English PEN Prison Writing Competition Appeal
Organised by English PENHelp English PEN raise funds for our prison writing competition, giving prisoners the chance to improve their skills and connect with the outside world.
Story
English PEN’s prison writing competition gives prisoners an opportunity to have their work judged by a leading author and to see their writing published. Not only does the experience build skills and self-confidence, it can increase the possibility for rehabilitation.
Since the competition launched five years ago, we’ve had first-hand testimony from prison officers and prisoners themselves about the positive impact of taking part.
‘Sending an entry to the English PEN competition made me feel part of the world outside - no longer just a prison number - a human being once more.’ Prisoner, HMP Swaleside
‘One cannot overstate the increase in self-respect felt by prisoners acknowledged in this writing competition.’ Prison officer, HMP Parc
You can read previous prizewinning entries here https://www.scribd.com/collections/7694289/English-PEN-Prison-Writing-Competition
Help us reach our target of £16,579 so that the competition can take place in 2016.
@englishpen #PENprisoncomp