If you or someone you come across in prison struggles with reading, help is available.
Each year, over 4,000 people learn to read in prison through the Shannon Trust Reading Plan – a simple, peer-led way to learn. Prisoners who can read help those who can’t.
How does it work?
Shannon Trust-trained Mentors meet with their Learner:
- 5 times a week
- 20 minutes a day
- At the Learner’s own pace – there are no exams
- Sessions are private, one-to-one and in a quiet place
- The Reading Plan’s Turning Pages manuals were written specifically for adults learning to read in prison
Getting help to learn to read makes it easier to:
- Keep in touch with family and friends
- Order food and canteen items, make applications and manage your money
- Make the most of education and training programmes
- Communicate with legal advisors
Learners who work through the Reading Plan with a Shannon Trust mentor often say their confidence and communication improve, that they want to carry on learning, and that they feel more positive about the future. In their own words:
“I can read really well. I’ll be released much more confident about doing all the day to day things life involves. I’ve used my time really well.”
“For 49 years I couldn’t read. Now I’m reading letters from my grandchildren.”
People who need help with their reading can get involved by speaking to a Shannon Trust Mentor (wearing a blue T-shirt) or a wing officer.
You can find out more about the Shannon Trust here: www.shannontrust.org.uk
More in this section:
| Accommodation | Cell Life |
| Getting things done | Phone and letters |
| Meals and Food | Drugs treatment |
| Personal clothing and equipment | Self Improvement |