiences in politics and reveals how an encounter with the police made him realise he needed to take action to improve his mental health.

“I had no choice. It’s the only time in my life I was arrested: I had a psychotic breakdown. Two plain-clothes policemen picked me up and I reckon they saved my life.”