I’ve over and over again seen the incredible cleverness and ingenuity of
incredible cleverness and ingenuity of
incredible cleverness and ingenuity of so many people inside this is partly a
so many people inside this is partly a
so many people inside this is partly a condition of captivity it’s something
condition of captivity it’s something
condition of captivity it’s something you do you use your wit to get round the
you do you use your wit to get round the
you do you use your wit to get round the system and often obviously it’s turned
system and often obviously it’s turned
system and often obviously it’s turned to rule-breaking and if only this
to rule-breaking and if only this
to rule-breaking and if only this incredible cleverness and ingenuity and
incredible cleverness and ingenuity and
incredible cleverness and ingenuity and creativity that you see in prisons could
creativity that you see in prisons could
creativity that you see in prisons could be turned to pro-social activities then
be turned to pro-social activities then
be turned to pro-social activities then these places could be schools for
these places could be schools for
these places could be schools for entrepreneurs what you hear about of
entrepreneurs what you hear about of
entrepreneurs what you hear about of course is the nasty stuff
course is the nasty stuff
course is the nasty stuff the weapons made out of toothbrushes the
the weapons made out of toothbrushes the
the weapons made out of toothbrushes the guns made out of soap drugs smuggled in
guns made out of soap drugs smuggled in
guns made out of soap drugs smuggled in in stamps and I was even once told about
in stamps and I was even once told about
in stamps and I was even once told about someone who was able to hide razor blade
someone who was able to hide razor blade
someone who was able to hide razor blade razor blades behind his eyelids
razor blades behind his eyelids
razor blades behind his eyelids incredible but apparently true and yet I
incredible but apparently true and yet I
incredible but apparently true and yet I have seen the most amazing beauty and
have seen the most amazing beauty and
have seen the most amazing beauty and capacity for creativity in prison this
capacity for creativity in prison this
capacity for creativity in prison this is really paradoxical you think of these
is really paradoxical you think of these
is really paradoxical you think of these places they’re totally anti beauty
places they’re totally anti beauty
places they’re totally anti beauty everything about them is impoverished
everything about them is impoverished
everything about them is impoverished and featureless and aggressive the
and featureless and aggressive the
and featureless and aggressive the barbed wire the concrete spaces the bars
barbed wire the concrete spaces the bars
barbed wire the concrete spaces the bars the emptiness all of it is intended to
the emptiness all of it is intended to
the emptiness all of it is intended to convey hardness and depersonalization
convey hardness and depersonalization
convey hardness and depersonalization but imagine imagine if prisons were very
but imagine imagine if prisons were very
but imagine imagine if prisons were very different
different
different imagine if prison dining rooms were full
imagine if prison dining rooms were full
imagine if prison dining rooms were full of furniture made in workshops by
of furniture made in workshops by
of furniture made in workshops by prisoners the walls were painted with
prisoners the walls were painted with
prisoners the walls were painted with murals if prisoners had their own soft
murals if prisoners had their own soft
murals if prisoners had their own soft furnishings in their cells and were
furnishings in their cells and were
furnishings in their cells and were encouraged to put their own artwork on
encouraged to put their own artwork on
encouraged to put their own artwork on the walls now this is not as
the walls now this is not as
the walls now this is not as off-the-wall and subversive as it may
off-the-wall and subversive as it may
off-the-wall and subversive as it may sound because craft work in prison is
sound because craft work in prison is
sound because craft work in prison is actually honestly as old as prison
actually honestly as old as prison
actually honestly as old as prison itself people have always done things
itself people have always done things
itself people have always done things with their hands in prison carpenters in
with their hands in prison carpenters in
with their hands in prison carpenters in the de poele yannick wars who were
the de poele yannick wars who were
the de poele yannick wars who were imprisoned made furniture in French
imprisoned made furniture in French
imprisoned made furniture in French prisons and there’s still a tradition of
prisons and there’s still a tradition of
prisons and there’s still a tradition of furniture making in French prisons today
furniture making in French prisons today
furniture making in French prisons today bird boxes guitars ornamental ironwork
bird boxes guitars ornamental ironwork
bird boxes guitars ornamental ironwork stone carvings cane chairs palm leaf
stone carvings cane chairs palm leaf
stone carvings cane chairs palm leaf bags embroidery silver work hammocks are
bags embroidery silver work hammocks are
bags embroidery silver work hammocks are all made in prisons in America in Chile
all made in prisons in America in Chile
all made in prisons in America in Chile in Portugal in Bolivia and in Britain
in Portugal in Bolivia and in Britain
in Portugal in Bolivia and in Britain there’s an important point here which is
there’s an important point here which is
there’s an important point here which is that people get created
that people get created
that people get created we all do in situations of boredom and
we all do in situations of boredom and
we all do in situations of boredom and confinement it’s so basic a human
confinement it’s so basic a human
confinement it’s so basic a human instinct is like sailors who did not
instinct is like sailors who did not
instinct is like sailors who did not work in the vastness of the sea on their
work in the vastness of the sea on their
work in the vastness of the sea on their ships or nuns in their put in their in
ships or nuns in their put in their in
ships or nuns in their put in their in their convent cells embroidering away
their convent cells embroidering away
