This date had been in my mind for months, ever since organising from Australia to visit the infamous Dartmoor Prison in Devon. The good thing also was that Neil could come, which is something he couldn't do in Australia without a lot more red tape.
After an effortless entry through the reception area, Sharon and her sister Tamsyn went about showing us the ropes with the Storybook Dads program, then we did a tour of two units, which was just like visiting someone in a boarding house - very relaxed atmosphere, with guards and prisoners seeming to have more mutual respect than in Woodford. Admittedly it is a low security prison now, unlike 200 years ago, and Woodford is high security.
I came away with a lot of resources to take to work in Australia, with more to come, so it was well worth the visit. Might even get a tax break for it - miracles happen!
We had tea at the Yelverton pub, recommended by Tamsyn who, along with Sharon, I have kept in touch with on Facebook. Tamsyn is ajazz singer in a band in Plymouth, so we have music in common.
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| On the moors |
After tea we returned to the hotel and had drinks in the bar with an older couple from London. He used to produce comedies for the BBC and they were both keen to talk about their trips in the past to Australia and New Zealand.
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| Prison entrance |
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| With the Storybook Dads team |
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