Jan 2, 2023
Bill Allen (William Frank Allen) is an ex-prison officer who worked in the Crumlin Road Jail and Maze Prison at the height of the troubles.
In today’s episode, we talk about:
- Growing up in London after WW2
- Mars Bars coming off the ration
- How he got into prison work
- Physical courage
- War hero and friend Ken Lewis
- The Shankill Butchers
- Why rough men keep the world safe
- How a dog foiled a prison escape
- His dislike of certainty
- And 50-years of sobriety
This conversation is part of our Wild Wisdom mini-series in partnership with Sai Kelly where we talk with older men about what masculinity means to them, the experiences that shaped them and the hard-earned lessons they’ve picked up along the way.
Check it out.
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https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/bill-allen-prison-officer
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