their convent cells embroidering away the need to express to express
the need to express to express
the need to express to express personhood and to celebrate and to
personhood and to celebrate and to
personhood and to celebrate and to decorate and to communicate and to
decorate and to communicate and to
decorate and to communicate and to connect is just something that can’t be
connect is just something that can’t be
connect is just something that can’t be eradicate even by the harshest prison
eradicate even by the harshest prison
eradicate even by the harshest prison and actually I think it’s at the core of
and actually I think it’s at the core of
and actually I think it’s at the core of our potential all of our potential to
our potential all of our potential to
our potential all of our potential to redeem ourselves from our failings to
redeem ourselves from our failings to
redeem ourselves from our failings to connect through creativity prisons
connect through creativity prisons
connect through creativity prisons actually are in many respects more
actually are in many respects more
actually are in many respects more creative than other environments because
creative than other environments because
creative than other environments because just because of a sensory deprivation of
just because of a sensory deprivation of
just because of a sensory deprivation of the environment when there’s little
the environment when there’s little
the environment when there’s little that’s pleasing to the ear the eye or
that’s pleasing to the ear the eye or
that’s pleasing to the ear the eye or the soul we fall back on dreams and we
the soul we fall back on dreams and we
the soul we fall back on dreams and we fall back on fantasy and we use our
fall back on fantasy and we use our
fall back on fantasy and we use our imaginations over there is an
imaginations over there is an
imaginations over there is an embroidered picture by an ex-prisoner
embroidered picture by an ex-prisoner
embroidered picture by an ex-prisoner called ray Madison who was in prison for
called ray Madison who was in prison for
called ray Madison who was in prison for drug offenses and who discovered him
drug offenses and who discovered him
drug offenses and who discovered him broidery in his cell and guess how he
broidery in his cell and guess how he
broidery in his cell and guess how he did he was so bored he was unraveling a
did he was so bored he was unraveling a
did he was so bored he was unraveling a bit of old sock from his foot and he ran
bit of old sock from his foot and he ran
bit of old sock from his foot and he ran he had a needle and he started to sew
he had a needle and he started to sew
he had a needle and he started to sew with it he took off his sock and he
with it he took off his sock and he
with it he took off his sock and he unraveled the sock and he started to
unraveled the sock and he started to
unraveled the sock and he started to embroider and he created a picture and
embroider and he created a picture and
embroider and he created a picture and then he created this series of miniature
then he created this series of miniature
then he created this series of miniature sort of pictures of his life and that
sort of pictures of his life and that
sort of pictures of his life and that was his route and he now is an artist
was his route and he now is an artist
was his route and he now is an artist whose works sell for thousands and
whose works sell for thousands and
whose works sell for thousands and thousands of pounds and the size of that
thousands of pounds and the size of that
thousands of pounds and the size of that is just a couple of inches it’s just an
is just a couple of inches it’s just an
is just a couple of inches it’s just an inch and a half across and for each inch
inch and a half across and for each inch
inch and a half across and for each inch of Ray’s work there are one and a half
of Ray’s work there are one and a half
of Ray’s work there are one and a half thousand stitches on this side another
thousand stitches on this side another
thousand stitches on this side another object which is actually in reality
object which is actually in reality
object which is actually in reality absolutely tiny these little roses are
absolutely tiny these little roses are
absolutely tiny these little roses are made out of ground-up pencil shavings
made out of ground-up pencil shavings
made out of ground-up pencil shavings PVA glue and the ink from felt-tip pens
PVA glue and the ink from felt-tip pens
PVA glue and the ink from felt-tip pens and they’re each less than six
and they’re each less than six
and they’re each less than six millimeters across and this actually is
millimeters across and this actually is
millimeters across and this actually is a prison craft it’s people do it in a
a prison craft it’s people do it in a
a prison craft it’s people do it in a lot of Prisons in this country they mix
lot of Prisons in this country they mix
lot of Prisons in this country they mix up the ground pencil shavings and they
up the ground pencil shavings and they
up the ground pencil shavings and they glue and they use it and and they make
glue and they use it and and they make
glue and they use it and and they make miniature sculptures
miniature sculptures
miniature sculptures and there’s kind of an interesting point
and there’s kind of an interesting point
and there’s kind of an interesting point here which is the the miniature ism is a
here which is the the miniature ism is a
here which is the the miniature ism is a kind of characteristic of prison if you
kind of characteristic of prison if you
kind of characteristic of prison if you think about it it’s a very shrunken
think about it it’s a very shrunken
think about it it’s a very shrunken world and miniature things don’t take up
world and miniature things don’t take up
world and miniature things don’t take up much room in it but they also reflect it
much room in it but they also reflect it
much room in it but they also reflect it the narrow perspective and a kind of
the narrow perspective and a kind of
the narrow perspective and a kind of obsession with detail which you can
obsession with detail which you can
obsession with detail which you can escape into this is an extraordinary
escape into this is an extraordinary
escape into this is an extraordinary thing again it’s blown up very very big
thing again it’s blown up very very big
thing again it’s blown up very very big and it’s actually only three inches
and it’s actually only three inches
