DOCSLIB.ORG

K OESTLER Trustarts Mentoring for Ex-Offenders

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
K OESTLER Trustarts Mentoring for Ex-Offenders 1 KOESTLER TRUST Arts Mentoring for Ex-Offenders (Cover image) Another Face in the Crowd? Mixed Media entry 2012 Sean HM Prison Oakwood, Wolverhampton 12K6219 2 3 CONTENTS Introduction ...................................................................................5 Mentee - Why I applied to be mentored ........................................9 What I got out of mentor training .................................................13 The application process: probation referral ..................................17 Vasiliki Mentor Profile .................................................................18 When I found out I had been matched with a mentor ...................23 Mentor matching: The first meeting ..............................................27 Monument trust scholarship award for fine art 2010 ...................32 The Stephen and Winifred Tumim memorial scholarship award ..34 Evelyn Plesch scholarship award for painting ..............................35 Monument trust scholarship award for fine art 2013 ....................36 Chris Bramble scholarship award for ceramics ............................37 My reason for getting involved with Koestler ...............................41 mentor: Looking back on the mentoring .......................................48 Mentee: What I have gone on to do ..............................................50 Funder .........................................................................................52 With Thanks ...............................................................................53 How you can help us ...................................................................55 4 INTRODUCTION It gives me great pleasure and pride to introduce this offenders with a wider range of needs. So the programme celebration of the Koestler Trust’s ground-breaking arts now has two pathways: Scholarship mentoring (for mentoring programme. offenders who are building on a strong track record of creative achievement) or Gateway mentoring (shorter The Koestler Trust has been awarding, exhibiting and term or more flexible guidance for offenders with selling artworks by prisoners since 1962. We play a potential who would like to take a specific step to unique national role in motivating offenders to take develop their practice). part and achieve in the arts, and we know that this can transform their lives. We are very grateful to those individual donors and grant-making foundations who support specific The mentoring was a new initiative that we introduced mentoring relationships as Scholarship or Gateway in 2007 – aiming to support some of our most talented Awards. It is this generous commitment that will enable award-winners to sustain and develop their creative us to sustain the programme into the future. practice, especially after release into the community. Our mentors are artists, writers and musicians whom we The scheme’s social benefits are the subject of robust recruit, train and support as volunteers. The offender- evaluations by criminologists at the London School mentees refer themselves through the Koestler Awards of Economics and Birmingham City University. The entry process, and are accepted onto the scheme through focus of the present document is on artistic outcomes a combination of artistic judgement, probation officer – a selection of the artworks that the mentoring has risk assessment, and availability of an appropriate generated. mentor. Each mentee has up to 10 mentoring sessions for up to a year. Some mentees have gone on to complete I hope that this booklet will inspire more offenders to art degrees or publish books; others pursue their take up the mentoring opportunity, will encourage more creativity as a leisure activity; all of them see the arts as artists and writers to volunteer as mentors, will enthuse leading them to new lives free from crime. more donors to support the work, and, above all, will attest to the sheer quality of the art. The mentoring was initially funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. The Cabinet Office’s Social Action Dame Anne Owers, Koestler Trust Chair of Trustees Rehabilitation Fund has since enabled us to open up to Former HM Chief Inspector of Prisons 5 Christmas List G4S Highly Commended Award 2008 Emmanuel HM Prison High Down, Surrey 08K5361 6 Out of Darkness, Growth Patrick Holmes Platinum Award for Drawing 2011 Enfield Probation, London 11K3813 7 8 MENTEE – WHY I APPLIED TO BE MENTORED... My work in the last 5 years has received so much praise and positive feedback. I would therefore love to continue my work with Koestler for the coming years as it is “ such as positive way for prisoners to grow and make a difference in their lives.” Mentee applicant, HM Prison Whatton, Nottinghamshire Being part of this writing workshop has had more of a profound effect over me than anything or anyone ever has previously. I’ve developed a better understanding of “ other people. I’ve always hated criticism, but now I seek it out. Constructive criticism helps me to build up confidence and helps me realise that although I’ve made mistakes I can dream outside of the box and allow my pen to flow…Koestler has been a big help and so I would like to benefit even further by working with a mentor.” Mentee applicant, HM Prison Long Lartin, Worcestershire Having never picked up a paintbrush before, I first learnt to draw/paint in 2011 when I attended the art class at HMP Send and discovered I really enjoy it. I had no “ confidence that I would actually be any good but I was surprised to find I had a talent for it, particularly drawing