Context
Working on offenders’ literacy in its widest sense – not only the ability to read and write but also to communicate well and to understand, connect and empathise with others – is essential for employment and for developing a new sense of self and a future free from offending.
This PrisonerActionNet conference - presented by Lemos&Crane working with The Monument Trust - will set out a new framework for understanding the role and purpose of literacy in the lives of offenders, and present new ideas and examples of innovation to inspire all those working to reduce reoffending, whether in prisons or in the community.
Key themes
- Literacy skills for learning and employment
- Understanding people’s motivation for improving their literacy
- Peer-to-peer teaching and support
- Improving communication with family members
- Emotional expression and life re-narration
- Empathising with others
- Reading and discussion groups
- Literary celebrations and festivals
Contributors
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
- Gerard Lemos, partner at Lemos&Crane, and PrisonerActionNet project director, on the role of literacy in helping people to stop re-offending
IMPROVING ENGAGEMENT and MOTIVATION
- Alan Smith, HMYOI Brinsford; Genevieve Clarke, Programme Manager, The Reading Agency; Mona Banerjee, Librarian, HMP Pentonville; Chris Emmett, Learning and Skills Co-ordinator, and Sue Whale, OLASS Manager, HMP Erlestoke in discussion about effective methods, approaches and resources for engaging and motivating offenders
SELF- EXPRESSION and SELF-AWARENESS
- Michael Crowley, Writer in Residence, HMP/YOI Lancaster Farms and author of Behind the Lines on using creative writing with young offenders to improve literacy and self-awareness
IMPROVING COMMUNICATION and EMPATHY
- Charlotte Weinberg, Executive Director, Safe Ground on the Family Man programme that uses drama and group work to develop offenders’ social skills and to help them understand the benefit of being part of a family and a community
- Marina Cantacuzino, Director, The Forgiveness Project, on helping prisoners consider how their actions have affected others and how they might repair the harm, using short films, testimonies, outside speakers and structured discussions
- Mary Stephenson, Freelance writer, on the Stories Connect programme that uses literature to help offenders reflect on their lives and think differently about themselves, others and the future
READING GROUPS for DISCUSSION and DEBATE
- Charlie Darby-Villis, Prison Library Development Officer, HMP and YOI Low Newton on the Learning Shop, an informal educational space providing opportunities for women offenders to engage in a range of activities including book clubs as well as Storybook Mums
- Sarah Turvey, Joint Coordinator, Roehampton University, on establishing new reading groups in prisons and in community settings such as supported housing
LITERARY CELEBRATIONS and FESTIVALS
- Phil Forder, Arts Intervention Manger, HMP / YOI Parc, on Hay in the Parc, which celebrates its 5th anniversary, and which brings authors and celebrities into the prison to share readings and life-stories
- Performance of Forever Delayed, a play developed by prisoners at HMP / YOI Parc
Who should attend?
- Prison-based practitioners
- Voluntary and community groups working with prisoners and ex-offenders
- Supported housing providers and commissioners
- Other organiastions working with offenders in prisons or in the community
What you’ll get from attending
- A new framework for understanding the role and purpose of literacy in the life of offenders
- Insight into what motivates offenders to take part in literacy programmes
- Ideas and inspiration from project leaders working in prisons and in the community
- Tips and practical guidance on how to make literacy initiatives work for offenders
- Networking opportunities with people from a range of backgrounds and representing different sectors including the prison service, probation services and community and voluntary providers.
Feedback from previous PrisonerActionNet conferences
- “Conferences rarely live up to the promise of their publicity – this one did!” – CEO, Lifeline Project Ltd
- “This conference has given me hope that there is a more humane way to do way to do what I do” (Hestia Housing and Support)
- “A positive and pioneering approach” (Correspondent Corp)
- “Fantastic – more please!” (West Yorkshire Probation Service)
- "This conference is improving year by year and PrisonerActionNet is fantastic!" - Business & Commissioning Manager, NOMS
Programme
9.15 Registration
10.00 Session 1: INTRODUCTION and CONTEXT and SKILLS FOR LEARNING and EMPLOYMENT
- Gerard Lemos, partner at Lemos&Crane, and PrisonerActionNet project director, on the role of literacy in helping people to stop re-offending
10.20 Session 2: IMPROVING ENGAGEMENT and MOTIVATION
- Alan Smith, HMYOI Brinsford; Genevieve Clarke, Programme Manager, The Reading Agency; Mona Banerjee, Librarian, HMP Pentonville; Chris Emmett, Learning and Skills Co-ordinator, and Sue Whale, OLASS Manager, HMP Erlestoke in discussion about effective methods, approaches and resources for engaging and motivating offenders
11.30 Refreshments
11.45 Session 2: IMPROVING COMMUNICATION and EMPATHY
- Charlotte Weinberg, Chief Executive Officer, Safe Ground on the Family Man programme that uses drama and group work to develop offenders’ social kills and to help them understand the benefit of being part of a family and a community
- Marina Cantacuzino, Director, The Forgiveness Project, on helping prisoners consider how their actions have affected others and how they might repair the harm, using short films, testimonies, outside speakers and structured discussions
- Mary Stephenson, Freelance writer, on the Stories Connect programme that uses literature to help offenders reflect on their lives and think differently about themselves, others and the future
1.15 Lunch
2.00 Session 3: SELF-EXPRESSION and SELF-AWARENESS
- Michael Crowley, Writer in Residence, HMP/YOI Lancaster Farms and author of Behind the Lines on using creative writing with young offenders to improve literacy and self-awareness
2.30 Session 4: READING GROUPS for DISCUSSION and DEBATE
- Charlie Darby-Villis, Prison Library Development Officer, HMP and YOI Low Newton on the Learning Shop providing opportunities for women offenders to take part in book festivals, books clubs and film groups as well as Storybook Mums
- Sarah Turvey, Joint Coordinator, Roehampton University, on establishing new reading groups in prisons and in community settings such as supported housing and community centres
3.30 Session 5: LITERARY CELEBRATIONS and FESTIVALS
- Phil Forder, Arts Intervention Manger, HMP / YOI Parc, on Hay in the Parc, which recently celebrated its 5th anniversary, and which brings authors and celebrities into the prison to share reading and life-stories
- Performance of Forever Delayed, a play developed by prisoners at HMP / YOI Parc
4.15 Close
Bronze: For members who have completed their profile or posted to the forum
Silver: For members who have submitted an example or entered an awards programme
Gold: For members who have been a speaker at an event or have won or been shortlisted for an award.