and it’s actually only three inches across and for each inch of this bit of
across and for each inch of this bit of
across and for each inch of this bit of embroidery there are 28 stitches across
embroidery there are 28 stitches across
embroidery there are 28 stitches across and the guy has actually mixed his
and the guy has actually mixed his
and the guy has actually mixed his thread within those stitches to create
thread within those stitches to create
thread within those stitches to create can anyone guess what it is it’s the
can anyone guess what it is it’s the
can anyone guess what it is it’s the view from his cell window and there’s a
view from his cell window and there’s a
view from his cell window and there’s a wonderful line a famous line from Oscar
wonderful line a famous line from Oscar
wonderful line a famous line from Oscar Wilde about the little patch of blue
Wilde about the little patch of blue
Wilde about the little patch of blue that the prisoner calls the sky and this
that the prisoner calls the sky and this
that the prisoner calls the sky and this is what this guy saw year up for years
is what this guy saw year up for years
is what this guy saw year up for years that was his only view and the attention
that was his only view and the attention
that was his only view and the attention to detail is quite wonderful and out of
to detail is quite wonderful and out of
to detail is quite wonderful and out of something so sad and so to spread
something so sad and so to spread
something so sad and so to spread depressing he’s actually made something
depressing he’s actually made something
depressing he’s actually made something I think fine and poetic the shape
I think fine and poetic the shape
I think fine and poetic the shape actually the hexagonal shape is the
actually the hexagonal shape is the
actually the hexagonal shape is the hexagonal hub at the center of of
hexagonal hub at the center of of
hexagonal hub at the center of of Wandsworth prison which is like a
Wandsworth prison which is like a
Wandsworth prison which is like a bicycle wheel with this hub at the
bicycle wheel with this hub at the
bicycle wheel with this hub at the center which is that and the prison
center which is that and the prison
center which is that and the prison wings radiating off it like the spokes
wings radiating off it like the spokes
wings radiating off it like the spokes of a wheel and this is the cell this is
of a wheel and this is the cell this is
of a wheel and this is the cell this is a felon HMP Wandsworth there’s a phrase
a felon HMP Wandsworth there’s a phrase
a felon HMP Wandsworth there’s a phrase that’s widely used in prison behind the
that’s widely used in prison behind the
that’s widely used in prison behind the door you cry and and the truth is when
door you cry and and the truth is when
door you cry and and the truth is when you’re alone in the cell and that door
you’re alone in the cell and that door
you’re alone in the cell and that door is slammed on you however much of face
is slammed on you however much of face
is slammed on you however much of face you put out to the world of I didn’t do
you put out to the world of I didn’t do
you put out to the world of I didn’t do it or braggadocio or whatever kind of
it or braggadocio or whatever kind of
it or braggadocio or whatever kind of front you’re having to present to the
front you’re having to present to the
front you’re having to present to the world in yourself when that door slams
world in yourself when that door slams
world in yourself when that door slams you’re alone with your thoughts which
you’re alone with your thoughts which
you’re alone with your thoughts which usually are ones of gnawing anger
usually are ones of gnawing anger
usually are ones of gnawing anger self-hatred and recrimination so just
self-hatred and recrimination so just
self-hatred and recrimination so just imagine how the fundamentally horrible
imagine how the fundamentally horrible
imagine how the fundamentally horrible experience of being locked in a cell can
experience of being locked in a cell can
experience of being locked in a cell can be transformed if you have something
be transformed if you have something
be transformed if you have something absorbing to do if you have something
absorbing to do if you have something
absorbing to do if you have something that actually takes you out of that
that actually takes you out of that
that actually takes you out of that environment and into another place this
environment and into another place this
environment and into another place this guy told me and I don’t think he’s
guy told me and I don’t think he’s
guy told me and I don’t think he’s unusual honestly that he’d written 400
unusual honestly that he’d written 400
unusual honestly that he’d written 400 songs and sewn three king-sized bed
songs and sewn three king-sized bed
songs and sewn three king-sized bed quilts while he was inside
quilts while he was inside
quilts while he was inside so the picture shows the cramped living
so the picture shows the cramped living
so the picture shows the cramped living conditions at the same time I love it
conditions at the same time I love it
conditions at the same time I love it because there’s an odd nurse to it
because there’s an odd nurse to it
because there’s an odd nurse to it because it will say he looks kind of
because it will say he looks kind of
because it will say he looks kind of slightly comfortably drowned and this
slightly comfortably drowned and this
slightly comfortably drowned and this huge quilt that he’s sewing with his
huge quilt that he’s sewing with his
huge quilt that he’s sewing with his faithful harmonium by his side so
faithful harmonium by his side so
faithful harmonium by his side so there’s a point here which is that in
there’s a point here which is that in
there’s a point here which is that in prison there’s a chance actually to
prison there’s a chance actually to
prison there’s a chance actually to acquire skills in things you never ever
acquire skills in things you never ever
acquire skills in things you never ever would have done in your life before just
would have done in your life before just
would have done in your life before just because you’re so bored and you’re so
because you’re so bored and you’re so
because you’re so bored and you’re so confined and you wouldn’t have done you
confined and you wouldn’t have done you
confined and you wouldn’t have done you wouldn’t even have tried embroidery
