Stephen spent a total of 7 years in 7 American and 12 British prisons between 2008-2015 after being given a 13-year sentence for armed robbery offences on banks and bookmakers. This was subsequently reduced to 12 years in relation to a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome. Whilst in UK custody, he wrote articles and poems that were regularly featured in the national prisoner magazine, Inside Time, won several Koestler Awards, and was included in Dawntreader and Sarasvati.

After release, he founded the social enterprise Arkbound with support from the Princes Trust, which is now managed by the Arkbound Foundation. The charity’s work includes supporting people from a range of disadvantaged backgrounds to develop their writing abilities. Stephen has taken part in international academic studies with Aalborg University and the Council of Europe. He is passionate about social justice, including the treatment of people in custody, and continues to act as a mentor for people in these circumstances or those who have just left prison. He is also keenly involved in environmentalism and action to tackle climate change.