Pratik Doshi, 30, who served a two-year sentence for drug offences, is now advocating for prison reform and racial equality in prisons. Doshi, who was convicted in 2017 for conspiracy to supply cannabis and possession with intent to supply cannabis, said he experienced significant shame during his time in prison.
Since his release, Doshi has been working for Breakthrough Social Enterprise, a government-funded initiative. This enterprise runs workshops across the country, including in Suffolk and Norfolk, to help former convicts develop IT and artificial technology skills to secure employment.
Doshi's childhood friend and co-defendant, Sobanan Narenthiran, 30, who also served a two-year sentence for conspiracy to supply cannabis, is now the CEO of Breakthrough Social Enterprise. Both men served part of their sentences at HMP Exeter.
Narenthiran stated that racial slurs were commonly used by staff and inmates in prison. People from minority ethnic groups make up approximately 27% of the prison population, compared with 18% of the general population. HMP Exeter published an action plan earlier this year, which includes introducing an equality liaison officer for each residential wing as a point of contact for prisoners to raise equality, diversity, and inclusivity concerns.
Earlier this month, Doshi and Narenthiran visited Parliament to advocate for greater racial equality within prisons.