Camilla in the clink! Duchess of Cornwall visits a women’s prison in Sutton to meet inmates and learn about rehabilitation programmes
- Duchess of Cornwall visited HM Prison Downview in Sutton, south London today
- Camilla, 72, donned a stylish blue blazer and matching skirt for the occasion
- She spoke with inmates and learnt about the prison’s rehabilitation programmes
The Duchess of Cornwall became prisoner Cell Block HRH today as she met female inmates – jailed for everything from firearms offences to human trafficking – learning skills to find jobs on the outside.
Camilla was on a visit to the closed Downview Prison in Sutton, Surrey, one of 12 women-only institutions in the country.
There she heard from staff and offenders about their experiences inside and how the establishment is helping inmates to develop employment skills ahead of their release.
The Duchess of Cornwall walks with governor Natasha Wilson, left, during her visit to HM Prison Downview in Sutton, south London
The Prince of Wales’ wife (pictured with the governor) spoke with staff and inmates and learnt about the prison’s rehabilitation programmes
The Duchess of Cornwall toured the grounds alongside the jail’s governor Natasha Wilson
Wearing an elegant purple suit, Camilla was driven in through Downview’s heavily-guarded perimeter, with the gate locked behind her, before getting out of her official car.
As one of the country’s closed prisons it houses inmates facing life after being jailed for crimes including murder and terror offences, as well as those with challenging behavioural issues.
She was greeted by Natasha Wilson, Governor of the 360-strong prison, which is also home to the largest female wing in Europe, housing more than 200 prisoners.
Walking through gardens planted with rows of pretty flowers, Camilla was first taken to the Max Spielmann Academy, an on-site shop where inmates are trained in hi-tech photographic industry techniques and given the opportunity to to earn a customer service qualification.
Part of the Timpson group, Max Spielmann, one of the Uk’s leading specialist photo printing chains, long worked within prisons and with ex-offenders, offering them employment opportunities when they are released.
The Duchess of Cornwall sits flanked by governor Natasha Wilson as they sit down with staff and prisoners at a reading group in the library at HM Prison Downview in Sutton, south London
Camilla speaks with a prisoner at Making for Change, a fashion training and manufacturing unit at the women-only jail
Camilla walked into the room where women were busy creating print, cards, mugs, canvases and even t-shirts.
The Duchess cheerfully breezed in, asking the ladies how long they had been there and whether they hoped to get a job on release.
‘So you go straight there [to the Max Spielmann Academy] when you come out then,’ she asked one inmate. ‘How brilliant, it was really nice to meet you.’
Among the inmates she spoke to was Marsida, 29, who later revealed she had been jailed for eight years for firearms and drugs offences and had served seven months of her sentence at Downview so far.
‘I have learnt a lot, making canvass, cups, key rings, t-shirts,’ she told the duchess. Pointing to her work proudly, she explained: ‘People can get any design they want.
‘We all love it here, you learn a lot. We all learn our different skills, we progress and when we get out we have a job to go to as well. It’s amazing. ‘
Before she left Camilla was given her own mug and said smilingly: ‘I’ll enjoy every moment of it. You have done it beautifully.’
The Duchess of Cornwall (centre) speaks with Kelly, (left) a prisoner working in the Clink charity kitchen, which supplies catering for external events
Camilla speaks with a prisoner at Making for Change, a fashion training and manufacturing unit within HM Prison Downview in Sutton, south London
Camilla speaks with Marsida, a prisoner, being trained in the Max Spielmann Academy, an onsite shop where inmates are trained in up-to-date photographic industry techniques
Marsida later explained: ‘When I came in here it was for my first offence but I was obviously facing a really long sentence. Eight years. That’s a long time.
‘So I was really grateful for the chance to to do this and to join the academy. It means I will have a job on the outside and the chance to earn an income. To be honest, given what I was facing it’s given me hope.’
Camilla’s next stop was Making For Change, a fashion training and manufacturing unit established by the Ministry of Justice and the London College of Fashion in 2014.
The project produces daywear, accessories and homeware to an industry standard, offering the women a chance to occupy themselves, enjoy a better well-being and learn new skills, thereby hopefully reduce reoffending rates.
Camilla chatted to a group of women busy working on sewing machines making children’s blouses.
They included two Lithuanian women, who cannot be named, who were jailed for human trafficking offences.
Following her tour of the prison, Camilla visited Maggies (pictured) at The Royal Marsden hospital in Sutton. The centre provides free cancer support for those suffering with the illness as well as their family and friends
The Duchess of Cornwall meets with participants of a Mindfulness session at the Maggies centre to hear how the centre has helped them through their ongoing treatment and recovery
One burst into tears as she talked to Camilla, telling her how she was being released on April 5 and being deported back to Lithuania, where her mother still lives. She explained she had family in Birmingham, but it was too far for them to visit her there.
‘I have only a few days left,’ she sobbed, ‘I am so happy, I can’t wait. I have been here for 14. You miss your family.’
In the prison library, which is now working with the National Literacy Trust, of which Camilla is patron, the Duchess met with an inspirational group of prisoners who are organising a literary festival – Penned Up – for inmates with guest speakers including Levi Roots and George the Poet.
They have even, apparently, invited the Duchess of Sussex, but it is not clear whether she has responded.
