Learning curve: Robert Ashton meets a prison scholar

‘For Jaidon, prison was an opportunity.’

You could be forgiven for assuming that Jaidon is a fortunate, popular young man, with a bright future. Articulate and intelligent, with a promising career in banking, he had 700 guests at his wedding. But Jaidon grew up in a strict religious family, and felt compelled to keep secret the fact that he is gay.

Outwardly successful, but inwardly tormented, Jaidon became clinically depressed. Inner turmoil prompted a crisis, then a tragedy, followed by a conviction and a life sentence. Jaidon will be fifty before he is eligible for parole; even on release, he will remain on licence for many years.

Many would be broken by this experience but, for Jaidon, prison was an opportunity. ‘Before incarceration,’ he told me, ‘I was physically free, but mentally caged. Now I am physically caged, but mentally free.’ Years of therapy and the support of a Quaker chaplain helped Jaidon turn his life around; he has been welcomed into Quaker membership.

I first encountered Jaidon as a name on a grant application form. I had recently been nominated to join a Quaker Peace & Social Witness grants group that can provide financial support to those undertaking higher education. Jaidon had already been supported to start an Open University degree that combines science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We recently made a second grant that will allow him to complete his qualification.

This flexible qualification, he told me, has ‘a very modern curriculum that relates to real-life scenarios and realistic case studies’. This is vital for a student who is isolated from everyday life, and for whom abstract theory will never equip him for a job (or in Jaidon’s case, the opportunity one day to start his own business).

Studying in prison cannot be simple. Life is regimented and you have no access to the internet. But, paradoxically, these restrictions have created a framework within which Jaidon has found it easy to study. He has a daily planner, and access to a computer. Open University volunteers print out articles and references for him, and he has a support network of family, friends and advisors.

‘I’m a very well organised, disciplined and driven individual,’ he explained, ‘so I find it quite easy to study, which I really enjoy.’ His career in investment banking had equipped him well. I had no hesitation in endorsing Jaidon’s application.

Having mentored a few ex-offenders, I have a sense of how easy it is to lose hope when in prison. I’ve also come to learn how difficult it can be to get a job on release. It is no wonder that so many reoffend. I was impressed by Jaidon’s enthusiasm for learning, and his obvious gratitude.

Jaidon hopes to become a mentor when he is finally released from prison, helping others to benefit from the liberating effect of education. If you are in touch with people in prison, please do tell them about the Adult Education Grants and perhaps help them to apply.

Robert is a member of Norwich Meeting. Find out more about education grants at: www.quaker.org.uk/adult-education-grants.

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