Srebrenica Now at Feltham YOI - short story prize
A 21-year-old from Beirut, on remand for several months at Feltham YOI, has scooped the £100 top prize in a national short story competition run by the Writers in Prison network. The prize was announced at Crimson Harvest , the latest exhibition in Feltham’s new gallery space.
Hassan, who wrote in English with the help of a dictionary, beat prisoners from all over the country of all ages – both experienced writers and novices – with his story about his life. It was the first short story that he had ever written.
“I was very surprised,” he said of the moment he received the news. “I thought that the letter wasn’t for me. I’m foreign and my English isn’t very good.”
But Amanda Wait of the Writers in Prison Network said Hassan’s winning story, which will now be published in an anthology, shone out amidst the 200 entries.
“The judges thought the story was outstanding and thoughtful,” she said. “It was a very reflective piece of writing and it’s very hard to reflect when you’re in prison.”
The standard of the 30 entries received from Feltham YOI was exceptionally high, she said. In total three entries were shortlisted for prizes.
Carol Gaskin, the Governor in charge of Foreign Nationals at Feltham YOI, said the prison was proud of Hassan’s entry and of everyone else at Feltham who had supported the competition – whether prisoners writing stories or staff who had helped to teach writing and other creative skills.
“It’s given everyone a massive boost of confidence and joy to have stories based on our experience here given this profile,” she said. “This has had a ripple effect through the whole prison.”
Hassan and other prize winners were given certificates at the opening of Crimson Harvest , staged by bridging arts.
The show, which has particular resonance for prisoners who have come from conflict zones, presents paintings by Bosnian refugee artist Pero Mandic depicting the war in the former Yugoslavia.
ENDS