‘This festival is a marvellous idea. You will all learn so much from it,’ Camilla enthused.
‘It really does give us hope,’ she was told. ‘We have been encouraged to write to people who inspire us – we have even written to Meghan. We can aim high.’
One prisoner, Lucy, 40, jailed for fraud, told Camilla how she had been so inspired that she had joined the Shannon Trust, a national charity supporting thousands of prisoners a year by training them to teach other prisoners who can’t read.
She said: ‘I’ve been here since May and I’ve been so inspired I now want to be a teacher when I am released.’
Maggies Chief Executive Dame Laura Lee, Camilla, and Maggies London Development Board Chairman, Dori Dana Haeri pose for a picture during a visit to Maggies
The royal chats with staff as she is given a tour of the Maggies centre at the Sutton-based hospital today
Camilla also sat down with a reading group who were discussing The Man Who Didn’t Call by Rosie Walsh, which Lucy said had been one of her favourite books To read this year.
One female prisoner told the Duchess: ‘I’m dyslexic and had never read a book but they got me into audio books and now I’m learning.’
Another added: ‘It keeps me a bit sane, really. We love the librarians, they help keep us sane. We can be a bit of a hard bunch sometimes. It takes us away, really.’
Discussing how the women find their reading offers them the chance to escape, even if it is in their own heads, Camilla remarked: ‘Everyone can escape in books. We all have different ideas, different suggestions.
‘The beauty of reading is that you can travel far and wide in your minds. I think your idea for a festival is wonderful.’
Over in the Clink charity kitchen, which supplies top quality catering for high-profile external events including London’s historic Guildhall, as well as giving women the chance to work for their own qualifications, Camilla tried several delicious canapes including pumpkin pancotta and ham hock terrine.
The Duchess of Cornwall walks through the garden with landscaper Piet Oudolf during a visit to Maggies at The Royal Marsden hospital
The Duchess of Cornwall (pictured) has been President of Maggie’s since 2008 and has visited 11 centres across England, Wales and Scotland
Women are risk assessed before being allowed in the kitchens and work is limited to those deemed safe to use the equipment, having previous kitchen experience or reaching the end of their sentences.
Work is not offered to those convicted of knife crime offences.
Camilla chatted to Jade, 36, convicted of conspiracy to supply drugs who will be released in 2022 and Kelly, 37, convicted of possession with intent to supply.
Both chatted about how much they were enjoying the work, particularly Jade who had kitchen experience previously and was looking forward to being allowed out to work on Temporary Release On Licence.
Kelly, who will be released in December this year, added: ‘I asked to be transferred here and have been in the kitchen for just over a week. It gives you something to do and I am learning a new skill.
‘I’ll have an NVQ at the end of this. Hopefully It means I’ll never come back. Let’s face it I’ve stepped off the path, but hopefully this means I get back on it.’
Governor Natasha Wilson said of the visit: ‘We want to show the women here empathy, education and learning. It’s about rehabilitation as well as [retribution].
‘It’s about using their time usefully as well as dealing with offending behaviour. But we also want to make sure we are training them up to fill gaps in the market and matching them up with employers who are willing to employ ex-offenders.’
Architect Ernesto Bartolini, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Architect Ab Rogers describe the ideas behind the Maggies centre’s design
The first Maggies Centre opened in Edinburgh in 1996 and there are now 26 centres across the UK and internationally, with more planned for the future. Pictured: Camilla speaks with staff
Praising the duchess for visiting she added: ‘It brings a buzz to the place, it’s lovely for everyone here. It shines a light on the work we are doing and and makes the women feel valued and trusted and proud to speak about the work they are doing.
‘A lot of women have trod a difficult path and don’t have a lot of self-esteem. What it comes down to is needing to keep the women busy, we have a lot of challenging cases here, and helping to get themselves set up for release.’
The jail opened in 1989 as a category C Male Prison, converted from the former nurses’ home of Banstead Hospital, and in 2001, it was converted to an establishment just for women.
Following her tour of the prison, Camilla visited Maggies at The Royal Marsden hospital in Sutton.
The centre provides free cancer support for those suffering with the illness as well as their family and friends.
The first Maggies Centre opened in Edinburgh in 1996 and there are now 26 operations across the UK and internationally, with more planned for the future.
Camilla has been President of Maggie’s since 2008 and has visited 11 centres across England, Wales and Scotland.
Prince Charles and Camilla met musician American Katy Perry, second left, and businesswoman Natasha Poonawalla, left, as they arrive to attend a reception for supporters of the British Asian Trust in London on Tuesday
During today’s visit, the Duchess of Cornwall met with patients of a Mindfulness session to hear how the centre has helped them through their ongoing treatment and recovery.
Prince Charles did not accompany Camilla, but on Tuesday she was by her husband’s side to be meet Katy Perry at a gala in London as the Prince of Wales announced the pop sensation would be an ambassador for the British Asian Trust.
Prince Charles, 71, and the Duchess of Cornwall donned their finery as they arrived at the Banqueting House for the dinner, which was being held to support the work of the charity that aims to offer social support across South Asia.
Last Friday Night singer Katy, 35, seemed equally happy to be joining the Prince of Wales again, after first meeting the heir to the British throne in India in November 2019.
Katy said she hoped to help ‘vulnerable and innocent’ children at risk of trafficking after she was announced as a new representative.
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