wouldn’t even have tried embroidery
wouldn’t even have tried embroidery unless you had 17 hours a day to kill in
unless you had 17 hours a day to kill in
unless you had 17 hours a day to kill in your cell this is a lovely picture
your cell this is a lovely picture
your cell this is a lovely picture because it captures something of the
because it captures something of the
because it captures something of the sheer originality and wit of prison art
sheer originality and wit of prison art
sheer originality and wit of prison art and crafts just like the extraordinary
and crafts just like the extraordinary
and crafts just like the extraordinary view from the cell window and the little
view from the cell window and the little
view from the cell window and the little flowers made out of pencil shavings and
flowers made out of pencil shavings and
flowers made out of pencil shavings and the embroidery made out of sock threads
the embroidery made out of sock threads
the embroidery made out of sock threads this is obviously ceramic fish and chips
this is obviously ceramic fish and chips
this is obviously ceramic fish and chips and you know it’s a kind of comic
and you know it’s a kind of comic
and you know it’s a kind of comic reflection of the fact that prison food
reflection of the fact that prison food
reflection of the fact that prison food is inedible and horrible and yet isn’t
is inedible and horrible and yet isn’t
is inedible and horrible and yet isn’t it lovely and doesn’t it bring delight
it lovely and doesn’t it bring delight
it lovely and doesn’t it bring delight to the heart this – it’s hilarious an
to the heart this – it’s hilarious an
to the heart this – it’s hilarious an embroidered fry-up
embroidered fry-up
embroidered fry-up and again it’s sort of the beauty of it
and again it’s sort of the beauty of it
and again it’s sort of the beauty of it is is the kind of contrast with the sort
is is the kind of contrast with the sort
is is the kind of contrast with the sort of greasy meal and exquisite stitching
of greasy meal and exquisite stitching
of greasy meal and exquisite stitching so these are just small examples of the
so these are just small examples of the
so these are just small examples of the kind of just the originality and
kind of just the originality and
kind of just the originality and creativity that people often discover in
creativity that people often discover in
creativity that people often discover in themselves for the first time when
themselves for the first time when
themselves for the first time when they’re inside this is a lovely model of
they’re inside this is a lovely model of
they’re inside this is a lovely model of a Harley Davidson made out of I don’t
a Harley Davidson made out of I don’t
a Harley Davidson made out of I don’t know if anyone can guess what it’s made
know if anyone can guess what it’s made
know if anyone can guess what it’s made out of it’s made out of all of
out of it’s made out of all of
out of it’s made out of all of matchsticks and this is actually a
matchsticks and this is actually a
matchsticks and this is actually a prison genre which is matchstick art and
prison genre which is matchstick art and
prison genre which is matchstick art and it’s widely practiced in prisons across
it’s widely practiced in prisons across
it’s widely practiced in prisons across the UK and the kind of and actually the
the UK and the kind of and actually the
the UK and the kind of and actually the woman who sent me this picture which is
woman who sent me this picture which is
woman who sent me this picture which is from a charity called the curse the
from a charity called the curse the
from a charity called the curse the trust that have a big exhibition in
trust that have a big exhibition in
trust that have a big exhibition in London yearly of arts and crafts worked
London yearly of arts and crafts worked
London yearly of arts and crafts worked on in prison she told me that I was like
on in prison she told me that I was like
on in prison she told me that I was like well can I have that really nice one of
well can I have that really nice one of
well can I have that really nice one of the harley-davidson done out of
the harley-davidson done out of
the harley-davidson done out of matchsticks I said oh go which one we’ve
matchsticks I said oh go which one we’ve
matchsticks I said oh go which one we’ve got hundreds so you know and these
got hundreds so you know and these
got hundreds so you know and these skills you know where they come from
skills you know where they come from
skills you know where they come from they’re passed on how from prisoner to
they’re passed on how from prisoner to
they’re passed on how from prisoner to prisoner so there’s these kind of
prisoner so there’s these kind of
prisoner so there’s these kind of indigenous kind of craft practices that
indigenous kind of craft practices that
indigenous kind of craft practices that are native to prisons that people share
are native to prisons that people share
are native to prisons that people share just like the the roses made out of
just like the the roses made out of
just like the the roses made out of pencil shavings I’ve seen roses made out
pencil shavings I’ve seen roses made out
pencil shavings I’ve seen roses made out of bread prisoners used to make Rouge
of bread prisoners used to make Rouge
of bread prisoners used to make Rouge out of book covers in the 1950s when
out of book covers in the 1950s when
out of book covers in the 1950s when book covers were often read I’ve heard a
book covers were often read I’ve heard a
book covers were often read I’ve heard a venetian blinds made out of loo rolls
venetian blinds made out of loo rolls
venetian blinds made out of loo rolls and boot polish and these venetian
and boot polish and these venetian
and boot polish and these venetian blinds were so nice that they were
blinds were so nice that they were
blinds were so nice that they were getting sold two officers at quite a
getting sold two officers at quite a
getting sold two officers at quite a pretty penny I’ve also heard of toffee
pretty penny I’ve also heard of toffee
pretty penny I’ve also heard of toffee pudding ‘he’s made in kettles so that
pudding ‘he’s made in kettles so that
pudding ‘he’s made in kettles so that instinct to make something out of
instinct to make something out of
instinct to make something out of nothing is kind of recycling it’s
nothing is kind of recycling it’s
