Academi’s Reader in Residence Project taking creative writing into prisons in South West Wales

For the past couple of years the Reader in Residence project has been taking creative writing into prisons in South Wales. Initially funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, with further funding to continue the project provided by Basic Skills Cymru, the project is led by Academi in partnership with the Welsh Prison Libraries Network.

The project’s aim is to target readers with basic skills needs and increase their engagement in creative reading and writing activities – anything from book reviews through to running book clubs or attending creative writing workshops with professional writers. The use of various writers on the project also means that prisoners are offered the opportunity to develop different skills and genres of writing, depending on what area they want to engage in.

Sessions vary in number and length and are fairly flexible, according to the needs of the group, aiming to allow participants to be able to get to grips with a piece of work and develop it.  The prisoners are also encouraged to continue to work outside of the workshops to think of ideas and communicate through creative medium. 

Academi Chief Executive, Peter Finch, said:  “Within the five prisons across Wales where this project is being run, the various Heads of Learning and Skills have noticed increased confidence and self-esteem amongst the prisoners. The creative sessions have given them the chance to express themselves, as well as improving their creative writing and literacy abilities.”

One strand that has proved particularly popular with prisoners who have children is the “Storybook Dads” sessions which involves them working to create a story with writer Caspar Walsh, whose own father was in prison, and who therefore is able to bring his personal experience and insight to the workshops.

Sometimes the children themselves are able to provide input, perhaps suggesting what they want the story to be about.  The prisoners then record their story onto a CD which is presented to their child so that they can hear their father’s words and voice whenever they want.

Another strand of the Reader in Residence project is a writing workshop aimed at submitting work to the Koestler Awards, a national competition for artistic production, open to anyone in a custodial environment, and which can take many forms ranging from prose through to music or art.

Writer Anita Flowers has helped a group of eight men from HMP Parc, Bridgend, submit a total of 14 pieces of work to this year’s competition. The men started from scratch with their enthusiasm and initial ideas which then developed into production of life stories, poems, inspirational experiences and memories.

Peter Finch said: “One of the advantages of keeping the Readers in Residence project going is that, if prisoners attend a series of different sessions, it means they can be monitored to keep track of their development. 

“Many prisoners say they have been inspired to carry on writing, both in prison, and after they have been released.  We hope that this project inspires them to become life-long readers, consumers of literature and writers themselves.”

The prisoners can sign up for as many sessions as are offered and there is never a lack of people wanting to take part.  The Readers in Residence are keen to work with people of varying levels of literacy, skills and ability and wouldn’t turn anyone away even if they only had very basic skills – everyone is welcome, no matter what level, and they are all encouraged to contribute.

The only potential occasional obstacle in running the sessions is due to the prison environment being sometimes unpredictable - for example, when the prison has to be “locked-down” due to an incident, it means all activities are suspended and prisoners have to go back to their cells. So both the participants and the workshop leaders need to be flexible and aware of the possibility of changes to circumstances in running the sessions.

For further information contact Academi Chief Executive Peter Finch: 029 2047 2266 or post@academi.org