WIREDGOV

An anti-sectarianism education programme for adult offenders is to be piloted at Addiewell Prison after the Scottish Government awarded a £20,000 grant to the Iona Community youth department.

The programme seeks to challenge Sectarian prejudices and beliefs and aims to change prisoners' attitudes so they learn to accept diversity and promote citizenship.

The Iona Community have a successful track record of working with young offenders on similar anti-sectarianism projects and have run similar courses at Polmont Young Offenders Institution since 2003.

Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing said:

"The Scottish Government is committed to tackling wherever and whenever it is occurs. I have seen the successful work of the Iona Community in tackling sectarianism during a visit to Polmont YOI and I am pleased to award this £20,000 grant that enables them to extend their work.

"Our strategy on tackling sectarianism is based on funding key projects and bringing together organisations to work together to send a clear message throughout the country that sectarianism is never acceptable, never excusable.

"Sectarianism has blighted Scotland for too long but working together we are committed to building a Scotland where sectarianism is consigned to the dustbin of history, a Scotland that recognises and celebrates that all our faiths and cultures make us a better, stronger nation."

The Iona Community is a charity which has a history of working with young offenders. Its aims are to promote inclusion and build community cohesion. The Iona Community is strongly committed to tackling sectarianism.

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