A long straight road leads to HMP Low Newton and yesterday I drove down it a year after leaving the prison.
I was apprehensive about returning, although I was going to a meeting in the Visitors Centre outside of the gate. Going through the gate would have been daunting. It can be a big problem – ask anybody who’s had extended time away from the prison (any prison) about how they feel walking back through the gate. It’s not always easy, sometimes people offer to meet someone outside and then go through the gate with them.
For some it becomes an impossibility. Working in a closed institution has a powerful effect and sometimes it catches up with you – but thankfully not yesterday
The meeting was in fact inspiring, chaired by the dynamic, no nonsense Alison Redshaw of Durham City Arts. It concerned a Durham Book Fest event on Oct 27th 6pm at the Gala Theatre where I, along with four other panellists –Wendy, former Writer in Residence, Charlie, King of the Library, Derek, Head of Learning and Skills and Richard, Writer in Residence in Frankland prison, will listen to the women’s work being read aloud, talk about writing in prisons, answer questions and read. It’s a free event so – Put the date in your diary now!
A very touching post. It was amazing also, listening to Lesley and Charlie, to know about women who are still there inside – some good writers whom I have worked with – surviving the day to day challenges of long sentences. The event in October will pay respect to them and these challenges, and perhaps open some eyes to the complex truth of life inside.
wx
Wendy I agree so much about the women still there – the poignancy and the day to day challenge of this struck me too- a whole year gone by – so much happening out here, so much happening for me, but what of their lives?
I would never deny that there are some women, a small minority of women, who should be in prison. However as we both know many women in prison are victims themselves and many are in need of the kind of therapuetic care which is so difficult for hard pressed prison staff to deliver.
I very much hope the event in october will, as you say, pay respect to them and to the many staff who work in our prisons, people like Charlie and Lesley, Prison Officers and Governors, who have the good of the women at heart.
Hi Avril
You never forget, do you? It will be 2 years for me in November …. but some faces, some conversations are still as clear as yesterday. The good thing is you remember the positive rather than the negative experiences, I’m glad you are still in touch wwith Charlie and Lesley (they always did put the women first).
Well done, Avril, on a highly productive year and I will see you on October 7th. It’s in my diary.
Much love
Carole x
Hi Carole – no, you don’t forget, ever. It will be great to see you on 27th (if not before) – I think it will be a really interesting night. You were also one of the people who always put the women first and I know how sad the women were when you left
Avril x