Students help write new prison book
STUDENTS worked with prison governor Russ Trent to help write a book to mark the opening of Wales’ new £250m super prison.
The HMP Berwyn legacy book – How We Built a Prison for North Wales – was launched at Coleg Cambria.
The collection of photos, interviews and articles details the construction of the category-C male prison, one of the largest in Europe which was built to hold up to 2,100 inmates.
Author Susan Miller oversaw the publication with help from students and staff at Wrexham Glyndwr University, Mr Trent the prison governor, prison developers Lendlease and the National Lottery-funded scheme – A Degree of Responsibility.
“It was a very exciting scheme to be involved in. I have worked on similar projects in the past, but this was the first time I was working with, and mentoring, students,” she said.
“They did a lot of the work and I was there to support them, give them encouragement and help to guide them, while watching them grow in confidence and enthusiasm.”
Wrexham Glyndwr University’s deputy vice-chancellor, Dr Claire Taylor said: “This hasn’t just been about writing a book.
“The value that students have gained from involvement in this project has been immense.
“They have learnt key employability and personal development skills such as project management, planning and organising events, research and information-gathering, meeting deadlines, writing and producing chapters for the book, team working and communications.
“They have been working alongside real employers on a live project, thereby experiencing first-hand the opportunities and challenges presented by being engaged with the world of work.
“We are delighted that as this part of the project comes to a close, Wrexham Glyndwr University continues to work closely in a variety of ways with Russ Trent and his team.
“We are looking forward to continued collaboration, including through research projects and doctoral study.”
Graduate teaching assistant Joanne Prescott put together the content and as part of her PhD and will now look at the ethos and philosophy of offender management at the jail.
She said: “I have always been interested in prison reform and penal policy, so when I heard about the project, I jumped at the chance to become involved.
“During my time on the project I have been able to work closely with many of the key stakeholders and senior management teams involved with HMP Berwyn, and it is this opportunity to network which has given me the foothold in which to pursue a PhD research project at the prison.
“Without the book, none of this would have been possible; it really has been a life-changing experience and one which I have enjoyed from start to finish.”