The Otago Corrections Facility prisoner who won top prize in the Otago Daily Times prison writing competition is congratulated yesterday. Photo: Craig BaxterThe winner of the Otago Daily Times' prison writing competition choked back tears as he was presented with his prize yesterday. The inmate, aged in his 50s, took top prize in the New Chapters initiative for his vivid description of West Coast nautical tragedy in Tuna Madness. At a ceremony at the Otago Corrections Facility yesterday, he was presented with a selection of books, supplied by the University Book Shop, and strangled his emotions as he thanked prison staff who had backed him during his years behind bars. The man, in his 20s, noted the first time he had appeared in the newspaper was under less auspicious circumstances.

Source: Otago Daily Times October 17, 2018 15:22 UTC