News
Women's prison wins visit from Peter James
13 July 2010
Thirteen prisons entered the prize draw for prisons and young offender institutions in 2010. The winner is HMP Low Newton, a women's prison at Brasside near Durham where prison librarian Jacqueline Woods encouraged 48 offenders to take part in the Six Book Challenge, 16 of whom completed by the prize deadline. Their prize will be a visit from well-known crimewriter Peter James whose latest book Dead Like You recently hit the bestseller lists. This has been made possible through the Reading Agency's Reading Partners which now links library services across the UK with more than 30 top publishers. Peter James has also written a Quick Read title, The Perfect Murder, which won this year's Quick Reads Favourite Award presented at Niace's Adult Learners' Week Awards ceremony.
Jackie explains: "I've been running the Challenge at HMP Low Newton this year alongside a reading group. I have found the women particularly enjoy reading books that feature heavily in the media. We were lucky enough to receive the Orange Prize shortlist and they proved very popular with the women writing about them in their Six Book Challenge diaries. We are currently reading books from Channel Four Summer Reads book club and we've also tried plays such as Pygmalion. Some of the women struggle with literacy and we find the right books for them. One lady likes trains. Another with poor concentration has enjoyed lots of the Quick Reads."
Governor Alan Richer has commented: "I am very pleased that Low Newton has won this award. The Six Book Challenge has been a real success in encouraging women offenders to read and express themselves. A lot of credit for creating such a positive enthusiasm for reading must go to the library staff and of course the readers themselves who have joined in so enthusiastically with the challenge".
And the prison library's work is also supported by Tamara Ross, Head of Learning and Skills: "I am thrilled that Low Newton has won this award. It recognises the positive relationships between staff and those we care for. The women involved have grown in confidence, motivation and knowledge thus demonstrating the importance of reading. "
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