Shannon Trust, the charity supporting people in prison to learn to read, has launched its first digital learning offer at HMP Ashfield, managed by Serco. Their learning programmes are peer-to-peer, with people in prison who can read being trained to mentor learners through the programme.
The new initiative introduces a digital version of the charity’s well-established reading programme, Turning Pages, allowing people in prison to build their reading skills through flexible, in-cell access to learning.
With recent figures showing that over 70% of people in prison struggle with their reading, Shannon Trust hopes that this digitally accessible version of their Turning Pages literacy programme is another way to encourage people in prison to engage with learning independently, which ultimately reduces re-offending.
The project will also help build digital inclusion and employability skills. Learners in the prison are building confidence not only in reading, but in using digital tools. Peer mentors at HMP Ashfield are also being trained to provide support via a Turning Pages Digital helpdesk.
Learners and peer mentors are already seeing success using Turning Pages Digital. The charity plans to use their feedback to inform future rollouts across other prisons.
“As a mentor, being able to monitor the commitment of your learner gives great pride, as the work you do with them inspires them to continue in their own time, with the ability to pause when they get stuck. It's easily laid out, with dyslexia friendly overlays,” said a Shannon Trust mentor currently supporting people to learn to read at HMP Ashfield.
HMP Ashfield was also the first prison to have a dedicated Shannon Trust library, making it a unique environment for the project. The library, run in partnership with Serco, offers a programme of literacy provision, which is further supported by access to Turning Pages Digital. Together, the library and digital programme aim to reach even more people with the life-changing power of reading.
A learner in the prison using Turning Pages Digital to improve their reading skills said: “I’m finding using Turning Pages Digital easy. It makes me think in a more interactive way than with the books. I like the smiley faces and the trophies because they’re motivating and make me want to keep learning. I don’t mind the books, but I find it much easier using the [in cell technology].”
“We’re proud to be piloting Turning Pages Digital with Serco at HMP Ashfield,” Amanda Segelov, Director of Operations South at Shannon Trust says.
“This is a significant step in making reading accessible in new and flexible ways. It’s about empowering people — whether through one-to-one mentoring, self-directed study, or gaining confidence with digital tools.”
Rachel Barras, Serco Prison Director at HMP Ashfield, added: “Being able to read is one of the most important life skills a person can develop. I am proud of the collaboration between the Shannon Trust, our staff and prisoners in enabling more prisoners to develop the ability to read.”
Shannon Trust aims to roll this work out in more prisons, to help reduce the levels of low literacy across the criminal justice system.
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