Capital Toastmasters recently delivered the second speech craft programme to the Reintegration Unit at Rimutaka prison, and all parties have rated it a resounding success.

"It's something to look forward to."

"It's the best thing happening in this prison."

"It expands the mind."

"It takes me on a journey and helps me forget about jail for a little while."

"It gives us confidence and self esteem."

Acting Volunteer Coordinator Chris Wilson says, "I remember joining Toastmasters myself over a decade ago and my young son thinking I was learning how to make toast!"

"Toastmasters is far more than that. In a supportive, positive environment, members are helped to overcome any fears of public speaking and to gain confidence and skill in delivering a variety of speeches. Everyone gets the opportunity to chair a meeting, to evaluate others, to prepare impromptu speech topics and to present prepared speeches on a given theme.

"It's nearly a year since the first Toastmasters meeting was held in Unit 6 at Rimutaka and it has been a resounding success.

"Margaret Nixon, Peter Gallagher and Sue Hamlett from Capital Toastmasters have been the inspiration behind this initiative. Their skill, enthusiasm and warmth have been contagious and hugely appreciated by the men. As with any prison volunteering activity, you get back far more than you give."

Sue Hamlett says she found the experience life changing. "It has completely changed my opinion of prison. The men in Unit 6 are no different to anybody else. They are intelligent, sincere and speak from the heart. I am in awe of these guys."

"We get a real buzz out of it. They obviously enjoy what they are doing and it’s gratifying that they listen to what we say and work hard to improve" adds Peter Gallagher.

For Margaret Nixon, seeing the positive transformation in the men is her biggest reward. "I always leave on a high!" she says.

Five prisoners have recently graduated from a six session speech craft course. They are proud of their achievement and full of praise for Toastmasters.

One of them has recently appeared successfully in front of the Parole Board. Most of the credit goes to Toastmasters, he believes.

"When I went in front of the Board last time I had my head down and my hands in my pockets. This time I spoke as if I had been given a ‘table topic’. I looked them straight in the eye. A lot of the bros in Unit 6 are too staunch to come to Toastmasters, but I’m glad I joined. It has given me so much confidence."

The survival of Toastmasters as a key activity in Rimutaka's Unit 6 seems assured. A recent suggestion that they take a two month break was soundly rejected by the men, and a first timer at last week's meeting said, "When I heard about Toastmasters, I didn't know what it was. Learning to talk to anyone and to look people in the eye can only be an asset. I will be back in two weeks!"

"What I enjoy about the meetings is the shared laughter and the way people who would never mix on the outside are brought together. At Toastmasters the barriers come down and everyone speaks in front of the group as equals. There is a level playing field.

"Prisoners are encouraged to have a voice and are listened to with respect."

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