Small teams of students have been travelling to HMP Styal, a women’s prison near Wilmslow, to work with offenders on the production of Innit – a quarterly publication.

Joining in the weekly writing workshop at the prison, which is dedicated to the production of Innit in the run-up to deadlines, the students act as mentors.  They discuss story ideas, offer tips on how to write as a journalist and give coaching in interview techniques.  They also help the women to decide on content and page design.

Three magazines have already been produced with the students’ help – the last issue was published at Christmas.  The next team of students has already started working on the Easter edition of Innit.

Sara Eyre, part-time journalism lecturer, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the students and for the University.

“Our presence at Styal could potentially contribute towards the rehabilitation of some of the offenders.  One recently asked for her release date to be delayed so that she wouldn’t miss the final deadline and publication of the magazine she’d been working on.”

Before taking part in the project, students are required to attend a mandatory security induction at the prison, where they are briefed on safety procedures and advised what to do in an emergency situation.

Sara said: “It’s been a huge learning curve for us.  The students are doing brilliantly – getting to grips with working in a prison environment and developing positive working relationships with the women.

“It’s an exceptional and valuable experience for us all.”

The University’s contact at Styal is Kate McCoy, who runs the writing workshops, oversees production of Innit and supervises the students while they are visiting the prison.

She said: “This has been a great two-way opportunity, allowing both the students and the women to learn from each other. 

“As well as learning about journalism and writing, the women have had the chance to meet people involved in full-time education and begin to think about it as a possibility for them.

“And the students involved in the project have been on a learning journey, which has asked them to re-evaluate their own values and prejudices.  Their involvement has definitely helped us to create a more dynamic and up-to-date Innit magazine,” she added.

The University’s involvement in the project is supported by funding from the Lady Monica Cockfield Memorial Trust, which also provides bursary and scholarship opportunities for undergraduate journalism students.

For further information  contact:

Jamie Brown / Karen Reeves

Press and PR Office

T +44 (0)161 295 5370

j.brown@salford.ac.uk / k.j.reeves@salford.ac.uk