Ex-convict, Frank Stedman, inspires King's Ely Psychology students

We were delighted to welcome ex-prisoner turned inspirational author and public speaker, Frank Stedman, to King's! 

Frank, who served nine years in prison for his involvement in one of the UK's biggest undercover drugs busts, launched our new series of 'Psychology Bistro' lectures.

Psychology Bistro is the brainchild of Mr Sean Quinn, who is Head of Psychology at King's Ely Senior. The programme of in-person and virtual talks are organised to enrich topics that students explore in the A-Level Psychology curriculum.

Mr Quinn said: "Frank explained how he was seduced into the drugs trade by quick and easy money, and how this eventually led to him being arrested by police following one of the country's biggest undercover drug operations. Frank was sentenced to nine years in prison for his part in the £80million conspiracy. He described his time in six different prisons, including Belmarsh and Woodhill, the conditions, routines, boredom, and how the levels of violence led to him being desensitized to normal emotions.

"Frank also spoke about his transition back into society once he had been released, and the challenges that this presented for him and his family, including how his son’s earliest memory was of his dad in prison. Frank's talk was well received by the students, who listened intently and asked probing questions. The talk was particularly relevant to Year 13s, who have recently studied institutional violence, which is also relevant to broader topics, such as Free Will v Determinism, and Environmental Reductionism."

Students were also able to buy copies of Frank's autobiography, entitled 'To Be Frank'.