Peer-led literacy: a prison library’s collaboration with the Shannon Trust

Abstract

This case study interrogates the delivery of the Shannon Trust literacy programme in a men’s category B London prison (HMP Wandsworth). This includes an exploration of prison libraries’ collaboration with the Shannon Trust, and how prison library staff practically facilitate the programme; from selecting prisoners to become literacy mentors, finding prisoners willing to become learners, and collecting feedback. This study also looks at some of the challenges faced by prison-based Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals when delivering a programme such as this. The study concludes with a set of recommendations for other LIS professionals considering programme delivery in the prison context.