A FORMER prisoner who turned his life around after multiple spells in jail is taking centre stage in new Channel 4 show alongside six celebs to show “how broken the prison system is”.
Abdul Bangura, from Southend, revealed the show was “authentic, nerve-wracking, scary and exciting” as he spent time in prison alongside the new celebs and 19 other reformed ex-offenders.
Mr Bangura, who served 5 and a half years in prison on drugs charges, formed the award-winning meal prep service Fresco Box after leaving prison, using lessons he learned from “working in the prison kitchens”, with the company going on to sponsor Southend United.
Tragically, the mother of Mr Bangura’s daughter passed away from covid ten days after giving birth - hammering home to him how important it was he stayed and narrow.
The 33-year-old said: “I am a single father, thinking what am I going to do, suicidal and depressed but happy from the birth of my daughter.
“What kept me going was my daughter honestly, It broke me honestly but I’m coming back slowly, stereotypically I shouldn’t win, what I did was channel and use my skills.
“It’s all about personal and self-development.
“I now deliver courses and seminars for people who want to start businesses and don’t know where to start.
“Having someone that believes in you, as a young black male from Southend and having someone who believed in me was the main catalyst,” Mr Bangura said.
He added that after leaving prison behind and changing his mindset, going back to Banged Ups’ authentic prison situation was “like PTSD.”
“I felt emotions I felt back when I was in prison, the door closed and I had those feelings, for moments it felt like I was back and some people did have to leave, one man left on the first day, he just couldn’t go back to that place.
Mr Bangura hopes his presence on the show can encourage people to be more open-minded about giving opportunities and demonstrate that we are all human and deserve the chance to be better.
The show begins on October 31 on Channel 4.
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