WINCHESTER prisoners have been teaching fellow inmates about the story of Anne Frank, the Jewish Dutch girl killed by the Nazis.

Inmates at Winchester were selected by Nigel Hosking, equality liaison officer, to act as guides and teach fellow prisoners about racial history as part of the Anne Frank Prison Project.

The exhibition, which ran from July 10-19, was finalised with a closing ceremony today (July 19) with special guest and anti-prejudice advocate, Eva Schloss, 84, stepsister and friend to Anne Frank.

Speaking about her audience Ms Schloss said: “I can give them hope and say, ‘You know I went through much worse than you did here and I came out alive’, it’s difficult but I did make it and had a good life and this is a very important message.

“While I was in hiding for two years, we didn’t waste our time, Anna wrote a diary, my brother painted and taught himself six languages so this time here shouldn’t be wasted time, they have opportunities.

“We want to talk to people to break down the barriers of prejudice. It could be colour, it could be religion but we’re trying to minimise this prejudice in this free world.”

The guides, nominated for their earned trustworthiness, helped put the display together and said it had been an interesting journey.

Inmate, Darren Saunders, said: “The aim is to get people to stop stereotyping. I think it’s done the job it’s set out to do.”

Another Peter Austin said: “I find it very fascinating, it’s about history, it’s about equality and what people go through. Someone can come in and talk about what happened in the past, what’s still going on and racism needs to be cut out.”