From despair to hope

Abstract

Margaret Gough never expected to go to university and was shocked to find herself serving a long prison sentence. In this chapter she provides a vivid account of how one led to the other as she rediscovered her talent for learning in prison. Her Open University studies opened more doors than she expected, and though her account of harrowing times moves toward hopeful conclusions, she remains circumspect that the stains of imprisonment can be removed while prejudice against those who have been in prison goes unchallenged.