Working in a prison environment is a great opportunity for Samaritans to be a small part of a multi-cultural community and to remind ourselves that whatever one’s mistakes or failings we are all human
Prisoners are ten times more likely to commit suicide than the general population. In fact, statistics currently show that on average, at least two prisoners will take their own lives in a UK prison every week, and 950 will deliberately harm themselves.
All around the country, Samaritans are working in partnership with prisons and the Yeovil & District Branch is no exception.
The relationship with Guys Marsh near Shaftesbury in Dorset goes back many years. I now head up a team of 7 who are involved and help to train ‘Listeners’- prisoners who have chosen to volunteer to support other prisoners who may be in distress or even feeling suicidal.
Over the past year we have trained 8 listeners who come from a variety of backgrounds and who together make a committed team. Two Samaritans from the Prison Support Team meet with the Listeners every Wednesday evening to discuss call outs and other activities they have undertaken and to provide ongoing advice, training and support.
All Listeners at Guys Marsh are trained by our team to follow the Samaritan rules of confidentiality, being impartial and non-judgmental.
There is a Listener ‘on call’ at the prison 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call outs to see prisoners in distress are all acted upon face to face and may last for up to two hours or more. Listeners also try to meet every new prisoner during reception/induction.
In 2018 our Listeners were called out to visit someone in distress 254 times. Many callers are experiencing mental health difficulties, bullying and are self-harming.
Prisoners who volunteer to support their peers in this way do a fantastic job for no financial or other reward. As with Samaritans their reward is knowing they have given something back to their fellow man and made a contribution to their own community. In the case of Guy’s Marsh that can be a very difficult and demanding experience for those who live there.
Working in a prison environment is a great opportunity for Samaritans to be a small part of a multi-cultural community and to remind ourselves that whatever one’s mistakes or failings we are all human and face similar challenges experiences and pressures in our lives.
Could you volunteer with the Yeovil Branch of Samaritans? Our principle work is answering phones at our Centre in Yeovil, but our outreach work includes schools and Yeovil District Hospital, as well as Guys Marsh Prison.
Why not join us at our information evenings which take place on the first Wednesday of every month at 7pm at 25 The Park, Yeovil, BA20 1DG. To find out more, call our information line on 01935 414015, email [email protected] or visit our website at https://www.samaritans.org/branches/samaritans-yeovil-sherborne-and-district.