Writers in Prison
Many of the men and women in Scottish prisons have poor communication skills and literacy levels. This often means they don't access learning opportunities within prison and may lose touch with family and friends due to a lack of confidence around letter writing and self expression. They also have limited access to books and writing opportunities which can help address the inevitable isolation of a prison sentence.
Scottish Book Trust is working with the Scottish Prison Service, Carnegie College and Motherwell College to try and change this through a programme of writers and readers in residence in prisons across Scotland. We currently manage a residency at HMP Glenochil and support a writer in residence at HMP Edinburgh and readers in residence at HMPYOI Cornton Vale, HMPYOI Polmont and HMP Perth and are working towards a writer residency in every Scottish prison.
Video of Gowan Calder's Writer in Prison Project
-
Writer in Residence at HMP Glenochil
Click here for more info -
Read examples of the men's work here.
-
Read The Herald Magazine's article by Michael Tierney (photograph by Simon Murphy)
Download Page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4, page5
www.theherald.co.uk
HMP Glenochil
HMP Glenochil is in Clackmannanshire and holds male prisoners serving long term sentences.
Gowan Calder (pictured) has been Writer in Residence at HMP Glenochil since July 2008. Gowan has a wealth of experience in community theatre and is working with prisoners on developing their writing and storytelling skills across a number of genres, from telling their own life stories to devising drama and stand-up comedy routines. In July 2009 a group of prisoners put on a production of F**k This for a Game of Soldiers, a play they had written with Gowan's support.
Gowan's residency has had a big impact on prisoners:
"You read stuff you wouldn't read outside. Something in you cries out for something more."
"(The creative writing class) creates a better atmosphere. You can communicate about other topics than are generally addressed in prison... it helps you cope with the long journey in a place like this."
"She asked me to give it a try. I said ‘If it's boring I'll not be back.' I've not missed any, just one ‘cos of work. It's definitely not boring."
"I'm realising I maybe have got a talent for something else."
"She helped with letter-writing. I'm now putting pen to paper and writing to family. They're surprised. They write back. Now I write every week. It was only every few months. They see a difference."
Be Yirsel'
Who ur yay?
Who day yay waant tay be?
Sombiddy yir parents waant yay tay be?
Day yay try ‘n meet other's expectations?
Yay canny be somebiddy yir no
Thurz only wan persin yay can be
Whan yay realize that
Yay'll find inner peace
Be yirsel'
In naebuddy else.
Thoughts in a Prison Cell
the window stretches out
hills, sheep, sky
deep down there is someone
who this travels to on the
highway of memories
hills, sheep, sky
deep down there's only silence
I see her face, her lips
speaking my name
but there is only silence
her face is smiling
my father looks up
but still there's only silence
before there were others
but now there's only silence
the highway heads on
through my brother
there's a silence
where once there was noise
hills, sheep, sky
Sun Rise
sizzling tentacles floating across a calm sky
mapping the globe with it's soothing balm
luscious laughter and love
Apollo most majestic
illustrious lamination a heavenly creation
flowers appear in petal pollinated praise
industrious insects liaise, life itself salutes
drying, dying, crying
manipulating with a mortal manifesto
finally plunging westward
sinking in crimson crescendo
to start Gods cycle soon anew.