nothing is kind of recycling it’s instinct you know any bit of all refuse
instinct you know any bit of all refuse
instinct you know any bit of all refuse could be useful I once saw a guy with
could be useful I once saw a guy with
could be useful I once saw a guy with this lovely little lighter
this lovely little lighter
this lovely little lighter you know where’d you get that and he
you know where’d you get that and he
you know where’d you get that and he said I made it and I said well where did
said I made it and I said well where did
said I made it and I said well where did you get the wick and he said oh it’s bit
you get the wick and he said oh it’s bit
you get the wick and he said oh it’s bit of old mop I found on the floor uh-huh
of old mop I found on the floor uh-huh
of old mop I found on the floor uh-huh and and and the case of the the lighter
and and and the case of the the lighter
and and and the case of the the lighter was was made out of matchsticks and it
was was made out of matchsticks and it
was was made out of matchsticks and it was very fine it was varnished and this
was very fine it was varnished and this
was very fine it was varnished and this is some kind of lovely piece of Gothic
is some kind of lovely piece of Gothic
is some kind of lovely piece of Gothic grandfather clock made out of
grandfather clock made out of
grandfather clock made out of matchsticks and I’ve seen grand other
matchsticks and I’ve seen grand other
matchsticks and I’ve seen grand other grandfather clocks made out of
grandfather clocks made out of
grandfather clocks made out of matchsticks and I think it’s quite
matchsticks and I think it’s quite
matchsticks and I think it’s quite interesting there are so many clocks
interesting there are so many clocks
interesting there are so many clocks made out of matchsticks in prison well
made out of matchsticks in prison well
made out of matchsticks in prison well obviously it’s the theme of time but
obviously it’s the theme of time but
obviously it’s the theme of time but again I mean this is just an exquisite
again I mean this is just an exquisite
again I mean this is just an exquisite craft tradition isn’t it as fine as the
craft tradition isn’t it as fine as the
craft tradition isn’t it as fine as the finest market tree so the question
finest market tree so the question
finest market tree so the question really is how to talent how to harness
really is how to talent how to harness
really is how to talent how to harness all this talent and all this ingenuity
all this talent and all this ingenuity
all this talent and all this ingenuity what if the skilled learned in prison
what if the skilled learned in prison
what if the skilled learned in prison could be recycled reused after release
could be recycled reused after release
could be recycled reused after release what a skilled learns could offer not
what a skilled learns could offer not
what a skilled learns could offer not deprivation and despair but a chance to
deprivation and despair but a chance to
deprivation and despair but a chance to really change harnessing creativity and
really change harnessing creativity and
really change harnessing creativity and pride in people the point of course is
pride in people the point of course is
pride in people the point of course is that prisons are places where untold
that prisons are places where untold
that prisons are places where untold quantities of hours
quantities of hours
quantities of hours take their toll and that’s what they’re
take their toll and that’s what they’re
take their toll and that’s what they’re meant to and there is a need to fill
meant to and there is a need to fill
meant to and there is a need to fill this time so how about it filling it
this time so how about it filling it
this time so how about it filling it with something useful and creative and
with something useful and creative and
with something useful and creative and something that can be done easily in a
something that can be done easily in a
something that can be done easily in a cell in the 19th century prisoners were
cell in the 19th century prisoners were
cell in the 19th century prisoners were put on tread wheels which did had served
put on tread wheels which did had served
put on tread wheels which did had served no purpose whatsoever all they were
no purpose whatsoever all they were
no purpose whatsoever all they were supposed to do is like walk just turn
supposed to do is like walk just turn
supposed to do is like walk just turn this wheel round and round and to me
this wheel round and round and to me
this wheel round and round and to me that some that’s a very as a really
that some that’s a very as a really
that some that’s a very as a really cruel
cruel
cruel thing to do to someone it’s a kind of
thing to do to someone it’s a kind of
thing to do to someone it’s a kind of it’s kind of a mockery of them as a
it’s kind of a mockery of them as a
it’s kind of a mockery of them as a person like setting someone for hours on
person like setting someone for hours on
person like setting someone for hours on end to do something utterly meaningless
end to do something utterly meaningless
end to do something utterly meaningless and pointless and valueless devaluing
and pointless and valueless devaluing
and pointless and valueless devaluing the person themselves well so how about
the person themselves well so how about
the person themselves well so how about if time spent pointlessly could be
if time spent pointlessly could be
if time spent pointlessly could be transformed into time spent meaningfully
transformed into time spent meaningfully
transformed into time spent meaningfully don’t we all crave that and in our
don’t we all crave that and in our
don’t we all crave that and in our fast-paced digital lives the fashion for
fast-paced digital lives the fashion for
fast-paced digital lives the fashion for not just recycling it’s called upcycling
not just recycling it’s called upcycling
not just recycling it’s called upcycling now isn’t it and slow living these seem
now isn’t it and slow living these seem
now isn’t it and slow living these seem to be rather middle-class kind of
to be rather middle-class kind of
to be rather middle-class kind of pursuits and privileges well imagine if
pursuits and privileges well imagine if
pursuits and privileges well imagine if the expanse of prison hours and the time
the expanse of prison hours and the time
the expanse of prison hours and the time needed for the skill craftsmanship of
