Former drug addict turns his life around

Dean Lloyd was so desperate to get money for drugs, he stole from the corner store 150 metres from his house. "I just ran into this shop and with the car running out the front - registered in my own name - no disguise," Dean said. "I just got so desperate." Police arrested Dean a few days later. When he got out of jail, he again began using drugs. He got married and his wife was also using drugs.

It wasn't until his wife left him and their 18-month-old daughter alone one night to get drugs, that Dean decided he had to make a change. "I had that moment of clarity," Dean said. "I thought - she (my daughter) doesn't deserve this." Dean left his wife, taking his daughter with him. He got clean in his parents' basement. Dean started working for his dad's real estate company. However, he started noticing that all of his mates kept going back to prison.

Dean decided to put his energy into helping people stay out of jail. He started Lloyd Criminal Consulting and now helps others. He is also an advocate for prison reform, saying jail should be reserved only for murderers, paedophiles and violent offenders. 

Dean spoke to Jacob Little for About Time for Justice’s weekly live recently. Listen here.

You can contact Dean here.