Oliver arrived in HMP Swansea as a very timid and shy individual with limited reading, writing and numeracy skills. On completion of his Induction, it was recommended that he engage with the Shannon Trust Literacy and Numeracy mentoring programme. As the Shannon Trust Co-Ordinator, I explained what the mentoring sessions entailed and Oliver was eager to start. He sought me out during every association period and we completed a mentoring session. Oliver’s belief in his own ability to read and write grew and he was capable of completing his own food and canteen orders.
Oliver had never written to his parents from prison but as his literacy and writing skills improved he started to send letters to them. His parents were separated so he wrote to them individually. This resulted in them agreeing to visit him in HMP Swansea together. They hadn’t been in the same building together for thirteen years! The Shannon Trust programme not only helped Oliver to read and write but also improved family relationships in a massive way.
Thanks to Matthew, the Shannon Trust Co-Ordinator at HMP Swansea for this blog post contribution.
