The Shannon Trust works across all prisons in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to train and inspire prisoners who can read to teach those that can’t. They support people in the criminal justice system to learn to read and improve other basic skills, so they can pursue wider opportunities and thrive in the community.

They also work in partnership with organisations in the community to offer reading support to those who are caught in the criminal justice system.

‍They provide everything needed for someone to learn to read, including reading resource, Turning Pages. Sessions are one to one, take place outside formal education, and learners work at their own pace. 

‍Their reading programme enables more people in prison to gain a fundamental skill that they need to navigate daily life. It provides prisoners with access to education, training and rehabilitative courses that will help them to address their offending, gain new skills and to move into employment.

The organization also runs the Shannon Trust Through-the-Gate, a programme which represents an extension of the above. It ensures that the support and literacy mentoring continue for individuals who have been released from prison, helping them with their literacy skills and providing assistance in their transition back into the community.