My daughter taught me to read in prison
Emmanuel was 38 and serving a life sentence when he learned to read so he could write to his daughter – and later study alongside her. He shares his story.
Emmanuel was 38 and serving a life sentence when he learned to read so he could write to his daughter – and later study alongside her. He shares his story.
To mark the second International Day of Education in Prisons, we asked people in prison to submit poems, short stories and essays addressing the question: “Why does Education in Prison Matter?” We received dozens of submissions in each category, and a panel of PET staff and volunteers whittled them down to the strongest.
So far this year, PET has funded over 200 people to take GCSE, AS Levels and A Levels in prison, a handful of whom managed to take their exams inside. As they await, lament or celebrate their results along with students up and down the country, we asked them why they chose to study these subjects, what effect it has had, and what they hope to do next.
Zack, a prisoner in Wales, is currently being released on temporary licence to complete a graphic design degree. As part of this, he created an animation which serves as a guide for families of serving prisoners.
© Prisoners' Education Trust 2019