She spoke about her experiences as an arts and crafts teacher at Lewes Prison, starting with her arrival at the prison on crutches, having hurt her knee, and parking in the Governor's parking space. She had to knock at the door and wait to be let in, then her crutches were searched for drugs.
She painted a grim picture of life inside – 70 per cent of the prisoners were unable to read and as a former primary school teacher she realised their problems had started very early. Many were suffering from illnesses like asperger's, autism and schizophrenia but in the prison hospital they were mixed in with murderers and rapists.
Around 60 per cent of prisoners had been in care so never knew family life. Her lessons in the art room involved her being locked in with 27 prisoners for two hours and making sure she kept the keys to the workshop tools on her at all times. She realised that the television programme Porridge was more accurate than she had thought. She added she stopped reading newspapers so she would not know what crimes the prisoners in her class had committed.
The club, with members throughout the Eastbourne and Wealden area including Hailsham, Polegate, Willingdon and Seaford, is part of Soroptimist International, a world-wide women's organisation who campaign and support projects, locally, nationally and internationally for women, families and the environment.
Further information from 01323 769004 or www.soroptimists-gbi.org.