In this episode of The Criminal Connection Podcast, host Terry Stone sits down with former armed robber, author, and reformed inmate Terry Ellis. What unfolds is an unfiltered conversation packed with gritty tales, transformative insight, and powerful reflections on crime, punishment, and redemption. Terry’s journey from masterminding high-profile robberies to undergoing deep psychological therapy in prison is one of the most gripping stories you’ll hear this year.
A Life of Crime: No Guns, No Regrets
Terry Ellis wasn’t your typical criminal. Known for orchestrating sophisticated heists without the use of guns or direct violence, Ellis still found himself on the wrong end of a 17-year sentence. As he tells it, his crew had one golden rule: no weapons, no unnecessary harm.
Despite their calculated, non-violent approach, the justice system threw the book at him.
“We went in hard, yeah — but no guns, no threats, just control. I thought I’d get 10 years max… then they slapped me with 17.”
His eventual capture, after an attempted escape and a sting at an airport, set him on a path no amount of street smarts could have prepared him for.
Prison, Pain, and a Turning Point
Terry’s early days in prison weren’t about reflection — they were about survival. From violent altercations with police to failed escape attempts, he carried years of anger and trauma. But it wasn’t until he found himself in a special unit designed for therapy at HMP Grendon that his life began to change.
“It was the first time in my life someone gave me a psychologist… and that saved me.”
In group therapy with some of the UK's most heinous criminals — child killers, rapists, and serial offenders — Ellis was forced to confront his own past. The prison required full transparency from inmates.
“You sit there and say: I’m Tony, I’m a robber. And then you hear, ‘I’m Neil, I killed my whole family.’ It was like AA for the worst people you could imagine.”
What shocked him the most wasn’t just the crimes others had committed, but how therapy — as repulsive as it sometimes felt being surrounded by monsters — began to work for him. It brought healing from childhood abuse, loss, shame, and misdirected rage.
Writing as a Lifeline
Through this painful period, Terry began to write. Given just a pad and pen, he started journaling his thoughts and feelings — and something shifted.
“All the anger, all the stuff I’d bottled up… it poured out of me.”
This journaling evolved into his first book, Living Amongst the Beasts, an honest account of his time in therapy with some of society’s most reviled inmates. The book was initially banned in prisons but later allowed — and went on to find success.
He followed up with The Final Countdown to My Freedom, focusing on his last year behind bars and the systemic failures of prison rehabilitation.
A Brutal Look at the UK Prison System
Terry pulls no punches when discussing the UK's criminal justice system. From the lack of mental health care to the high rates of recidivism, his critique is damning:
“Prison doesn’t rehabilitate. It’s a business model. If it worked, thousands of people would lose their jobs — judges, barristers, prison officers.”
He recounts how housing promises for released prisoners are regularly broken and explains how the system manipulates statistics to appear successful while letting people fall through the cracks.
“They made me sign a fake address just to get a travel warrant. That counted as ‘housing.’ I pitched a tent outside the prison just to make a point.”
It’s a system designed to fail — and one Terry believes needs a total rethink.
From Cell to Screen: ‘Banged Up’ and a New Life
Post-prison, Terry faced rejection after rejection when applying for jobs — even in security. But through his work on the show Banged Up, he found a new platform to share his story and influence change. The reality show saw celebrities live among former inmates in a simulated prison environment.
“They came in thinking it was all PlayStations and pool tables. We showed them it’s fear, isolation, and 23 hours locked in.”
He helped shatter media-driven myths and foster empathy by showcasing what real prison life feels like.
Faith, Family, and Fighting Cancer
Perhaps the most poignant chapter of Terry’s journey is the present. Now a Christian, he lives a clean life with his girlfriend, daughters, and dogs. He has traded crime for creativity, writing, and film production.
But a recent cancer diagnosis — first a scare with colon cancer, followed by confirmation of aggressive prostate cancer — has brought a new kind of fight.
“No symptoms, nothing. Just a checkup. Now I’m facing chemo and maybe worse — but I’m optimistic. I’ve beaten bigger things.”
He’s now writing a new book chronicling his battle with cancer and encouraging other men to get checked.
What’s Next: A Movie, a Mission, and More
Terry isn’t slowing down. He’s working on turning Verizon — a screenplay based on his life — into a full-blown film. He’s also busy building a family business, mentoring young people, and using his story to drive real change.
“I’ve had a mad life. But everything I went through — the robberies, prison, therapy, even this cancer — has brought me here. And I’m grateful.”
Final Words: Get Checked, Stay Grateful
One of the most important takeaways from Terry’s story is the reminder to look after your health. With over 97% of podcast listeners being men, this message is loud and clear:
“Go and get checked. You don’t need symptoms to get cancer. Don’t wait. Book that appointment.”
Terry Ellis's story is one of chaos, consequence, and ultimately — courage. He’s proof that it’s never too late to change, to heal, and to start a new chapter.