PET awards brochure v6 - web

Last Year’s Winners
Time to Learn – by Bobby Kasanga
In 2016 we held the PLA conference at Cardiff Metropolitan University. The awards were
presented by Jo Stevens, the MP for Cardiff Central and the then Shadow Prisons Minister. We
asked some of those winners about the impact the award had on them.
Trevor Latham, Outstanding Officer, HMP Parc
“Winning the PLA award made such an impact on me. It gave me the confidence to be more
open and express myself better within the programme, knowing that the prisoners themselves
understand that I have experienced similar issues to the problems they are facing, and that
I understand how, as absent fathers, they can still have a positive impact on their children’s
development.”
Ian Rampton, Outstanding Teacher, HMP Eastwood Park
“On my last course I had a lady who was in a wheelchair, with only has the use of one arm.
She was also in really bad place mentally. Whilst on the course she felt safe, wanted, and part
of a small family. A short time after she completed the course she self-harmed very badly and
nearly lost her life. She is back from hospital and has asked if she could sit in the soap course
as she feels safe there. This is what it is all about for me.”
Valerie Samuel and Vicky Dickeson,
Outstanding Individuals, HMP Swansea
“The highlight of our year and of our library career will
always be the nomination for the PLA award, simply
for doing our job, by the men we serve.
“It created a huge positive buzz in HMP Swansea
- the men were as chuffed as we were! The
subsequent BBC Online article took our
work several levels higher. It was extremely
gratifying because it normalised what we do
and made it accessible to the public in the
best way possible.
Vilma Smith-Yates,
Outstanding Teacher,
HMP Wymott
“Winning the award affirmed my belief that
education and skills are not only the key levers
for personal and social change but are also vital for
improved rehabilitation outcomes, positive personal
relationships and futures.
“The sense of pride and satisfaction has driven my passion and
determination to create new ways of engaging learners. One of the highlights
of the past year was the Festival of Learning which was led by the student council. This was
the first time that we did an event on this scale at Wymott and, although it was ambitious, it
provided an opportunity for prisoners to engage with the world of further education.”
You can look at me and say I'm a prisoner of the government
But if you look deeper you can see I'm just a resident at this establishment
I took risks, I gambled and I broke the rules,
Perhaps it stems from my younger days bunking off school
So I'm here now, ready to start again
Hmm but it's been a long time since I used a pen
But who will show me? And who will help me?
I want to learn new things but the thought overwhelms me
They look at me as if I'm stupid
What was I thinking? I can't do this
But wait, did they just say hello, was that a smile?
First time I've seen one of those in this place in a while
"How are you?" "Who me?" I guess you want my prison number"
"No, let's start with your name, by the way that's a cool jumper"
"Have you ever thought about further learning?"
"I have, but not to sure about the little I'll be earning"
"Just try it out, what's the worst that can happen"
"Perhaps it will be the escape from this place I'm trapped in"
Wow, I didn't know all these words when I started. The alphabet is amazing
To think I'd otherwise be in my cell being lazy
A is for Alphabet
B is because she believed in me
C is because he gave me confidence
D is because she was down to earth
E is because I felt encouraged
F is because he was friendly
I'm not going to do the whole list
As I'm sure by now you have the gist
It all started with a smile and a conversation
And now I believe I can further my education
Now I can put all my mistakes behind me
I was always intelligent, just needed a voice to remind me
There are many others just like me, who just need to feel that somebody cares
Now I have certificates that were unlikely, and to you this great news I share
If you're angry then I'll be angry
If you smile then I'll smile
It's only circumstances that highlights differences but really we are the same
Treat me well and I'll do likewise, by the way David is my name
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