Award-winning actor Ralph Ineson stars as a jail inmate who finds solace and redemption through reading in a short film highlighting the work of a charity that helps prisoners find joy in books.
Ineson, best known for playing Finchy in The Office alongside Ricky Gervais, appears as ‘Declan’, who joins a session run by Prison Reading Groups (PRG), leading to a second chance at connecting with his estranged daughter ‘Alice’ (played by his real-life daughter, Rebecca Ineson, 21).
They bond over My Name is Leon by the award-winning author Kit de Waal.
Ineson, 54, said: “Being involved with this film opened my eyes to the connection to the outside world that books give a prisoner, particularly through sharing a book with their family and friends.
“I had the great joy of working with my real daughter in the film.
“Being ‘in character’ as Declan and hearing Becky’s voice coming down the phone was a really emotional moment; one that gave me the smallest insight into how heartbreaking it must be to be forcibly removed from your loved ones.”
Ineson, whose forthcoming films include Nosferatu and The Fantastic Four: First Steps, added: “I hope this short film raises awareness of how access to reading groups in prison can enrich and transform inmates’ lives. The link between poor educational outcomes and involvement with the criminal justice system is well documented, so the benefits of improving literacy via prison reading groups are clear to see.”
The short film, created in conjunction with Media Trust and funded by the Criminal Justice Alliance, showcases the work of PRG and is based on stories from real-life prisoners.
“We wanted to tell the story of how books offer solace and connection, both inside and outside prison,” explained Sarah Turvey OBE, co-founder of PRG.
“We chose My Name is Leon by Kit de Waal, who has previously supported our project, as it is a story that resonates with many prisoners. It is published by Penguin Random House who are one of our key partners and supply books for our projects.”
The novel concerns a boy who is taken into care after his mother is no longer able to cope and goes on to build a new life for himself.
Media Trust works with industry professionals who volunteer their time to create charity films.
Director Davy Lazore said: “My experience with criminal justice reform began alongside my career in film. After graduating, I joined a Social Enterprise that used film-making and theatre to rehabilitate prisoners and fight recidivism.
“There I witnessed the transformative power of the arts, uncovering humanity and potential in the most unexpected of places.
“I want this film to show how something as simple as reading and family connection can enrich a person’s life – even a person in prison.”
PRG, which is a part of the charity Give A Book, was piloted in 1999 at HMP Coldingley in Woking, Surrey, and at HMP Bullingdon in Bicester, Oxon. There are now 108 groups in 78 prisons, supported by prison library staff and volunteers. They meet on average once a month, benefitting hundreds of people every year. Says Victoria Gray, founder and Chief Executive of Give a Book: “The reading groups develop reading skills and ambition, and a sense of connectivity to other people and the world outside.
“Books are chosen by group members, and are provided by PRG and Give a Book, its parent charity since 2017.
Reading groups include sessions for young offenders, emergent readers and prisoners on mental health wings.”
PRG also organises author events and visits from leading literary and journalistic figures including Howard Jacobson, Penelope Lively, Alex Wheatle, Robert Peston and many more.
• To see the film or make a donation visit prisonreadinggroups.co.uk