RESETTLEMENT SERVICES

HMP YOI LOW NEWTON - LEARNING SHOP

The Learning Shop, which commenced in 2004, is unique in English prisons, no other project aims to improve women's mental health and well being through learning. The Learning Shop provides a safe, calm, stress free welcoming and supportive environment which helps some of the most vulnerable prisoners in the country grow in confidence and develop life skills.

The Learning shop provides an intimate and supportive atmosphere for reluctant and fragile learners, in particular learners with mental health issues and self harm as well as vulnerable prisoners. A high degree of support is available and time is given to individual learners.

Staff and volunteers offer support and guidance with a focus on raising self confidence and self esteem, breaking down any barriers to learning. The Learning Shop also provides a facility for those engaged in learning throughout the prison, from work place learners, to Open University Students.

During 2010 we facilitated a range of activities with women including participation in external exhibitions and festivals, submitting work to the Koestler Award, recording 37 stories send home to children, craft activities, Lean Direct on-line courses and many more.

CASE STUDY: SUE'S STORY

HMP THE VERNE - DORSET

FOREIGN NATIONAL PRISONERS
At the end of March 2010, Foreign nationals represented 13% of the overall prison population.

Foreign Nationals inevitably have special difficulties with which to contend - of language and communication with staff and other prisoners, culture, great distances from family and friends and thus, of course, of loneliness and isolation.

In HMP The Verne, the foreign national population is over 60% and this represents over 50 different nationalities. New Bridge volunteers with appropriate language skills, have been befriending non-English speaking prisoners for many years. Until recently many of these prisoners were Spanish speaking but with the changes in patterns of offending particularly of importation of illegal drugs there has been a sharp increase in numbers from Eastern Europe.

New Bridge volunteers with the support of staff and a Service Level Agreement provide:

Surgeries - One is held every week and is usually attended by upwards of 20 foreign national prisoners who need advice or assistance.

Visits - Approximately more than thirty different foreign national prisoners are visited individually in the domestic visits area alongside other members of the public. For the prisoner, these domestic visits provide a break from routine, a chance to see people from outside, including women and children, and a boost to morale.

Translation Service - From time to time volunteers are called upon to translate documents for the prison and act as interpreters during legal visits. Volunteers are also available to interpret during hospital visits.

Race Relations Committee - A New Bridge representative sits on the prison's Race Relations Committee at which any relevant issues arising from the surgery or individual visits, can be raised.

Letter Writing - Although not part of the Service Level Agreement with The Verne, some volunteers write to foreign national prisoners, not only in The Verne but also in other prisons, in the UK and abroad.

During 2010 our volunteers visited 123 prisoners, giving 169 hours of support.  Our volunteers committed over 180 hours to helping Foreign National prisoners and travelled over 2,000 miles.