Our work in prisons

Over 60% of people in prison struggle with reading. Some cannot read at all. Around two thirds of people in prison struggle with basic numeracy skills.

Learning to read and do numeracy transforms lives. It means people in prison can access more opportunities, improve their confidence and rely less on others for help. Because our programmes are peer to peer, both mentors and learners develop key skills that can help them find future employment.

How it works

Aerial view of a learner and mentor going to one of the Turning Pages manuals

We know a lot of people have had bad learning experiences in the past, so our programme is designed to be different. Find out how it works below.

  • ‍We have Shannon Trust facilitators in around 65 prisons, supported by a central team and dedicated volunteers.
  • In other prisons, we have prison staff who help facilitate our literacy and numeracy programmes alongside a volunteer.
  • Our facilitators build partnerships throughout the prison to help identify potential learners and mentors.
  • Volunteers train peer mentors (people in prison who can read) and provide support and advice for both Turning Pages and Count Me In.
  • Mentors work on a one to one basis with their learner in short, regular sessions.
  • Learners set their own goals, go at their own pace, and take breaks as they need to.
  • There are no exams and no classrooms.‍
  • The programme is free to all learners. As well as the option of one to one learning with a mentor, they can also self study.‍
  • We offer a complete programme – resources, a network, support and training – and we have plans to expand our learning offer in future.

Our Turning Pages reading manuals and Count Me In numeracy manuals are used by thousands of learners in prisons and the community. Turning Pages is accompanied by our activity books, Write Now, which contain practical exercises our learners can complete to help cement their learning. It includes puzzles, stories and articles to encourage practice and confidence.

The benefits

Not being able to read or understand numbers affects more people than you think, yet learning can be a powerful springboard into so many other opportunities.

‍

  • It makes day to day life easier – almost everything in prison is done by filling in forms, such as applying for a job or course in prison, requesting to move cells, or selecting meals.
  • It’s safer for the learner and those around them. Reading enables people to read signs and instructions.
  • It improves family relationships including with children, and helps to break the cycle of low literacy and low numeracy.
  • Learning to read and do numeracy is often the first step into further learning and employment, with many Shannon Trust learners seeking out further education/courses.
  • It reduces reoffending and improves communities.

We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to learn and has the potential to create a positive future in which they can thrive.

For the first time I feel like I am really making progress with numeracy, it has always been so difficult for me before.

For the first time I feel like I am really making progress with numeracy, it has always been so difficult for me before.

Shannon Trust learner
This is more than just teaching reading to someone, this is forming a relationship. This is creating a bond and a sense of community, this is to be a listener to someone that needs to speak.

This is more than just teaching reading to someone, this is forming a relationship. This is creating a bond and a sense of community, this is to be a listener to someone that needs to speak.

Shannon Trust mentor
I am now more involved with my children, making me a better parent. My relationships with friends and family are now more intimate. I can express myself honestly as I don’t have to rely on others.

I am now more involved with my children, making me a better parent. My relationships with friends and family are now more intimate. I can express myself honestly as I don’t have to rely on others.

Shannon Trust learner
I’m proud of myself. I’ve achieved things I never thought I would because I doubted my ability, but I’ve found out I’m smarter than I thought.

I’m proud of myself. I’ve achieved things I never thought I would because I doubted my ability, but I’ve found out I’m smarter than I thought.

Shannon Trust learner
A female volunteer stands at the front of a classroom in the prison talking to a group of male mentors sat around a table.

Volunteer in prisons

A Shannon Trust mentor and learner sit at a round table. The mentor rests his hand on the table next to a Count Me In manual, with the Turning Pages mini manuals further back on the table.

About Shannon Trust

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Charity number 1117249