needed for the skill craftsmanship of
needed for the skill craftsmanship of the old world could be put to use in
the old world could be put to use in
the old world could be put to use in prison the 19th century Arts and Crafts
prison the 19th century Arts and Crafts
prison the 19th century Arts and Crafts movement was precisely against the D
movement was precisely against the D
movement was precisely against the D personalizing devaluing cheapening
personalizing devaluing cheapening
personalizing devaluing cheapening effects of industrialization
effects of industrialization
effects of industrialization and in another way we’re here again with
and in another way we’re here again with
and in another way we’re here again with that same feeling of a devalued devalued
that same feeling of a devalued devalued
that same feeling of a devalued devalued product in in our in our world as well
product in in our in our world as well
product in in our in our world as well the world of mass marketing and
the world of mass marketing and
the world of mass marketing and industrialization so so a prisoner doing
industrialization so so a prisoner doing
industrialization so so a prisoner doing neither work in his cell for fine cell
neither work in his cell for fine cell
neither work in his cell for fine cell work said this he said doing the
work said this he said doing the
work said this he said doing the needlework opens up another world he
needlework opens up another world he
needlework opens up another world he wrote this to me there’s the pride and
wrote this to me there’s the pride and
wrote this to me there’s the pride and usefulness and seeing something a beauty
usefulness and seeing something a beauty
usefulness and seeing something a beauty come together and their thought that me
come together and their thought that me
come together and their thought that me and my friends work will bring pleasure
and my friends work will bring pleasure
and my friends work will bring pleasure now and hopefully long into the future
now and hopefully long into the future
now and hopefully long into the future to the recipient it allows us to once
to the recipient it allows us to once
to the recipient it allows us to once again start summing you and be useful
again start summing you and be useful
again start summing you and be useful and I find this the most incredible
and I find this the most incredible
and I find this the most incredible incredibly moving bit of writing we get
incredibly moving bit of writing we get
incredibly moving bit of writing we get them all the time because it just
them all the time because it just
them all the time because it just conveys the kind of the sort of
conveys the kind of the sort of
conveys the kind of the sort of redeeming quality of being able to be
redeeming quality of being able to be
redeeming quality of being able to be useful useful in a place where you are
useful useful in a place where you are
useful useful in a place where you are so shamed and shunned and devalued
so shamed and shunned and devalued
so shamed and shunned and devalued imagine you know being viewed not by the
imagine you know being viewed not by the
imagine you know being viewed not by the crimes you committed but by the skill of
crimes you committed but by the skill of
crimes you committed but by the skill of the objects that you make the liberation
the objects that you make the liberation
the objects that you make the liberation then from being ostracized and
then from being ostracized and
then from being ostracized and segregated and the prospect of actually
segregated and the prospect of actually
segregated and the prospect of actually bringing pleasure and beauty into the
bringing pleasure and beauty into the
bringing pleasure and beauty into the lives of others
lives of others
lives of others the person at the center of the making
the person at the center of the making
the person at the center of the making and hands that no longer offend but
and hands that no longer offend but
and hands that no longer offend but hands that create so the main crafts
hands that create so the main crafts
hands that create so the main crafts industry in British prisons is
industry in British prisons is
industry in British prisons is embroidery and it’s the only one
embroidery and it’s the only one
embroidery and it’s the only one paradoxically which done on a fairly
paradoxically which done on a fairly
paradoxically which done on a fairly industrial scale we now work with more
industrial scale we now work with more
industrial scale we now work with more than 300 prisoners at any one time doing
than 300 prisoners at any one time doing
than 300 prisoners at any one time doing embroidery in their cells about 270
embroidery in their cells about 270
embroidery in their cells about 270 doing embroidery in their cells and
doing embroidery in their cells and
doing embroidery in their cells and about 50 working on sewing machines in
about 50 working on sewing machines in
about 50 working on sewing machines in prison workshops this is the largest
prison workshops this is the largest
prison workshops this is the largest professional body of hand stitches in
professional body of hand stitches in
professional body of hand stitches in the West and believe me we’re turning
the West and believe me we’re turning
the West and believe me we’re turning them down all the time because we simply
them down all the time because we simply
them down all the time because we simply don’t have the capacity to work with as
don’t have the capacity to work with as
don’t have the capacity to work with as many prisoners as want to do something
many prisoners as want to do something
many prisoners as want to do something useful do something creative do
useful do something creative do
useful do something creative do something that can make them some extra
something that can make them some extra
something that can make them some extra money we simply don’t have the capacity
money we simply don’t have the capacity
money we simply don’t have the capacity to sell all that they could make but the
to sell all that they could make but the
to sell all that they could make but the capacity for them to make things and
capacity for them to make things and
capacity for them to make things and make things wonderfully is there the
make things wonderfully is there the
make things wonderfully is there the people we work with and their work is
people we work with and their work is