portraits. This has boosted my confidence and shown me that it is never too late to try something new, therefore I am excited to apply to the mentoring scheme and see what else I might be good at!” Mentee applicant, HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution Low Newton, Durham (women) (opposite) Why I Want a Mentor... Submitted by mentee applicant 9 (opposite) The Derelict Detective Highly Commended Award for Digital Image 2012 HM Prison North Sea Camp, Lincolnshire 12K6407 Court Proceedings Drawing entry 2010 Darren HM Prison Risley, Cheshire 10K6126 10 11 Ablingting Oil or Acrylic entry 2010 John HM Prison Blantyre House, Kent 10K4436 12 WHAT I GOT OUT OF MENTOR TRAINING... Having been accepted as a Koestler mentor, I went to the old governor’s house, at Wormwood Scrubs, for my first two days of training. The Koestler Centre is full of artwork, in the hallway, on the walls, on the stairs and landing. It’s a great setting for the next couple of days, where nine of us, each from different disciplines, including sculpture and performance art, will be guided through the mentoring framework. This framework will provide the boundaries, within which the mentor/mentee relationship will work. We are all ages; some have travelled from Manchester and Wales, but although we are distinct from one another in many ways, including the reasons that brought us here, it becomes clear that we share similar hopes and fears about the role we are taking on. The exercises are designed to get us thinking about the potential issues, the responsibilities we have towards our mentees, ourselves, the Trust, to draw the answers out from us. The training is active and interactive. A role-play might seem a game, but is always brought back to something pertinent: the distrust we felt when someone listened carefully to us, respectfully, after previously being made to feel unheard, unbelieved. These two days go by quickly. They’ve been comprehensive without overwhelming, and I feel excited to get started, daunted at the challenge, reassured that I have the resources, in me and in Koestler, to be a good mentor. Angelina, Koestler mentor 13 14 (opposite) Thug Life Lord Ramsbotham Outstanding Award for Oil or Acrylic 2008 Paddy HM Prison Ashwell, Leicestershire 08K2332 Busted! G4S Highly Commended Award for Oil or Acrylic 2008 Paddy HM Prison Ashwell, Leicestershire 09K3105 15 Loud and Proud Oil or Acrylic entry 2013 50th Anniversary Scholarship Award Atherton Probation, Manchester 13K6119 16 THE APPLICATION PROCESS: PROBATION REFERRAL... Towards the latter part of his sentence, my client started talking to me about his art and how he might like to do something with his interest “ and talent after he was released. He sent me some examples of his paintings and I was very impressed at the standard of his work so we discussed approaching Koestler to see if they could help him through the mentoring scheme. He has worked well with staff in the prison and engaged in education whilst in custody. He acknowledges and is remorseful for the mistakes he has made in his past and is determined to move on to live a crime- free life in the future. I therefore fully support his application and assess him to be suitable to work with a mentor on a one-to-one basis in the community. I am in no doubt that he will benefit greatly from the support of a mentor and am thankful to the Koestler Trust for giving him this opportunity.” Jenny, Suffolk Probation 17 VASILIKI MENTOR PROFILE Vasiliki is a graduate of the Royal College of Art, and has had an active career with solo and group exhibitions in England, Greece and the USA. Her work has been included in the National Portrait Gallery’s BP Portrait Award 2002 (Commended) and 2003, as well as the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2010. Her work appears in national and international collections and has been published in ten different catalogues. She also works as an art tutor and workshop facilitator, developing tailor made art programs
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Fact Page 11-12 Healthy Prison Summary Hp.01-Hp.46 13-22
    REPORT ON A FULL ANNOUNCED INSPECTION OF HM PRISON LEWES 10-14 MARCH 2003 BY HM CHIEF INSPECTOR OF PRISONS Crown copyright 2003 ISBN ???????? Printed and published by: Her Majesty’s Chief Inspectorate of Prisons 1st Floor, Ashley House Monck Street London SW1P 2BQ England 2 INTRODUCTION This is not only a report on a good local prison; it is also a report on a prison which has become significantly better, due to effective management and a committed staff group. This improvement was endorsed by many prisoners we spoke to, and by the Board of Visitors. Lewes faces many difficulties. It is an old and poorly-maintained prison. It receives a high proportion of mentally disordered prisoners, many of them with a history of substance abuse, and this has been linked to the high rate of self-inflicted deaths (5 in the preceding year). It seeks to work as an effective local prison, preparing prisoners for release locally, but is frustrated in this by the fact that those prisoners are routinely moved further away from home after short periods, because of the pressure of prison overcrowding. Prison overcrowding has also forced the prison to hold some prisoners in cramped and unfit conditions, particularly on one wing. It is therefore a tribute to the prison’s staff and managers that in many of the areas covered in this report, Lewes scores significantly higher than most local prisons. From the results of our prisoner survey, Lewes was considerably better than other local prisons in relation to reception and first night arrangements, perceptions of safety and respect, and access to telephones: often as much as 20-30% above the average.
