WANDSWORTH PRISON
Locked out
RETIRED solicitor Geoff Smith was awarded an MBE for his dedicated voluntary work with foreign nationals at HMP Wandsworth. However, he collected his award with a heavy heart, having been kicked out of the prison, his keys taken from him and escorted from the building with little explanation six months earlier.
Non-British citizens make up half of the London category B reception and resettlement jail’s population, compared to around a tenth in the national estate. Geoff’s charity, BEST (Befriending and Supporting Team), supported them with any needs based on their language and culture barriers or immigration status, as well as providing friendship to those who may not otherwise have had visitors.