Speaker Sharon Allison
Fri, Dec 16th 2016 at 12:55 pm - 2:10 pm
Cheque Presentation to Castleview School
Rotary club of Stirling meeting of 16th December.
President Alan Rankin welcomed members to our Xmas lunch. There was one visitor, our speaker Sharon Allison. President Alan and Tom Thomson had visited Castleview school where they were treated to an excellent concert.Having presented our cheque to the school, thus renewing an old contact, it was decided that money raised at our Thistle Centre collection on 28th December, would also be donated to Castleview school.
Our speaker Sharon Allison, a psychiatric nurse by training, told us about the great changes at Cornton Vale prison. Arising from a major review of the prison in 2011, there were 37 recommendations amongst which was the setting up of a family visitor centre, of which she is now in charge. Since it opened, 20,000 inmates and their family members have now accessed the service. It provides activities for the inmates and their children allowing ongoing contact with the whole family group. The particular needs of women in prison have been recognised, and there are now fewer inmates in Cornton Vale. The unit works with the 218 project in Glasgow as part of a major restructuring of woman's prisons, the intention being to have five prisons in Scotland for low risk offenders, allowing them to be nearer their own homes. There will eventually be a new unit at Cornton Vale for the much smaller number of high risk female offenders.
The vote of thanks was given by Jane Wilson.
Our next meeting is on 6th January. Speaker's host Philip Allison, visitor's host Alex Galloway. For further info www.stirling.rotary1010.org
Ian Richardson