    [Show full text]
  • A Matter of Conviction Rachel O'brien and Jack Robson
    A Matter of Conviction A blueprint for community-based rehabilitative prisons Rachel O’Brien and Jack Robson October 2016 The mission of the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) is to enrich society through ideas and action. We believe that all human beings have creative capacities that, when understood and supported, can be mobilised to deliver a 21st century enlightenment. We work to bring about the conditions for this change, not just amongst our diverse Fellowship, but also in institutions and communities. By sharing powerful ideas and carrying out cutting- edge research, we build networks and opportunities for people to collaborate, creating fulfilling lives and a flourishing society. Transition Spaces is a community interest company set up in 2015 to work with justice services to strengthen rehabilitative outcomes. Its focus is on co-design – incubating and facilitating practical change with staff and service users – and on bridging the gap between theory, evidence and practice. For further information please visit: www.thersa.org/action- and-research/ rsa-projects/public-services-and-communities-folder/ future-prison. Or contact Jack: [email protected] Contents About Us 5 Foreword 7 Acknowledgements 9 Key Points 13 SECTION 1: THE CASE FOR CHANGE 1. From Object to Citizens 19 2. Reducing Risk through Strengthening Rehabilitation 29 SECTION 2: THE CONTEXT OF CHANGE 3. Where We Are Now 41 4. Justice Reform 49 5. Health and Wellbeing 57 6. A Time for Transformation 65 SECTION 3: A BLUEPRINT FOR COMMUNITY-BASED REHABILITATIVE PRISONS 7. A New Model of Accountability 73 8.
    [Show full text]
  • Dear Fiona: Letters from a Suspected Soviet
    In this poignant and revealing memoir, Fiona DEAR FIONA FIONA DEAR Fullerton tells for the first time the story of Letters from a Suspected Soviet Spy her friendship with Alex Alexandrowicz a category-A high security prisoner who was He was a suspected Cold War spy. to serve 22 years for a crime he didn’t com- mit. Based on their original letters to each She was a KGB double agent in a Bond movie. other, the narrative is one of startling con- trasts — the darkness of a man incarcerated When a prisoner writes to a movie star, the best DEAR FIONA and a woman surrounded by the brightest he can hope for is a signed photo. But when lights of show business. Alex Alexandrowicz wrote to glamorous actress Letters from a Suspected Soviet Spy Fiona Fullerton, he didn’t expect it to lead to a “It is you alone who has given me strength while friendship spanning 30 years. I have been in prison, the strength to restore lost and dying hope into burning resolution”. Fiona Fullerton was for 30 years a leading The book uncovers Alex’s tender poetry, FIONA FULLERTON actress in theatre, television and films. She prison diaries and artwork, often produced is now a property guru, journalist, interior in solitary confinement while Fiona shares designer and author of three books about her doubts about the fragility of celebrity. investing in the property market. She lives in the Cotswolds with her husband and two “Have you ever heard of Nadejda Philaretovna children. von Meck? She and Tchaikovsky were corre- sponding for years, they never met — and yet he produced his finest work for her.
    [Show full text]
  • NWD Resource
    Voices from prison A selection of writing from the 2018 Koestler Awards, with writing tips and ideas to inspire you to pick up a pencil yourself This resource gives a taste of some of the thoughtful, inventive and moving writing produced by entrants to the 2018 Koestler Awards. We’ve pulled out some of our favourite written entries, a fraction of the nearly 2,000 that came in last year. They give an idea of the vast range of approaches and ideas sent to us, and we hope they will inspire you to try new things! Characters can bring your writing to life, drawing in your People readers and giving a voice to your narrative. Have a look at these very different approaches to describing two people. Funny Business (extract) HM Prison Isle of Wight, Parkhurst The brothers bore a family resemblance but not judged by their looks; they had the same facial expressions, body language, even patterns of speech – as if somebody had duplicated the same person in the bodies of two strangers. Jacky (otherwise Jackson – don’t ask) was tall with dark thinning hair, as lean as a broom handle and had that rumpled look that you’d get by sleeping in your clothes. Johnny (otherwise Johnson – again, don’t ask) was short, paunchy with a Bela Lugosi [Dracula] hairstyle, totally inappropriate considering he was ashen blond. His rumpled look was of a sort that appeared other people had been sleeping in the clothes with him. These were my dinner companions, the Longstreet brothers… She And I (extract) Shaftesbury Clinic I like coffee, she likes tea Her favourite cake is banoffee where mine is cheese She likes to party when I want to chill I think riding should be easy but she likes struggling uphill I’m fond of jackets.
