“I first heard about Gaisce in Prison from a staff member. Doing the Award I learned about myself and others, I grew up as a man and recognised that everyone is the same, no matter where you’re from” Milo - Bronze, Silver and Gold Awardee, Loughan House, Open Prison
Gaisce The President’s Award is a Self-Development programme for young people between the ages of 14 and 26 which has been proven to enhance confidence and wellbeing through the participation in Skill, Community, Physical and Team based challenges with the support of a Mentor or President Award Leader (PAL). Gaisce operates across the entire educational and youth services in Ireland and includes the Irish Prison Service. The Gaisce Award Programme is also part of a global network of Award Programmes (The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award) consisting of 130 countries Worldwide.
This workshop aims to share the values of incorporating an Award programme like Gaisce into custodial settings for young adults and the impact not only for prisoners who are eligible to engage in the programme but also on the staff and peer leaders that support them.
“I have seen and felt the positive outcome for prisoners doing the Gaisce Award. Anyone who takes part in this Award can not only succeed but can get back on the right track and that, to me, is a major step towards rehabilitation”. Gaisce PAL - Mountjoy Prison
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Marion Irwin-Gowran MA
Project Manager, Gaisce-The President's Award, Ireland
Marion Irwin-Gowran is a Project Manager with Gaisce-The President’s Award, The National Youth Award Programme from the President of Ireland to young people between the ages of 14-26. Marion is responsible for supporting the development of the Gaisce Award programme in Youth Justice settings in Ireland and in the Irish Prison Estate. Marion has been working for the Gaisce Award for many years and is passionate about the transformative effect a positive pro-social programme like Gaisce can have on young adult prisoners and their families.
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Donncha Walsh
Ex-Governor, Irish Prison Service, Ireland
Donncha Walsh is a recently retired Governor of The Progression Unit, a step-down prison part of the main Mountjoy prison in Dublin, Ireland. Before his retirement Donncha served for over 30 years in the Irish Prison Service. Donncha has been a champion and ambassador of the Gaisce Award Programme within Irish Prisons for over 20 years and has supported many prisoners directly and indirectly through the Award and has seen first hand the impact the Award can have on the lives of the young people who find themselves in custody. Donncha is currently involved in supporting the work of Gaisce and the Irish Red Cross within the prison estate.
