I spent an interesting few hours at a prison on Sunday. No, I have not been bad, not even naughty. But the inmates do spend a lot of time playing chess, and so I was looking at how feasible it was to support that need. Being a community volunteer in a prison is an interesting experience. Sure, there are police checks, and photo id to show each time, but the whole process is fairly easy to use and is not onerous. Your personal safety is always an issue anywhere you go, but it cannot be any worse in a prison, the way I can see it working.
I am thinking of holding a session on a regular basis, for say 3 hours, one unit per visit. A unit consists of say 40-60 prisoners. The whole prison may hold 1000 prisoners. Sure, not all units or all prisoners will be interested in chess. But what I can do is not limited – teach chess, just play some chess, hold a simul or an event amongst the prisoners – and would be in response to their needs. If it gets organised enough, it could be inter-unit competitions – the winner to hold the conquest cup!
If anyone has any suggestions, or has had experience before or whatever, please get in touch.
Note that in NZ, volunteers do receive a $150 (3 x $50) petrol voucher following 6 prison visits a year.
Hamilton Chess Club 