We are one of the small band of charities whose heroic efforts Denis MacShane praises in his passionate plea for a prisons policy that makes practical sense, reduces recidivism and takes politics out of prisons (Opinion, 21 May). We have been going since 1991, with the encouragement of the prison service, making educational videos and DVDs for distribution in our prisons. In our early years we had a small public grant but for the last 12 years have been entirely dependent on charitable donations. In the last two years we have set up a pioneering project, Prison Learning TV, backed by a small lottery grant, which produces TV programmes for prisoners, aimed at weaning them off crime and helping prepare them for resettlement, giving many who have sorely lacked it an educational perspective which can transform their lives. But alas, because of the chaotic state of the prison estate and resource deficiencies, our impact is seriously minimised. So, like MacShane, we fervently look to the new justice secretary, Michael Gove, for a sign that, in contrast to all his predecessors, he recognises the prison disaster we all face and will take the radical and imaginative steps needed to cut the ever-burgeoning prison population, an expensive luxury the country cannot tolerate, and put rehabilitation at the heart of policy.
Terry Waite Chair, Benedict Birnberg Deputy chair, and Antonio Ferrara Chief executive, Prison Video Trust
