9 September 2010
Hawke's Bay Regional Prison library staff recently promoted the importance of literacy and learning to prisoners as part of National Library Week.
Library staff asked prisoners to participate in the competition by entering one, or all, of three competitions: write a poem; compile a puzzle; or write a book review.
“I have been amazed at the interest this competition has created,” says Hawke's Bay Regional Prison Librarian, Victoria Mavin.
“Many of the prisoners have said they write poems to their wives and partners, but had never considered writing for a competition before. The entries in the poetry competition have been particularly outstanding, and it is hoped that future competitions will enthuse the prisoners as much.”
“By being given a chance to write and express themselves through words, hopefully some of those who took part will consider the important place of reading and writing and how it can help them think about the impact of their offending.”
“I am looking forward to working with the prisoners in the future to develop their literacy skills and interest in the library.”
“The prison library is a resource that can be used by all prisoners and many use it to support their learning: whether this is prison-based foundation learning classes; parenting classes; or distance learning through external agencies. I always aim to support the work of tutors working within the prison and I encourage the prisoners to use their time to read.”
“I would hope that by using the library some prisoners may be encouraged to visit and use community libraries when they are released. Many of our prisoners have never been in a library and it can be a daunting thing for an adult with low self-esteem and poor literacy skills to actually go into a library and ask for help in selecting some books. I hope that by breaking down some of those barriers here, they can move on and use local facilities and continue to read after their release.”
“We are working hard to build up a good collection here at Hawke's Bay Regional Prison; my focus over the next year will be to develop the non-fiction section of the library. This will be a particular help to the prisoners by supporting their learning, both in courses they have to do to address their re-offending, but also in courses that they are doing to help ease their transition back into society when they are released,” says Mrs Mavin.
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