Prison poetry winner spurred on by his Christmas regrets

A REMORSEFUL prisoner has won a novel poetry competition by writing about his regret at having to spend Christmas away from his family.

In the verse, the former drug abuser says his present to his loved ones is that he has turned his life around.

The winning poem was selected from a variety of works by inmates who entered the contest run by the Northern Ireland Prisoner Ombudsman Pauline McCabe.

Ms McCabe said the aim of the initiative was to engage prisoners in a constructive and meaningful activity.

The ombudsman also invited prisoners to design her office’s official Christmas card, which was issued with a special booklet of the poems submitted.

“Choosing a winner in both categories was a difficult task given the very high standard of work produced,” said Ms McCabe.

“We were delighted with the quantity and quality and we thank all those prisoners who took part and the staff who helped them to achieve these outstanding results.”

All entries to the competition, which were based on the theme “Thoughts forChristmas and hopes for the future”, were judged by Ms McCabe, BBC TV and radio presenter Wendy Austin, and former Assembly member Eileen Bell.

Ms McCabe added: “Every prisoner who took part has been given copies of the poetry booklet. Christmas is a hard time to be separated from family and friends, and I know that those who contributed appreciated having the chance to share their poems.”

Next Christmas

Happy Christmas, hope you’re doing well

I wish you joy from my prison cell

I’m sorry I can’t be by your side

But I’ll be there for next yuletide

My heart is with you I hope you know

I long to meet you by the mistletoe

The sparkles, the spangles, the tinsel, the tree

The presents, the turkey, the carols, no me

But I’ve learned a lesson it’s true to tell

I’m sober, I’m drug free and I’m doing well

My present to you is I’ve changed my life

Happy Christmas my parents, my children, my wife