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

Published: Jan. 2, 2023, 5 a.m.

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\u2019s 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\u2019ve picked up along the way.

Check it out.

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https://bestofbelfast.org/stories/bill-allen-prison-officer

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