Chris Parsons’ Blog

Hello “Do you sell Frogs?” was this week’s unusual sales enquiry and, before you express an opinion one way or the other, no we do not. We do however have an extraordinary large number of frogs….

Hello   Sarah Hocking who has helped so much to develop this place over the last five years is moving on. In October Sarah is off to do exciting things in other places. We are now…

Hello One offender, one court case, one prison sentence. Quite straightforward retribution and punishment; done, dusted, out of sight and out of mind. Well not quite, not at LandWorks. It’s not unusual in the first few…

Hello Is this the end? Or a new beginning? It would be sad to say goodbye, so let’s not… You may have heard about the new General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”), that comes into effect this…

Hello I thought you would be interested in an extract from a recent PeN interview. A reflection from Ernie, who does the prison run twice a day. Taking our van to collect and return HMP prisoners…

Hello Recently somebody visiting the field gate stall left a note in our comments book… “I’m rather worried about the lovely old man in the veg garden, he’s been hobbling for a few days”. On reading…

Hello We have an old ship’s bell hanging in the yard. Daily it is clanged to summon us, gather us together for lunch, usually about one o’clock. On a quiet day we will be around 12…

Hello A couple of walkers recently paused at the LandWorks Shop and introduced themselves… We’re from Yorkshire, just passing, what happens here then? LandWorks is a resettlement project for those already in or at risk of…

Hello “Look Chris, it’s a well-known fact that the loos in the Houses of Parliament have traces of cocaine on them… they’re all at it!” Ahh, another justification for crime! A drug dealer’s rationale is that…

Hello “I feel a bit ashamed to be honest, but I’ve been really looking at myself, it is me saying yeah I take responsibility.” Bob, January 2018 There is a pathway of change at LandWorks. Part…

Hello The New Year often brings a flurry of new ideas and a rejuvenated enthusiasm. A helpful balance to the difficulties and frustrations others have experienced over the Christmas period. “Alright Chris I got this amazing idea, I’ve…

Hello A frosty start, wisps of wood smoke and the tip tap of hammers a hammering. The creative festive hum is only occasionally punctuated by a distressing wailing from the wood workshop as Graham attempts a…

Hello I’ve answered the phone, hesitating because I didn’t recognise the number. “It’s Frank, you alright mate?” As it happens I am, it’s Friday morning, and the sun’s out. “Chris tell me this… why do you…

Diary extract: 8th November 2013 (LandWorks has been up and running for 4 months) Apparently last night in prison, Joe was again doing his peculiar Hitler impersonation. Terrifying I should have thought, moustache, slicked back hair…

The actual effect of privatised rehabilitation, via Project Manager Chris Parsons’ fortnightly blog.