Thameside Prison Project with Strength & Learning Through Horses
We embarked on a new, exciting project in September 2020 – to take the horses across London to support young offenders in double lockdown – in prison and locked in their cells to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading.
The project was supposed to start in April but, due to the national lockdown, was delayed. Thanks to the dedicated staff at HMP Thameside we managed to start and complete a 10-week course, specially designed for 11 young offenders, to help them manage their emotions and discover new ways to deal with stress and anger in a prison setting and when they are released.
Staff and horses traveled from Edgeware, through the Blackwell Tunnel and beyond to provide this vital service in uncompromising conditions. We experienced hour-long traffic jams, a wasp sting, and escaping horses during our time at the prison! Through our highly skilled horses and staff, we built amazing connections with young men who often struggled to communicate and have both experienced and been perpetrators of much violence in their lives.
The course culminated in 11 young men gaining AQAs in ‘Understanding Horse Psychology’ and ‘Employability and Horsemanship’, alongside receiving new insight and skills to manage their emotions – in some cases, for the first time in their life. Prison staff were amazed at the change in the young men and are continuing to build on the positive changes through their in-house links and services.
At the end of the course prisoners told staff:
“At first I was worried about what people would think but then my confidence increased and I stopped caring"
"I came even when I didn't want to go outside as I got a real sense of accomplishment and satisfaction after each session"
"I am getting better at taking others perspectives and listening to what they have to say"
"I learned that patience is key"
" It was the only thing that I had to look forward to each week; now I try to think before I react and stay calm and if I don't understand I ask questions"
"I have ADHD and get bored easily - it takes a lot to keep me intrigued but I was intrigued every week"
"I learned to talk about my emotions more and believe in myself"