    [Show full text]
  • ART by OFFENDERS, SECURE PATIENTS and DETAINEES from the 2015 KOESTLER AWARDS Welcome Koestler Awards
    ART BY OFFENDERS, SECURE PATIENTS AND DETAINEES FROM THE 2015 KOESTLER AWARDS Welcome Koestler Awards ‘I am very proud to be part of the RE:FORM All the work in RE:FORM was selected from 8,509 exhibition and hope that visitors will see entries to the 2015 Koestler Awards. The annual that positive things can come from prisons.’ Koestler Awards were founded in 1962 by the writer Exhibited artist Arthur Koestler and newspaper proprietor David Astor. Koestler (1905 – 1983) was a political prisoner RE:FORM is the UK’s annual national showcase and wrote the classic prison novel Darkness at Noon. of arts by prisoners, offenders on community Contributions come from prisons, secure hospitals, sentences, secure psychiatric patients and young offender institutions, secure children’s immigration detainees. It is the eighth exhibition homes and immigration removal centres, as well as in an ongoing partnership between the Koestler from people on community service orders and on Trust and Southbank Centre. probation in the community. Entries are also received from British prisoners overseas through a partnership This year’s show was curated by the Southbank with the charity Prisoners Abroad. Centre and the Koestler Trust to showcase many of the pieces chosen for Koestler Awards by over Entrants can submit artworks across 61 different 100 arts professionals (including Jeremy Deller, categories of fine and applied arts, design, music, Alan Kane, Carol Ann Duffy, the BFI and writing, film and animation. The artworks are judged Hot Chip) and the breadth of talent and creativity by professionals in each field. This year’s judges of people within the criminal justice system.
    [Show full text]
  • Domestic Homicide Review Overview Report
    Domestic Homicide Review Overview Report Report into the death of Adult A Report produced by Mark Reed Strategic Director, Guildford Borough Council Chair of Domestic Homicide Review Panel Date: 5 March 2013 1 CONTENTS 1. Introduction ……………………………………… 4 Purpose of Review ……………………………………… 4 Subjects of Review ……………………………………… 4 Conduct of Review ……………………………………… 5 Timescale for Review ……………………………………… 6 Terms of Reference of Review ……………………………………… 7 2. Background and Chronology ……………………………………… 8 Adult A (up to February 2008) ……………………………………… 8 Adult B (up to February 2008) ……………………………………… 10 Adult A and Adult B (February 2008 to March 2012) ……………………………………… 11 3. Surrey Police ……………………………………… 19 Review of Involvement ……………………………………… 19 Analysis of Involvement ……………………………………… 32 Effective Practice/Lessons Learnt ……………………………………… 38 Recommendations ……………………………………… 38 4. Hampshire Police ……………………………………… 40 Review of Involvement ……………………………………… 40 Analysis of Involvement ……………………………………… 45 Effective Practice/Lessons Learnt ……………………………………… 49 Recommendations ……………………………………… 50 5. Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust ……………………………………… 51 Review of Involvement ……………………………………… 51 Analysis of Involvement ……………………………………… 55 Effective Practice/Lessons Learnt ……………………………………… 56 Recommendations ……………………………………… 57 6. South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust ……………………………………… 58 Review of Involvement ……………………………………… 58 Analysis of Involvement ……………………………………… 61 Effective Practice/Lessons Learnt ……………………………………… 62 Recommendations ………………………………………
    [Show full text]
  • October 2016 / Issue No
    “I realised my not wanting to Black History be on TV was just insecurity and with issues of freedom Month and liberty at stake that seemed a pretty poor excuse Cops, Slaves not to try and help” and Usain Bolt Louise Shorter Comment // page 19 To celebrate this special I feel uneasy and once again the National Newspaper for Prisoners & Detainees month Inside Time reveals “ the powerlessness of my a voice for prisoners since 1990 some startling facts about situation crushes me.” the West Indies Kelly Wober October 2016 / Issue No. 208 / www.insidetime.org / A ‘not for profit’ publication / ISSN 1743-7342 An average of 60,000 copies distributed monthly Independently verified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations Usain Bolt: fastest man in the world Comment // page 32 Comment // page 21 We are ‘Shambolic!’ all human This year the annual Prison reform agenda or no prison reform Koestler Exhibition at London’s South Bank agenda? Shadow Justice Minister Jo Stevens Centre is curated by ‘disappointed’ by Justice Secretary Liz Truss’s multi-award winning poet Benjamin performance in front of the Justice Select Zephaniah. He tells Committee, she tells Inside Time Inside Time why he was initially reluctant Erwin James “Brandi” Bronze and what he thinks of 30 Award for sculpture the 2016 exhibits In her first appearance before the Justice Select Committee last month since taking over the role from Michael Gove in July, Justice Secretary Liz Truss Extreme measures cast a shadow of uncertainty over the government’s much “Those who are intent on trying to convert others to violent heralded prison reform agen- da.
