I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL

When the world was clapping for carers prisoners around the country were banging on their cell doors. Not in protest but appreciation. Just like us.

The pandemic has brought our world and theirs a little closer. Lack of freedom, rules imposed with penalties for transgressions, a yearning to see loved ones, and fears of a new unknown, creates a strange affinity.

While wider society is moving out of lockdown the prison environment cannot support relaxing of rules without putting health at risk. Nationally prisoners and staff alike have tragically died from Covid.

At HMP Garth Prison in Leyland men stay in their cells 23 hours a day to protect them from infection. They leave only to shower and take exercise.

Consultant clinical psychologist Simon Crowther is the clinical lead at the

The pandemic has brought our world and theirs a little closer.

Beacon Unit based at HMP Garth. A partnership service between Mersey Care and the prison service, the Beacon supports 48 prisoners who have experienced significant trauma early in their lives.

A cornerstone of the service is the supportive relationships that exist between Beacon staff and prisoners.

“These men have challenging life experiences often involving trauma so it’s taken a long time to build positive relationships and gain trust” said Simon. “In ‘normal’ times their days would be spent outside their cells in therapeutic treatment programmes with our team, so lockdown has led to a significant loss of support and relationships; not just with staff but also their peers.”

The Beacon staff team responded by developing creative ways of offering support and maintaining relationships. They accompany prisoners on laps of the exercise yard, giving them a chance to talk. One to one sessions now happen through in cell telephone calls.

These men have challenging life experiences often involving trauma.

Prisoners raised funds for Captain Tom Moore’s charity walk.

He’s struck by acts of kindness to each other.

Staff have donated DVDs to create a library. Projects from history to creative writing are now offered in cells to provide meaningful occupation. The wider prison at HMP Garth also reached out to prisoners, providing phone credit so people can ring their families, and paying for additional TV channels.

“In all these activities an important part has been maintaining contact and relationships, even if this is different than usual. Many of the resident’s trauma related difficulties are magnified at times of anxiety and uncertainty, so having contact with each other can help with this” says Simon.

He’s struck by acts of kindness shown by Beacon residents to each other, staff and society.

“Prisoners check up on each other every day. They have very little money, yet they raised £600 after hearing about the NHS fundraising appeal and Captain Tom Moore’s 100 lap walk,” he said.

There’s a realisation among prisoners that the emotions of lockdown – lack of freedom and meaningful occupation,

Simon Crowther, clinical Lead at the Beacon Unit based at HMP Garth.

isolation from loved ones, restrictions on choice, and fear of a new unknown after Covid – are felt by staff too.

Simon says it’s created a genuine solidarity. “They see us working hard to support them. They ask how we are and tell us they feel fortunate to be at the Beacon.”

Lockdown may not end soon for prisoners and the consequences of such levels of isolation and restriction will only be known down the line, but for now everyone feels grateful for what they still have.

Just like us.

I’m very aware that this is far from over, but the support and love at the Beacon has made me feel safe…

Beacon resident.