people we work with and their work is sold by the way to interior designers
sold by the way to interior designers
sold by the way to interior designers and to museums and internationally it’s
and to museums and internationally it’s
and to museums and internationally it’s become well-known and it’s sold to
become well-known and it’s sold to
become well-known and it’s sold to members of the royal family it’s really
members of the royal family it’s really
members of the royal family it’s really really good stuff and these people that
really good stuff and these people that
really good stuff and these people that we work with work voluntarily in their
we work with work voluntarily in their
we work with work voluntarily in their cells no one’s making them for 20 to 40
cells no one’s making them for 20 to 40
cells no one’s making them for 20 to 40 hours a week so imagine how good they
hours a week so imagine how good they
hours a week so imagine how good they get at embroidery and imagine how good
get at embroidery and imagine how good
get at embroidery and imagine how good they could get at somewhat something
they could get at somewhat something
they could get at somewhat something else just if the time was put to use and
else just if the time was put to use and
else just if the time was put to use and the structures were put in place for
the structures were put in place for
the structures were put in place for that to be possible in our prisons
that to be possible in our prisons
that to be possible in our prisons people in prison are broadly speaking
people in prison are broadly speaking
people in prison are broadly speaking from incredibly disadvantaged
from incredibly disadvantaged
from incredibly disadvantaged backgrounds that’s actually that’s
backgrounds that’s actually that’s
backgrounds that’s actually that’s largely why they’re there why they end
largely why they’re there why they end
largely why they’re there why they end up offending a quarter of people in
up offending a quarter of people in
up offending a quarter of people in prison were in care as children and a
prison were in care as children and a
prison were in care as children and a third experienced abuse as children a
third experienced abuse as children a
third experienced abuse as children a third of people in prison experience
third of people in prison experience
third of people in prison experience abuses children more than two-thirds
abuses children more than two-thirds
abuses children more than two-thirds have mental health disorders and half of
have mental health disorders and half of
have mental health disorders and half of them can’t read properly and these are
them can’t read properly and these are
them can’t read properly and these are people that we lock up for 17 hours a
people that we lock up for 17 hours a
people that we lock up for 17 hours a day
day
day what the hell uses that what the hell
what the hell uses that what the hell
what the hell uses that what the hell good is it going to do and interestingly
good is it going to do and interestingly
good is it going to do and interestingly the vast majority of them 97% of people
the vast majority of them 97% of people
the vast majority of them 97% of people in prison actually express the desire to
in prison actually express the desire to
in prison actually express the desire to stop offending it’s just they don’t
stop offending it’s just they don’t
stop offending it’s just they don’t really know how and their lives are
really know how and their lives are
really know how and their lives are pretty chaotic and they have all kinds
pretty chaotic and they have all kinds
pretty chaotic and they have all kinds of issues 70% of them say that having a
of issues 70% of them say that having a
of issues 70% of them say that having a job is the thing that we most likely
job is the thing that we most likely
job is the thing that we most likely apart from having a home to make them
apart from having a home to make them
apart from having a home to make them stop reoffending these are things we
stop reoffending these are things we
stop reoffending these are things we take for granted having it
take for granted having it
take for granted having it in a home and we calculate that there
in a home and we calculate that there
in a home and we calculate that there are 10 times as many people in prison
are 10 times as many people in prison
are 10 times as many people in prison and 10 times as many volunteers wanting
and 10 times as many volunteers wanting
and 10 times as many volunteers wanting to do fine cell work as we have the
to do fine cell work as we have the
to do fine cell work as we have the capacity to manage so just think about
capacity to manage so just think about
capacity to manage so just think about what wonders could be achieved if we
what wonders could be achieved if we
what wonders could be achieved if we could focus all this energy and all this
could focus all this energy and all this
could focus all this energy and all this potential for collaboration because
potential for collaboration because
potential for collaboration because there really is a huge amount of
there really is a huge amount of
there really is a huge amount of untapped potential in prisons so just
untapped potential in prisons so just
untapped potential in prisons so just one example of prison creativity to
one example of prison creativity to
one example of prison creativity to another these are the industrial
another these are the industrial
another these are the industrial quantities of cushions that we make and
quantities of cushions that we make and
quantities of cushions that we make and always as I try to explain with a person
always as I try to explain with a person
always as I try to explain with a person at the centre in this case of course the
at the centre in this case of course the
at the centre in this case of course the dog at the center it’s really great for
dog at the center it’s really great for
dog at the center it’s really great for people in prison to sew things with
people in prison to sew things with
people in prison to sew things with pictures of people’s houses and their
pictures of people’s houses and their
pictures of people’s houses and their dogs and commemorative quilts and
dogs and commemorative quilts and
dogs and commemorative quilts and cushions it’s a connection with other
cushions it’s a connection with other
cushions it’s a connection with other people a connection with the softer