    [Show full text]
  • The Social Impact of Solvent Abuse, and Much Less Is Understood About the Financial Costs of That Impact to Individuals, Their Families, and to Wider Society
    The Social Impact of Solvent Abuse December 2017 Image credit: The Dream Door is Too Small Carla Ross Senior Researcher, BWB Advisory & Impact 020 7551 7862 [email protected] Louise Barker Analyst, BWB Advisory & Impact 020 7551 7728 [email protected] Contents Executive summary 2 Introduction 10 Background on Re-Solv 12 Section 1: How people fall into solvent abuse 13 Section 2: Social & financial costs of solvent abuse 33 Profile 1: Young & experimental users 41 Profile 2: Young & regular users 44 Profile 3: Adult & high functioning users 47 Profile 4: Unstable lives 50 Profile 5: Chronic solvent users 54 Profile 6: Chronic poly-drug users 58 Cost to Government Services 61 Sensitivity Test 68 Section 3: Themes & recommendations for reducing the impact of solvent abuse 71 Appendices 83 Appendix A: Methodology 84 Appendix B: Sensitivity Test Explanation 86 Appendix C: Re-Solv’s Theory of Change 92 The images used in this report This report is illustrated with artwork entered into the Koestler Trust’s annual award scheme. The images were created by people in prison, on probation, and in other secure settings. The Koestler Trust is the UK’s best-known prison arts charity. It encourages prisoners to change their lives through taking part in the arts, and aims to challenge negative preconceptions of what those in prison are capable of achieving. Many of the artworks show how it feels to live with the problems frequently raised in this research, such as poor mental health, the impact of substance use, and the experience of imprisonment. The images bring to life raw experiences that can get lost and become more sanitised in reports such as this one.
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 Koestler Awards Results (At 28.08.19)
    2019 Koestler Awards Results (at 28.08.19) . This is the final list of entries which have won awards. If an entry is not listed, it probably did not win an award. We are open all year round to entries from under 18s and will respond to these with feedback and certificates within 6 weeks. Your package must be marked “Under 18s Fast Feedback Programme”. In most artforms, the awards given are as follows: Platinum £100 + certificate Gold £60 + certificate Silver £40 + certificate Bronze £20 + certificate Special Award for Under 18s / Under 25s £25 + certificate First-time Entrant £25 + certificate Highly Commended Certificate Commended Certificate Some awards are generously sponsored and named by Koestler Trust supporters. Every entrant will receive a Participation Certificate, and most will receive written feedback. Certificates, feedback and prize cheques for entrants will be sent by the end of October 2019. “K No” is the Koestler reference number that we allocate to each artwork. Please have this number and your entry details to hand if you have an enquiry about a particular entry. More information from [email protected] or 020 8740 0333. We cannot give out information to third parties. Entrants are not named, but this list shows where entrants have originally entered from – not where they are now. Around 180 examples of visual art, audio, film and writing, have been selected for our annual UK exhibition. This is open to the public from 19 Sept – 03 Nov daily at London’s Southbank Centre. The opening event is on Wednesday 18 Sept from 2pm; all are welcome.
