Creating safe spaces in Prison so Black Prisoners can Talk

Source: (2004) Paper presented at “New Frontiers in Restorative Justice: Advancing Theory and Practice”, Centre for Justice and Peace Development, Massey University at Albany, New Zealand, 2-5 December.

We presently operate a service which facilitates an opportunity for Black Men in English Prisons to come together and share their experiences plus provide opportunities of dialogue between them and prison personnel. It has long been recognised institutional racism exists and there is a cross cultural barrier in communications. The groups exists to overcome issues that arise over difference and race to ensure the prison facilities accommodate difference along with compliance with Race Relations act legislation. The group is formed and the men take roles of deciding the agenda and facilitating sessions. We recently have produced a promotional video that has the men talking about what it is like for them in prison and how the group empowers them to cope within such hostile environments. The charity has been founded from the roots of people being disaffected as prisoners’ families and has established itself to be a major service provider in delivering appropriately culturally sensitive service. Abstract courtesy of the Centre for Justice and Peace Development, Massey University, http://justpeace.massey.ac.nz.