Young offenders learn to play chess at Hydebank

Northern Ireland World

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00:00Chess was introduced at Hydebank Wood College by Lisburn Chess Club back in August 2025.

00:09Today there are more than a dozen young men taking part in the weekly class where they learn to play the game.

00:14They call themselves the Silent Knights.

00:16It's a distraction from the isolation of prison life, but the real benefits are much wider.

00:21Developing sportsmanship and academic skills for life on the outside.

00:25There's always been chess sets available for prisoners to use their free association time and in their cells.

00:29But since the Lisburn Chess Club course has really taken off with the boys and indeed some of the females here in Hydebank too.

00:36Chess can help our young people to think logically, solve problems and it can help to build resilience and self esteem.

00:43It teaches you to plan ahead and take responsibility for your actions.

00:46So in addition, it can help to relieve the inevitable isolation and boredom that comes from being locked up for long periods of time in the cell.

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