Infamous Criminal Becomes an Advocate for Transformation & Change with John Killick

Humans of HOPE: Inspiring Stories with Kerrie Atherton

John Killick, known as Australia's greatest escape artist, has a life story marked by dramatic highs and lows. After a troubled early life, Killick turned to crime, eventually escalating from shoplifting to a series of daring bank robberies, culminating in his notorious helicopter escape from a maximum-security prison. Spending 30 out of his 80 years in prison, Killick has since reformed and dedicated his life to helping others. He is now a mentor for individuals with traumatic experiences, an advocate for child abuse survivors, and the author of three books, with proceeds supporting underprivileged and autistic children.

In this episode, Kerrie Atherton explores John Killick's remarkable journey of transformation. Killick discusses overcoming shame, the joy of helping others, and the importance of empathy. He contrasts harsh punitive measures with effective rehabilitation models, sharing insights from his criminal past and his path to reformation. The conversation also covers systemic issues in the criminal justice system, offering a poignant look at resilience, redemption, and the potential for comebacks from even the toughest situations.

John Killick's Website: https://pentridgevoices.wixsite.com/johnrkillick

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Thank you for listening to Humans of HOPE: Inspiring Stories with Kerrie Atherton.

Kerrie Atherton is an inspiring speaker and supporter of her community. To find out more about "Stories of Hope: Worldwide", head to https://storiesofhope.com.au/.

Purchase books in the "Stories of Hope" series, written by Kerrie: https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/.

If you'd like to donate to the Kintsugi Heroes mission, head to https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/donate.

With thanks to:

Music: "Pilgrims" by Daniel Pratt

Editing & Production: Matthew Bliss ([e-mail])

General Support: Ian Westmoreland (https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au)

Mentioned in this episode:

This episode was made possible by Kintsugi Heroes. If you'd like to donate to the Kintsugi Heroes mission, please head to https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/.