This morning I met the Governor – the top dog here. He handed me a certificate and told me that I had been awarded third prize in a recent art competition. My first thought was that it felt really odd that a member of the prison staff was saying something positive to me, not barking a command or making some kind of disparaging remark. It felt nice. I thanked him, still a little startled at having been pulled out of my cell without warning. Then it occurred to me that I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to tell him what I think of his prison!

“This is great”, I said, holding up my certificate. “And my participation in this project will make the prison look good…but to be honest I thought that many of the other art was a lot more meaningful with a lot more depth. I come from a ‘nice’ background….I had a good education. It’s easy for me to sit in my cell, paint pictures and find ways to make the most of my time. I spend seven or eight hours a day studying behind my door, preparing for a future career. But for most of the other guys here they wouldn’t do that, or they’re not able. There’s very little support or encouragement here to help people develop themselves.”

The governor replied “Yes, things are unusual at the moment, since Covid.”

“All of us inmates are supposed to have a meeting to discuss our education, our mental health, our plan for development, so that we can reform and go in to lead positive lives. I was never offered that meeting, and I know that other guys who’ve been here for much longer than me haven’t either. It’s easy for me to apply myself, but others just sit and waste away in their cells with no support. When they leave here many will come straight back in through that revolving door”

“I hope you’re wrong about that”

“I really hope so too…but I don’t think I am”