‘Yes, I will…and me…and me…and us…’ and before I knew it I had 5 guests lined up to attend Day 3 of 3 of my November prison program at HMP Hindley: Attend and participate alongside a mixed group of staff and men serving sentences no less. https://allianceofsport.org/news/run-for-your-life-how-physically-active-learning-pal-is-adding-value-both-sides-of-the-bars/
This was a huge deal for me and utterly unprecedented in 12 years of doing this work. I’d had one visitor for a period during my recent stint at HMP Manchester – and she knew our prison system well – but FIVE special guests two of which were extended family and all of whom were making big trips…I was really very touched.
My senior contacts in the prison – gawd bless ’em – had not even blinked at my request familiar by now I suspect, with my normal more-than-usual asks – though I try very hard to be a low maintenance addition to their prison. On the day it all worked seamlessly – no mean achievement given stuff can just happen and cunning plans torn asunder – which was particularly appreciated by the two of my five for whom this was their first time inside.
Ever mindful of my own ‘first time inside’ experience, (that left me somewhat shaken) I’d spent time with all my 5 doing the Manage Expectations / Busting Myths and adding a few three-line whips of my own:
‘I’ll introduce you by your first name and that’s it. Anything else is your choice. They know you’re coming…’ (I’d told my group on Day 2 ‘cos no-one in a prison likes surprises, and made sure I got their buy-in) ‘and they’re all OK with that.’
‘Yes, they’ll ask you questions and some will be very direct…’ (‘cos you’re a new bit in a very samey routine and they’ll want to know. Most for reasons of genuine curiosity and something else to talk about and some maybe not so much: Information is power, remember.)
‘No, you don’t have to answer and certainly not with specifics: You can deflect with a question of your own or reply in generalities.’
‘And you’ll get more out of it if you participate.’ (Not that this bit was in any doubt given everyone had a physical activity habit and was OK with rolling the metaphorical sleeves up).
And so it proved: Guest 3 arrived and 10mins later had joined Guest 1 & 2 in being led blindfold round our obstacle course by some of the men from our program group – in this case Sam who was in the early stages of serving a long sentence. This exercise has evolved into our crown jewel trust-building activity – made all the more fun (for me anyway) by designating The Floor Is Lava. I happen to know that this was only the second time inside for Guest 3 and the first time was much cosier given he was a guest of the Governor.
Sometimes to make progress in the darkness we have to be brave enough to suspend judgement, let go and let someone else lead us to the light.
Welcome to our world.
This was the final session of the program which meant a graduation ceremony right at the end. Before that a special bonus session where everyone got the chance to ask anyone anything. (Well, not quite anything given the particular context…).
It was a unique gathering: Men serving sentences, staff and folks from the senior leadership team, guests from the outside and little ole me. This meant people got feedback they would not normally get. People had some myths busted from people best placed to bust ‘em. People had the scales fall from their eyes and people were thanked for the work they do from people they wouldn’t normally get thanked by.
And some people on the inside had proof that contrary to what can appear in the digital world there are people on the outside who give a damn.
And everyone got a chance to be reminded of the Fundamental Truths of this world:
It’s Not That Simple.
It’s Never Too Late.
We Have More In Common Than We Have Differences.
