We were very grateful to the Governor of HMP Wormwood Scrubs for inviting us to see in action the Chess in Prisons project that we have provided some funding for. Chess is a readily available, low-cost, purposeful activity that offers inmates critical skills for life on the outside. It is a game of consequences that trains people to think before acting and can help prisoners to think logically and solve problems.
In the stunning surroundings of the Prison Chapel, we saw International Master and CEO of the CSC Prison Program, Malcolm Pein, simultaneously challenge and, not without a few scares, ultimately defeat all 20 members of the E Wing Chess Club.