    [Show full text]
  • (Public Pack)Agenda Document for Health and Wellbeing Board, 20/05
    AGENDA HEALTH AND WELLBEING BOARD Wednesday, 20th May, 2015, at 6.30 pm Ask for: Ann Hunter Darent Room, Sessions House, County Hall, Telephone 03000 416287 Maidstone Refreshments will be available 15 minutes before the start of the meeting Membership Mr R W Gough (Chairman), Dr F Armstrong, Mr I Ayres, Dr B Bowes (Vice-Chairman), Mr A Bowles, Ms H Carpenter, Mr P B Carter, CBE, Mr A Scott-Clark, Dr D Cocker, Ms P Davies, Mr G K Gibbens, Mr S Inett, Mr A Ireland, Dr M Jones, Dr E Lunt, Dr N Kumta, Dr T Martin, Mr P J Oakford, Mr S Perks, Dr R Stewart, Ms D Tomalin, Cllr P Watkins and Cllr L Weatherly UNRESTRICTED ITEMS (During these items the meeting is likely to be open to the public) 1 Chairman's Welcome 2 Apologies and Substitutes To receive apologies for absence and notification of any substitutes 3 Declarations of Interest by Members in Items on the Agenda for this Meeting To receive any declarations made by members of the board relating to items on the agenda 4 Minutes of the Meeting held on 18 March 2015 (Pages 5 - 12) To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2015 5 Workforce (Pages 13 - 30) To consider issues relating to the health and care workforce required to deliver the Five Year Forward View and the broader changes needed to establish a sustainable health and care sector across Kent 6 Kent and Medway Growth and Infrastructure Framework (Pages 31 - 36) To note the progress being made to establish a Growth and Infrastructure Framework for Kent and Medway and provide comment on how best to engage with the health
    [Show full text]
  • 2019 Koestler Awards Results (At 28.08.19)
    2019 Koestler Awards Results (at 28.08.19) . This is the final list of entries which have won awards. If an entry is not listed, it probably did not win an award. We are open all year round to entries from under 18s and will respond to these with feedback and certificates within 6 weeks. Your package must be marked “Under 18s Fast Feedback Programme”. In most artforms, the awards given are as follows: Platinum £100 + certificate Gold £60 + certificate Silver £40 + certificate Bronze £20 + certificate Special Award for Under 18s / Under 25s £25 + certificate First-time Entrant £25 + certificate Highly Commended Certificate Commended Certificate Some awards are generously sponsored and named by Koestler Trust supporters. Every entrant will receive a Participation Certificate, and most will receive written feedback. Certificates, feedback and prize cheques for entrants will be sent by the end of October 2019. “K No” is the Koestler reference number that we allocate to each artwork. Please have this number and your entry details to hand if you have an enquiry about a particular entry. More information from [email protected] or 020 8740 0333. We cannot give out information to third parties. Entrants are not named, but this list shows where entrants have originally entered from – not where they are now. Around 180 examples of visual art, audio, film and writing, have been selected for our annual UK exhibition. This is open to the public from 19 Sept – 03 Nov daily at London’s Southbank Centre. The opening event is on Wednesday 18 Sept from 2pm; all are welcome.
    [Show full text]
  • October 2018 / Issue No
    “Art for communicating “Free or imprisoned, “When I was in prison...” and rebuilding relation- emotional, informative Benjamin Zephaniah the National Newspaper for Prisoners & Detainees ships is prevalent in this stories have the same tells Rachel Billington exhibition” Clare Barstow effect” Steve Newark how poetry ‘made’ his life a voice for prisoners since Inside Art // page 27 Comment // page 17 Inside Poetry October 2018 / Issue No. 232 / www.insidetime.org / A ‘not for profit’ publication / ISSN 1743-7342 INSIDE POETRY and CHANGING LIVES TOGETHER supplements inside 68 PAGE ISSUE An average of 60,000 copies distributed monthly Independently verified by the Audit Bureau of Circulations PRISONS CHIEF ‘Enough is enough’ Prisons Inspector issues Urgent Notification for HMP Bedford Inside Time report through suicide. We have seen consistent warnings about overcrowding and violence, STEPS DOWN a shocking riot, the creation of a performance As the fourth Urgent Notification Protocol in improvement plan and the imposition of spe- After nine years in charge of Prisons and 12 months was issued by the Chief Inspector cial measures - and none of these drastic of Prisons prison reform group the Howard events has prompted decisive action to turn Probation, Michael Spurr CB ‘has been asked to League calls for bold action to be taken. An- the prison around. Particularly concerning drew Neilson, the Howard League’s Director is what this sustained failure says about the stand down’ by Justice Secretary David Gauke of Campaigns said: “This damning verdict prison system as a whole. Enough is enough. on Bedford prison has not come out of no- More jails will fail and many more people Inside Time report North and East Anglia and where; as the Chief Inspector says, this is a will be hurt unless we see bold action to re- then, following a restructur- story of inexorable and unchecked decline.
    [Show full text]