Some Things We Can't Think: Sir Harold Hood Memorial Lecture 2020

"We talk about this pandemic as though we've had a prison-like experience... But I'm not sure that that has resulted in us reaching out to prisoners. We've chosen to socially distance ourselves from 84,000 of our fellow citizens."

Some Things We Can't Think

On Thursday, 3rd December 2020, we held the eighth Sir Harold Hood Memorial Lecture: 'Some Things We Can't Think', given by award-winning storyteller Frank Cottrell-Boyce. Frank gave an inspiring and moving talk on the power of words to bring about feelings and help us realise that others have noticed the same things as us: "'It's not just me', is a really powerful feeling."

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who gave up their time to speak so candidly during the evening and those of you who were able to join us as it happened.

Hidden Sentences: Voices of Prisoners' Families

During the event, we were also thrilled to premiere our brand-new documentary, which was produced by Martin Freeth. Hidden Sentences gives a platform to prisoners' families to share their experiences and explore the impact that imprisonment had on them. You can watch the film here: Watch 'Hidden Sentences'

What is the Sir Harold Hood Memorial Lecture?

The Sir Harold Hood Memorial Lecture has been held for many years by Pact as an opportunity to celebrate the life and memory of a great friend and champion, the late Sir Harold Hood. The lecture seeks to contribute to public knowledge and understanding of how we as a society can make our prisons places in which individuals can achieve personal change and growth and leave to live good lives in stable and healthy relationships with family and the wider community.

Support Pact's work

The Sir Harold Hood Memorial Lecture is a free event; however, donations are always warmly welcomed in support of Pact's work. You can support our work by making a donation online or, for alternative ways to give, please contact our Supporter Relations team.