We’ve been working with Prison Reading Groups (PRG) since 2012. PRG sets up book groups in prisons where, once a month, prisoners will discuss a book that has been chosen by the group for discussion. Give a Book provides the books!
There are now over forty Prison Reading Groups in more than thirty-five prisons nationwide. “I loved this group. I loved it so much that I want to learn to read for the next one.” (emergent reader). “ For one hour a month I feel that my opinion is valid, that I am listened to, and that others care what I say. In the Book Group everyone is given a voice, all have an equal say.”
Read their excellent, informative reports on both the groups and on the family days that they support.
We receive frequent, wonderful reports of how these books are being enjoyed. Here are a few of them:
News from inside
The Prison Reading Groups that we give books to choose their titles. Here are accounts of 3 groups: we’re delighted to get feedback so thank you.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
In general this book was a hit, and has tempted our members to read the two sequels. Is this a serious political satire or pure entertainment?
One member thought the parallels with ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!’ were striking, especially when prizes or presents are parachuted down to the various ‘contestants’.
Another felt that the story had a worryingly serious side to it:
‘a sadly apt indictment of the human need for blood sport…the monitoring described in this book is eerily within reach’
On the other hand we all agreed that Katniss was mostly concerned with winning, rather than subverting the system politically – making this book, on the whole, a light read.
The process of meeting challenges and trying to overcome them is a constant theme here. Does the story make it easy for us to relate to this?
‘the ongoing arrival of challenges and the determination to overcome them is an inspirational element’
‘this story could help us to stand up to oppression’
I was concerned that, as readers, we were being asked to accept that the rules could be changed so drastically and purely for dramatic effect. But another member thought that this was expressly to show the privileges of a draconian regime.
How much do we care about Katniss and Peeta’s relationship? Do we want to find out what happens next?
We discussed the conceit of the main characters having to perform in front of millions of viewers and how that affects our perception of them and their ‘true’ feelings for each other. This didn’t seem to deter other members:
‘I had to read the other two books very quickly in order to find out’
‘I couldn’t help but get emotionally involved’
The Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Like most groups on the out, the men at this HMP are keen to read the books people are talking about. So it was no surprise when they chose Yann Martell’s Life of Pi, the Man Booker winner and now a blockbuster film. The story recounts the terrifying adventures of an Indian teenager who is trapped on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with a 450-lb Bengal tiger.
Our discussion was lively, alert and full of surprises. The first member who spoke put us all on our mettle:
‘I thought it was pretty absurd – 227 days on a 26-ft lifeboat: pah! – until I got to the final section and realised what the ‘real story’ was and what the tiger actually meant. It all made sense then and now I think it’s brilliant’
Others were frankly gobsmacked by his explanation:
‘This has turned the book upside down for me’
‘It’s really blown my mind’
From here, the speculation began. If Pi’s ‘real story’ is the one hinted at the end, is the account of the tiger a lie or a way of getting at the deep meaning of what happened? One member had made a note of something said early on in the book and thought it might be at the heart of what the novel is doing. He gave us the page reference, then read it out:
‘That’s what fiction is about, isn’t it, the selective transforming of reality? The twisting of it to bring out its essence.’
Another member talked about being new to prison and finding it a tough experience. For him the book was a real help:
‘When I was reading it, I was in India, on the Pacific Ocean, in Canada – and not in here’
At the same time, he also commented on points of contact:
‘Of course they’re different, but I found analogies – between Pi’s fear of the tiger and what it feels like when you first come into prison’
We finished up the session by reading Blake’s ‘Tyger’: The verdict:
‘What a scorcher!’
If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things by Jon McGregor
A very mixed response. Many hated it, which made for a good discussion. One member was very concerned by the decision of the pregnant girl not to tell the father of her child, and the rest agreed with him (I argued that she was letting the chap off the hook, but they didn’t agree). The highlights were the comparison which one man made with photography, and how it can make the ordinary extraordinary through e.g. juxtaposition: a perfect analogy for this book. Also, the pastiche sent in by absentee member – done with a lovely witty touch.
1984 by George Orwell
The main character is Winston Smith, a civil servant who lives alone in a world where Big Brother – the state – rigidly controls everything: the laws, the media, everything. Every room in every building has a telescreen that can simultaneously transmit and receive. And nothing, not even a wink, is ever missed.
Winston’s job at the Ministry of Truth requires him to falsify historical documents on orders from BB. When the Ministry of Plenty decides to reduce the chocolate ration from 30g to 25g per week, Winston has to alter the old records and newspaper articles to make it look like the original ration was only ever 20g. Now the Ministry can claim it has INCREASED the allowance!
Winston is plagued by the lies but knows that even if anybody else felt as he does, they could never show it. Dissent is not tolerated by BB, and people are sometimes removed and never seen again.
Citizens are expected to love BB and are required to attend a regular ‘Two Minute Hate’, a message from the revolutionary leader broadcast to an audience over a giant telescreen. It includes shots of the enemy of the moment and people are encouraged to boo and hiss at the screen. Strangely, even Winston feels the urge to join in.
But it’s here too that Winston meets Julia, the girl he falls in love with, and O’Brien, who reveals himself as an enemy to BB. He also gives Winston a copy of ‘the book’, which denounces the power politics of the state.
Both love and the book turn out to be powerful and dangerous and Winston pays a heavy price.
This strange and exciting new life comes crashing down on Winston when the Thought Police smash their way into the secret room and drag him behind the impenetrable walls of the Ministry of Love for interrogation. It’s here that he is forced to face his greatest fear: ROOM 101
The book is thought-provoking. It’s also many different things to different people. It’s a love story, but also a story of betrayal on so many levels. It raises questions of freedom, political ideology and the duty of both the state and its citizens.
They say that every man has a breaking point. Does Winston live or die? Does he get the girl? Who wins? I’m not going to tell you that.
But if it were me: would I roll over? Would I be a sheep? Or would I die fighting? The answer is: BAA! But maybe that’s just me…the power of the state is scary.
Some members thought they’d read it before but then realised it was just because so much of the book is so familiar – Big Brother, Room 101, the power of surveillance. In any case it created a lively debate:
‘This book becomes more relevant with each passing year’
‘I’m young and when I read it on my own it didn’t seem relevant to me. I didn’t get past page 20. But listening to you lot talking, I’m keen to try it again.’
‘Was Julia (the girl) an agent provocateur or did she really love Winston?’
‘Does this book warn us against communism?’
And the one that summed it up for our group:
‘This book is a modern classic and a must read!’
The Bullingdon group is part of the Prison Reading Groups project. And this report also appeared in Inside Time January 2013.
Family Day
The [books] were delivered the day before our family day, just in time. In the end as we had 2 adult ed tutors who had delivered the Hungry Caterpillar we set aside a quiet area and put the books on low tables surrounded by soft chairs and allowed the children in their own time to “find” this area. When a child showed an interest then either a parent or tutor went over to assist with reading if necessary.
When the child had looked at several books they were allowed to choose a book to take home and at that point they were given the book bag, notepad and if appropriate, pencil and pen.
When [the facilitator] spoke to the families the feedback was … fulsome and they expressed absolute delight and amazement that any one would give their child a book bag with a choice of book too.
The facilitator added that [she] was delighted to have been given the opportunity to see the children choose books and sit and read them when there were so many other activities available. As some-one who has been involved in education from community-university it strengthens my belief that books are still the most important avenue through which young children can acquire information, develop interests, learn the art of reading for pleasure a pursuit which can be done with others or on your own.
Many thanks for the books.