Xmas Comes Early

On 30th November 2000 I had been to one of those Christmas dinners which duty calls upon one to attend. The meal was fine, but the real desert was to await me when I returned home and found this letter on my home fax forwarded to me from the Education Department at HMP The Mount from the prisoner, Benson.

Although the session date may be askew and the grammar a mite wayward - (a dilemma which I can, myself, more than empathise with being, as I am, a more than middling dyslexic), - the core of the note speaks from the gut and the thoughts contained therein are not for purchase.

One moment such as this is more than recompense for all the hours of paper work, security clearances and general scrawl.

On 27th November I participated in a workout with a drama group about Shakespeare's work. It was an uplifting experience for me, for anything to get me out of my cell in the afternoon is welcomed because I have to remain in my cell for the whole afternoon. I was surprised to see the visitors mingling with us, the inmates, as if we'd known each other for years. After going through with the Workout, I felt the mask on my face falling off because I was able to be myself without any of the drama group members making me feel like a criminal. They made me feel special. Finally, the one thing that touched my heart was when the leader of the group said that 'Shakespeare's language, belongs to all of us and we must not let anyone take that away from us. I really enjoyed myself and looking at the eyes of my fellow inmates, I think they did enjoy the whole Workout.

So, I use this opportunity to thank the group members, especially their leader. I hope God will continue to strengthen them for the work they are doing. I hope they will return again soon.

Yours sincerely,

Benson

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Editor's Note:-

As Cole Porter still has it: 'Who Could Ask for Anything More?'