48 Jailbreak www.insidetime.org Insidetime July 2016 Reading Group Round-up Promoting reading and reading groups in prisons The report this month comes passion for nature generally and for the kestrel from Stephen P and the group ‘Kes’ in particular. Colette asked the group if at Wymott. They recently anyone had experienced a similar kind of pas- read Barry Hines’s 1968 sion for a subject that helped them cope with novel A Kestrel for a Knave, the trials of life. which became Ken Loach’s After a short silence, the answers came: ‘art’, classic film Kes a year later. ‘physics and astronomy’, ‘creative writing’. Ian expressed his love of Rome and Bill regaled the Amazingly almost everyone had read the book. group with stories of Santiago de Compostella Living prison history: More amazingly still, it was universally enjoyed. in Spain. Other passions included music, poetry Craig started things off: ‘It was a bit like my own and etymology. Pete D was silent about his life’, he said. Stephen U felt that it was inform- private passion but the way he devoured the The closure of HMP Holloway on ative about falconry and gave great details of final chocolate biscuit suggested a love of the history of this ancient pursuit. Bill liked the ‘ate-emology’. style, describing it as a ‘stream of conscious- National Prison Radio ness.’ He even referenced a phrase that he par- The story of ‘Kes’ resonates and moves us be- from all walks of life and We’ll hear some astonishing ticularly liked: ‘boiler pipes like branches of a cause it destroys the lie that people on the mar- carried out of a campaign testimony from the suffra- beanstalk’. Now there’s poetry! gins are defined by their circumstances and which included large amounts gettes, as they describe in their surroundings. Billy is a heroic figure of criminal damage - smash- painful detail the torturous Paul struggled at first with the South Yorkshire whose love of nature transcends and transforms ing windows, slashing famous regime. vernacular, but soon got the hang of it. Ian, his environment. Despite the tragic end to the This month the most famous paintings, even setting off born and bred in Yorkshire, relished a book set story, the message of the book is one of hope women’s prison in the country bombs. We’ll also hear about the five in ‘the best place in England’. Nigel thought in beauty. will lock its doors for the very women who were executed the use of dialect was ‘very homely’ and felt he last time. Their real protests began once within the prison grounds. could relate especially to the family scenes. His One final sad note to the proceedings was the they were inside the prison Among them was Edith favourite was at the beginning of the book news that Barry Hines had died recently. Pete HMP Holloway opened in walls though. Many went on Thompson, who along with where the mother asks a reluctant Billy Casper told the group that Hines had been quite a pro- 1852 as a prison for men, hunger strike to demand her lover, Freddie Bywaters, to go to the shop for ‘ciggies’ which results in lific author in his time but was remembered women and boys. Some of better conditions. The prison was sentenced to death for slapstick chase round the kitchen. primarily for just this book and its successful those who were sent there authorities responded by the murder of her husband transformation into film. One of the conse- were as young as eight. force-feeding them. Percy in 1922. Pete D and Pete G concurred on the innovative quences of this book choice was the commit- Crimes ranged from stealing use of language. Pete D loved the phrase from ment by the library to obtain some other of shoes to disturbing the church On Tuesday July 5th, National Many then and now believed DH Lawrence: ‘If men were as much men as Hines’s books. If he is looking down from that congregation for being drunk. Prison Radio will be broad- Edith to have been innocent lizards are like lizards’. Pete G loved the use of great eyrie in the sky, I’m sure he would have casting a special programme - and that Freddie was solely words - ‘tanner’, ‘snicket’, ‘snap’ - and the au- been delighted by the enjoyment he has given People were punished by to mark the shutting down of responsible for the killing. It’s thor’s ability to render an urban setting as po- to our book club. Thanks Barry! being made to walk on the this institution. widely accepted that the fact etic. Stephen P said the book made him ‘proud treadmill - like a giant hamster Edith was having an affair - a to be working class’. wheel. In some prisons people Tales from the Castle - The moral outrage for a woman climbed the equivalent of half Story of Holloway Prison, will - had a big influence on the Muhammad, as ever, made a revelatory contri- The Wymott group is part of the Prison the height of Mount Everest feature the voices of some of outcome of the case. bution: ‘The story shows two sides of life, dark- Reading Groups (PRG) network, sponsored by every day. the last remaining women ness and light, freedom and captivity’. The the University of Roehampton and generously being held in the prison. Tales from the Castle - The hawk, he thought, represents freedom when supported by charities including Give A Book Holloway was converted to a Story of Holloway Prison is he is allowed to fly, but is ironically kept a www.giveabook.org.uk. If your prison doesn’t prison just for women at the It’s being presented by Adele part of a very special HMP prisoner. have a reading group, encourage your turn of the following century. Roberts from BBC Radio 1, Holloway Takeover Day on librarian to have a look at the PRG website who regularly walks past the National Prison Radio on What was not in dispute was Billy Casper’s www.prison-reading-groups.org.uk Among the most notable prison on her way to and from Tuesday 5th July. The prisoners have been the her home, which is nearby. programme is broadcast at suffragettes. About a thousand midday and 6pm. And catch Perrie Lectures writing competition of them were held in Holloway The women at Holloway will the Request Show at 1pm and between 1905 and 1914. be giving their thoughts about 7pm to hear two solid hours The Perrie Lectures, named As we did in 2014 and 2015 following question as a the closure, but they’ve also of requests from women at after Bill Perrie, who was a we are running an essay heading: The suffragettes wanted equal been investigating its the prison. prominent Prison Governor competition for serving How do mental health rights for women, in particular fascinating history. well aware of the need to prisoners and are looking for issues impact on the the right to vote. They came reflect the concept of essays of no more than 2000 experience of imprisonment humanity in his dealings with words around the theme of the and the running of prison his staff and those in his care, lectures ‘Mental Health’. regimes? Stay on the Straightline are this year running an essay Entries should be marked competition for serving There will be prizes of £30, If you’re a music fan, being in prison can be tough that are filling global dancefloors to keep you “Perrie Competition” and sent prisoners. £20 and £10 for the best three - particularly if you enjoy clubbing. The main in touch with what’s happening. to: Perrie Lectures, C/o New entries and the winning entry room in Fabric is a long way from a prison wing. Bridge, 1a Elm Park, LONDON The theme for 2016 is ‘Mental will be published in Inside And every week we’ll have the Straightline SW2 2TX. Health’. We are currently Time. But National Prison Radio is launching a brand Takeover Mix, where a guest DJ will put contacting potential speakers new programme designed to be the next best thing. together an exclusive set of cuts that are The closing date for the and a chair for the day and Anyone wishing to enter the guaranteed to get the crowds jumping. competition is 20 August will definitely be presenting competition should send an Straightline will be coming out of your speakers 2016 and the winners will be some current models of best essay of no more than 2000 for two hours every Friday night between 8pm Make sure you tune in to Straightline, Friday notified following the lectures practice at the lectures in words, ideally typed and and 10pm. We’ll be playing cutting edge tracks nights from 8pm, on National Prison Radio. September. double spaced, using the on 22 September 2016..