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Wandsworth Prison Welfare Trust talk, Monday, 22nd, 7.30pm Community Church, Werter Rd

Apologies for the lateness of this. I thought I'd posted a while ago, but no sign of it. Monday 22nd Sept, 7.30pm, Community Church Werter Rd, SW15 2LL, opposite Sainsbury's. Wandsworth Prison and the welfare of prisoners. The Putney Society's Community Panel is hosting an excellent speaker from the Wandsworth Prison Welfare Trust, who has a depth of knowledge and information that is so interesting. She can explain what happens from the moment you arrive as a new prisoner, what the facilities are like, and what can help someone who is locked in a cell for 23 hours a day. Small things like jigsaw puzzles can help the mental health of someone in those conditions - if you have any spare, do bring them along. It might just help someone. We hope you'll come along and find out moreYou can attend online but need to register with registration@putneysociety.org.uk to get sent the link.Refreshments available and there is disabled access.

Victoria Diamond ● 54d4 Comments

I know nothing about prisons but I did realise that illiteracy  is a major issue.I think that when Jonathan Aitken was in prison he helped fellow inmates with writing letters, learnng to read, and is now a prison chaplain.

Elizabeth Balsom ● 52d

I can’t make the talk, unfortunately, but I do remember very vividly my visit to Wandsworth prison back in the days when I was a magistrate. The powers that be thought it important that magistrates saw for themselves the places they might be consigning convicted criminals to. I was very conscious, even back then in about 2005-6, that rehabilitation came far down the list of priorities in the prison service. There were many very worthy initiatives, such as business-sponsored training programmes, volunteer-led lessons in basic reading and writing skills (a surprising number of prisoners were functionally illiterate) and other training and learning opportunities. Even back then they were being scaled back due to funding problems, prison staff shortages, overcrowding, etc etc. The situation today is far worse. So if I’d been able to come along my question would have been about why rehabilitation programmes are not being prioritised. They, more than anything, help reduce reoffending rates and surely that is worth investing in.

Jonathan Callaway ● 52d

Please do come to the meeting - you'll learn a lot and can ask these sorts of questions.

Victoria Diamond ● 52d

Several weeks ago there was quite a poignant piece in the Times y the thoughtful journalist Alice Thompson about Wandsworth Prison. Apparently they have a scheme whereby prisoners areb trained in hospitality skills via the kitchens etc. In the past this has been quite successful in preparing men for release and finding them jobs in the sector. But since Rachel Reeves budget with the cost increases for employers and the prospect of Day One Rights this has dried up.I was surprised to read something positive about the prison and sad that a good scheme has encountered a stumbling block.

Elizabeth Balsom ● 53d