James Crystal, 31, today a social entrepreneur, public speaker, mentor and mental wellbeing advocate, was first sent to prison aged 19. Later, in 2017, he was released at the age of 23 and now looks back on his turbulent younger years and reflects: “I'm really glad I went to prison because it saved my life.”
Now he dedicates himself to helping others avoid going to prison and become addicted to drugs, as he was. He says he had “an expensive cocaine and opiate addiction”, as a result of which he lived through (in his own words) the death of friends, the loss of friends and family, a complete loss of self-worth, numerous court appearances, two custodial prison sentences, mental ill health and complete, visceral, soul-destroying darkness.
His main area of focus during the current 2024/25 academic year is touring the UK to deliver drug prevention talks to young people in schools and colleges. He says he has “had the privilege of” talking at organisations like the Home Office, Bank of England, Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office, also universities, colleges, schools, conferences and other events. He mentors young people in prison helping prepare them to get released. He's a regular panellist at inspirational talks. “I don't beat around the bush,” he says. “It's real comment, raw and unfiltered”.
The glowing testimonials he receives far and wide are a clue to the impact he has on his audiences. He is setting up a charity named ‘Released To Change’ with the aim of helping youngsters coming out of prison trying to find their way in society. The charity is launching soon and James is currently looking for investors.
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