Prisoners bought food from their canteen to send to foodbanks to help people on Universal Credit I’ve since been told of similar donations to food banks organised in other prisons

At the Howard League for Penal Reform, we often visit prisons. When you are campaigning on prison-related issues it’s important to see as much as you can of life behind bars. Sometimes you learn something of life outside of prison too.

I recently visited a prison and discovered that in the run-up to Christmas there had been a particular initiative suggested by prisoners and taken up by the staff. Prisoners had suggested donating to food banks in the community to help the unemployed and also those working but struggling with delays to benefits.

They wanted to help

The problems of Universal Credit are well documented, but it was startling to see them referred to in a prison.

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Not so long ago I sat in on a multi-agency meeting in another part of the country, looking at issues affecting children and families, and heard a succession of people from the local authority describing the difficulties faced by those starting work and awaiting support through Universal Credit. Waiting many weeks before benefits are paid is pushing some people into real hardship. Yet here were people arguably in worse straits, in prison, wanting to do something to help.

The idea was taken up by the governor and both prisoners and staff purchased food items and donated them to the community.

Most prisoners earn between £10 and £30 a week and this has to cover everything from basic treats like biscuits to toiletries, phone calls and stationery. A recent Freedom of Information response gives you an idea of what can be ordered from what’s called the prison ‘canteen’.

A reminder that prisoners are part of a community

Prisoners bought items from the canteen to be sent outside and staff also donated food as individuals. It was an impressive joint effort, a reminder that not only are prisons communities in themselves but that they remain part of our wider community. But some people might like to banish prisoners out of sight and out of mind.

‘If action isn’t taken then whole communities, both behind and beyond the bars, will suffer’

Yet it was also troubling to see some of the most vulnerable people in society trying to help others, however humble their efforts may have been. I’ve since been told of similar donations to food banks organised in other prisons. The prison system in England and Wales is currently facing a serious crisis of safety, with record levels of violence and self-injury. What does it say that people living and working in such a troubled system are trying to ameliorate social problems found outside of the prison gates?

Poverty and homelessness will contribute to crime if they are not dealt with

This is not simply about a particular government policy that is not working. Problems of food insecurity, of child poverty and the rising levels of homelessness will themselves contribute to crime if they are not checked.

In turn, this will only increase the pressure on an already overcrowded and failing prison system. At the local meeting I mentioned earlier, there were concerns aired that issues developing in the community meant that children were both more likely to be victimised but also to fall into crime themselves.

None of this will be solved by prisons. And if action isn’t taken then whole communities, both behind and beyond the bars, will suffer.

Andrew Neilson is Director of Campaigns at the Howard League for Penal Reform