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Diffusion Books
Improving Literacy, Inspiring Hope
Diffusion Books Covid-19 Response
During lockdown we provided over 13,000 books to prison staff looking for resources to include in cell packs or mobile libraries whilst usual activities for prisoners and all visits from family and friends were suspended. Thanks to support from individual donors and charitable trusts we were delighted to be able to respond to this massive demand for our Diffusion books.
Testimonials
“In these difficult times, we are trying to plan ways to occupy men … we are planning to make book boxes which we take to the wings…We have over 1000 men and we want to make this challenging time as pleasant as possible. Please let us know if you can support us.” Assistant Education Manager, HMP Ranby
We are delighted to have been able to answer these calls for help and wanted to share with you some of the positive responses we’ve had from prison staff:
“What a saviour! After the Prime Minister’s speech…we are making changes here to our already shortened daily routines. Your books are inspirational. I am in the middle of making activity packs up and will put one of your books in each. Thank you soooo soooo much!” Librarian, Hydebank Secure College
“This kind gesture of Diffusion Books is well thought-out. And it is highly appreciated by us that you show concern for our prisoners at this period of global uncertainty. In response to your largesse, kindly find attached our order form.” Librarian, HMP/YOI Aylesbury
Thank you to everyone who has donated to our Diffusion appeal during the coronavirus pandemic
32,000 Books… and Counting!
At the beginning of September 2020, SPCK sent out over 32,000 Diffusion books to prisons across the UK.
These books have been sent to men’s prisons, women’s prisons, young offenders’ institutes and secure forensic institutes (for offenders with mental health conditions).
They are used in prison reading groups, by prison education departments, for one-to-one learning sessions, and stocked in prison libraries.
We’ve helped prison chaplains, librarians, teachers and volunteer reading group leaders by providing them with free good quality, inspiring books that make a real difference to the men, women and young people in their care.
The books are also read and reflected upon by individuals in their cells and shared with their cell mates.
All this combines to mean that whilst we have provided over 32,000 books, we have inspired hope in more than 32,000 lives.
A woman, who read one of our books got in touch to say:
"I am on remand at the moment, hopefully to be released next year. This book has really made me think about how different I want my life to be on release."
To find out more about Diffusion books visit www.diffusionbooks.org.uk
None of this would be possible without the generosity of SPCK’s supporters, who have chosen to get involved with our prison ministry. You can join them by making a donation.
Why does Diffusion matter?
More than 3 in 5 people in prison are assessed as having poor literacy skills, meaning they would struggle to read a newspaper, access the internet, or understand a household bill.
Not being able to pass the time or find some respite by reading may seem hard enough, but for prisoners it can be devastating as they are unable to access opportunities in prison to build a better future. There is clear evidence that improving prisoners’ reading skills has a huge impact on their prospects for effective rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Getting a secure job or training is critical to people being able to turn their lives around in the long term and prevent reoffending.
Another key factor, which is often overlooked in the pursuit of more hard skills such as literacy and numeracy, is the development of positive personal relationships. Skills such as empathy, verbal communication and self-awareness are rarely addressed by prison education programmes, but they are vital in reducing reoffending too!
That is where Diffusion can help!
We have specially commissioned easy-to-read books, with gripping plots, that help improve reading skills while emphasising the importance of making good life choices and fostering positive relationships.
We resource prison reading groups with the books they need to improve literacy in prisons. Within these reading groups, inmates help each other and discuss the issues raised by the text, using questions at the end of each chapter such as:
‘What would happen if all the prisons were empty? Can you imagine what that would be like?’
’Why hasn’t Dan ever thought of having a family before?’
‘Events in our past can affect our future. Should we let go of them? What else could we do?’
And we really are making a difference! We were delighted to receive this wonderful feedback from a Learning and Skills manager at HMP Low Newton:
“I think they are excellent books and they have given learners who are not confident readers the opportunity and enthusiasm to start reading. This is a huge achievement for some as we have many learners who just would not normally engage in any type of reading.”
Looking to the future
This is your chance to fuel the reading revolution that’s taking place in prisons across the UK. We have sent Diffusion books to nearly every prison in England and Wales, but why stop there?
There are so many more vulnerable adults across the UK that would benefit from receiving a Diffusion book. For example, literacy rates are also low amongst people who are homeless and amongst young people who are considered to be ‘at risk’ of offending. We have connections with homeless charities and community groups that work with these under-privileged people, but we want to do more! These books are a “fantastic teaching tool” (English tutor at HMP Hewell) and we want to help more people gain access to them!
Get involved!
Supporting SPCK’s Diffusion programme is helping bring real hope for change to so many people in prison and with criminal records like this man from HMP Barlinnie who told us:
“this is the first book I have read! My age is 61. It made me think about making choices and other people’s point of view and planning ahead. I enjoyed taking part in a reading group because it built my confidence and showed that I am not alone in my reading skills.”
Give to SPCK today, and you too can change a life just like this one.