Jail hosts Anne Frank exhibition
Inmates at a Lancashire prison are hosting an exhibition that follows the tragic experiences of Jewish diarist Anne Frank.
The handwritten account of living in hiding from the Nazis before being caught and sent to a concentration camp, is synonymous with prejudice across the world.
HMP Preston is hosting an exhibition in the prison's chapel until June 12 – Anne's birthday.
The displays start with her birth and end with examples of where modern day prejudice has led to death such as the murder of goth girl Sophie Lancaster in Bacup and of black teenager Stephen Lawrence.
A holocaust survivor is to give a talk to inmates and staff.
The project is backed by the Anne Frank Trust which brings the project to prisons in a bid to provoke discussion about diversity issues.
Stephen Boushear, 38, who is on remand for a drugs possession charge, says his experiences in the army triggered his interest in the exhibition.
He said: "I spent 10 years in the army and served in Germany – I was there when the Berlin wall came down.
"I have also served in Bosnia so I have seen first-hand how prejudice can shatter people's lives."
Inmates acted as guides during the official opening which was attended by Mayor Coun Keith Sedgewick and Steve Gadd, exhibitions manager from the Anne Frank Trust.
He said: "We want to promote diversity and racial equality in the prison. We normally host the display in 10 prisons a year."
The exhibition will be shown to staff and inmates.
Kevin Rogers, head of decency at HMP Preston, said: "When the exhibition ends we are hoping it won't stop there.
"We hope to run poetry workshops and creative writing classes around prejudice as well as an accredited course about diversity. We want to encourage a positive attitude and respect."
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 14 C to 19 C
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