Freedom Is a Must - a podcast by BBC Radio 4

Robyn Travis believes that labelling children as criminals is counterproductive in the fight against violence. He says they need to be freed from the mentality that keeps them as "prisoners to the streets". "It deeply saddens me that the media, film makers and rappers alike see a beneficial gain in telling stories which further criminalise the youth of today and yesterday without losing sleep. I don't see gang members, I see prisoners to the streets." He believes in prevention rather than intervention, calling for primary school children to be taught how to avoid conflict, and for parents to stop saying, "if someone hits you, hit them back".

Robyn Travis is the author of Prisoner to the Streets, Mama Can't Raise No Man and Freedom from the Streets

Presenter: Olly Mann
Producer: Sheila Cook

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