#292 Prison Officer Bill Allen on Physical Courage, Violent Men and Giving Up Drink

<p>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.</p> <p>In today’s episode, we talk about:</p> <ul> <li>Growing up in London after WW2</li> <li>Mars Bars coming off the ration</li> <li>How he got into prison work</li> <li>Physical courage</li> <li>War hero and friend Ken Lewis</li> <li>The Shankill Butchers</li> <li>Why rough men keep the world safe</li> <li>How a dog foiled a prison escape</li> <li>His dislike of certainty</li> <li>And 50-years of sobriety</li> </ul> <p>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.</p> <p>Check it out.</p> <p>//</p> <p><a href= "https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/bill-allen-prison-officer">https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/bill-allen-prison-officer</a></p> <p>//</p>