HMYOI - Polmont Stirlingshire

 

to see the chess sets and other art

Prisoners from HM YOI Polmont helping disadvantaged young Russian adults Prisoners from HM Young Offender Institute (HM YOI) Polmont have donated chess boards to children in Russia, with thanks to a partnership with the UK based Charity, Scotland Language Action Towards Education (SLATE).   The partnership came about when Glasgow-based storyteller, Michael Kerins visited HM YOI Polmont to co-facilitate a "Young Dad's" presentation.  Mr Kerins saw the chess boards which were being hand-made by the young males in the Independent Living Unit (ILU) at the establishment and thought this would benefit the Russian children cared for via SLATE, a Charity Mr Kerins was working with.  Primarily working in Scotland, SLATE aims to inform and educate financially support disadvantaged Russian young people.   The chess boards and chess pieces are made out of plaster which is mixed on site and poured into mould.  The pieces are the left to dry, before being removed from their moulds.  Further drying is required before 2 - 3 coats of paint are applied.  The pieces are finished off with a bronze or silver gilding wax to make them look more metallic.  The boards are made in the same way and painted or varnished to provide a wooden or metallic finish.  It takes an individual approximately eight hours in the work-shed over a two week period, to complete a chess board.   Chess boards from HM YOI Polmont are presented to SLATE in sets of two at a time.  Whilst the Russian children benefit in an educational and recreational capacity, the young adult males at Polmont are utilising the opportunity to work towards their Personal Development, Self Awareness certificate at Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) Intermediate Level 1.  Additionally, individuals are capitalising on the experience by showing other prisoners how to play the game, which can be used to their Teach Others How To Play, SQA award.  Governor at HM YOI, Kate Donegan, said: "This partnership unites two vulnerable adolescent groups of different nationalities and brings educational and recreational benefits to each of them.  A simple game of chess can be a welcome distraction to young Russian people who are disadvantaged in some way; whilst the male population at HM YOI Polmont can utilise the opportunity to work towards an educational certificate from the SQA.”

http://www.sps.gov.uk/MediaCentre/News-3480.aspx