The annual Longford Lecture took place at Church House Westminster on 11 November 2021.
The spectacular circular Assembly Hall of the historic Westminster venue has hosted the Longford Lecture since 2002. Catering after the lecture is by the Clink, which provides training, support, and jobs for serving and ex-prisoners.
The many adjoining event spaces to the Assembly Hall are used on the evening for the charities that work closely with the Longford Trust, as well as exhibitions by Longford Prize winners and Longford Scholars, providing a chance to meet the trustees and network.
For the past 19 years, the Longford Lectures have featured well-known names as well as Longford Scholars, reflecting on prison policy and the need for broader social reform. The lectures aim to provide a platform for national discussion; make significant recommendations to policymakers, and encourage wider public debate about prison reform.
This year George The Poet, musician, writer, campaigner, and podcaster, agreed to deliver the 2021 Longford Lecture. His theme was ‘Change From The Inside: What is possible inside prisons, that is not possible on the outside?’ It is available to watch by clicking here. The event also featured the award of the Longford Prize to Women in Prison and the reading of the Pinter Poem and saw the inaugural Kevin Pakenham Award presented by Ronke Phillips Pakenham to the scriptwriter, Jimmy McGovern, for his BBC 1 series, Time, set in a prison.
George the Poet explains why his theory of evolution not revolution in prisons is vital for education.
'Education that helps people explore who they are is empowering, a qualification in itself'. #Longford2021 @GeorgeThePoet pic.twitter.com/PbH0woVSkq— The Longford Trust (@LongfordTrust) November 11, 2021
Peter Stanford, Director, Longford Trust, commented: “Thank you so much for your patience, flexibility, and hard work. It contributed hugely to the success of the event and made my life – as regards technology especially – so very easy. I am so grateful. You have dragged me in the twenty-first century!”.
“The event was a resounding success and you made it such a perfect event and evening for us all. Thank you for all your hard work and the level of security you provided. Look forward to seeing you next year, if not before!”, noted Sara Boxer, Office Manager, The Longford Trust.
For more information please get in touch with us via our contact form or give us a call on 020 7390 1590 to discuss your event.