In this powerful interview, Sev Bikim MBE, Diversity and Inclusion and Families Lead for the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Norfolk (BCN) prison group, discusses pioneering work to improve racial equity across prisons. Central to the conversation are the Equality Advocates programme and the transformation of the Discrimination Incident Reporting Form (DIRF) system—tools that have helped rebuild trust between ethnic minority prisoners and prison staff. Highlighting the innovative Wayland Pilot, Sev details how prisoner-led DIRF scrutiny panels and external oversight enhanced confidence in the complaints process, particularly among young Black prisoners. From reverse mentoring to cultural competency training and collaborative problem-solving models like CCC (Connect, Communicate, Change), this interview explores the structural, cultural, and relational changes needed to challenge systemic racism in prison. Sev’s insights offer a roadmap for embedding inclusion as a ‘golden thread’ throughout the prison estate, demonstrating how trust, fairness, and prisoner engagement can drive lasting reform.
Race, reform and the DIRF system – An interview with Sev Bikim MBE