people a connection with the softer
people a connection with the softer warmer things in life a connection with
warmer things in life a connection with
warmer things in life a connection with love and there is this flow that people
love and there is this flow that people
love and there is this flow that people who work on crafts talk of and the
who work on crafts talk of and the
who work on crafts talk of and the people we work with talk about it all
people we work with talk about it all
people we work with talk about it all the time they talk about how time
the time they talk about how time
the time they talk about how time disappears and time flies out the window
disappears and time flies out the window
disappears and time flies out the window and also how they can think better
and also how they can think better
and also how they can think better because their Karma and how all the
because their Karma and how all the
because their Karma and how all the worry and the rage and the frustration
worry and the rage and the frustration
worry and the rage and the frustration of their situation disappears and a kind
of their situation disappears and a kind
of their situation disappears and a kind of and the frustration of being in
of and the frustration of being in
of and the frustration of being in prison goes while they’re working so
prison goes while they’re working so
prison goes while they’re working so they want to work and imagine having
they want to work and imagine having
they want to work and imagine having this feeling when you’re locked in the
this feeling when you’re locked in the
this feeling when you’re locked in the cell you feel come are part of a larger
cell you feel come are part of a larger
cell you feel come are part of a larger and more meaningful whole that’s the
and more meaningful whole that’s the
and more meaningful whole that’s the whole of track of exchange of positive
whole of track of exchange of positive
whole of track of exchange of positive creative exchange where you’re making
creative exchange where you’re making
creative exchange where you’re making something that someone is like actually
something that someone is like actually
something that someone is like actually wants and likes and needs in their home
wants and likes and needs in their home
wants and likes and needs in their home so there’s another aspect to this which
so there’s another aspect to this which
so there’s another aspect to this which is that craft products as we know are in
is that craft products as we know are in
is that craft products as we know are in demand but they’re too expensive to make
demand but they’re too expensive to make
demand but they’re too expensive to make in the Western industrialized world well
in the Western industrialized world well
in the Western industrialized world well because they take so much time and
because they take so much time and
because they take so much time and they’re not effective but in prison
they’re not effective but in prison
they’re not effective but in prison they’re fairly meager wage that the
they’re fairly meager wage that the
they’re fairly meager wage that the people we work with get for doing their
people we work with get for doing their
people we work with get for doing their craft work is actually then can be used
craft work is actually then can be used
craft work is actually then can be used to to create great benefit it’s just
to to create great benefit it’s just
to to create great benefit it’s just some examples of some of the things that
some examples of some of the things that
some examples of some of the things that have made that lovely chic and homely
have made that lovely chic and homely
have made that lovely chic and homely and this again paradoxical because it’s
and this again paradoxical because it’s
and this again paradoxical because it’s an ecclesiastical cope and is to do with
an ecclesiastical cope and is to do with
an ecclesiastical cope and is to do with sanctity and and it’s made in a prison
sanctity and and it’s made in a prison
sanctity and and it’s made in a prison and it was commissioned by a church
and it was commissioned by a church
and it was commissioned by a church these are in dover castle and
these are in dover castle and
these are in dover castle and embroidered peacocks were commissioned
embroidered peacocks were commissioned
embroidered peacocks were commissioned by English Heritage and I heard that it
by English Heritage and I heard that it
by English Heritage and I heard that it actually took 400 hours to make that
actually took 400 hours to make that
actually took 400 hours to make that cushion and the guy at the end of the
cushion and the guy at the end of the
cushion and the guy at the end of the day was counting the stitches just
day was counting the stitches just
day was counting the stitches just something to do and this amazing quote
something to do and this amazing quote
something to do and this amazing quote was made for Stella McCartney and it’s
was made for Stella McCartney and it’s
was made for Stella McCartney and it’s got tens of thousands of stitches in it
got tens of thousands of stitches in it
got tens of thousands of stitches in it and I think the exquisite fine and
and I think the exquisite fine and
and I think the exquisite fine and detailed miniaturist aspect of legal
detailed miniaturist aspect of legal
detailed miniaturist aspect of legal work is antithetical isn’t it everything
work is antithetical isn’t it everything
work is antithetical isn’t it everything that I was saying we know about prison
that I was saying we know about prison
that I was saying we know about prison and of course it provides an antidote
and of course it provides an antidote
and of course it provides an antidote and a chance for change there’s a man at
and a chance for change there’s a man at
and a chance for change there’s a man at the sky started doing quilts in his cell
the sky started doing quilts in his cell
the sky started doing quilts in his cell and then he progressed to upholstery on
and then he progressed to upholstery on
and then he progressed to upholstery on release getting out of prison was really
release getting out of prison was really
release getting out of prison was really frightening for him as it is for very
frightening for him as it is for very
frightening for him as it is for very many people he was institutionalized he
many people he was institutionalized he
many people he was institutionalized he was paranoid he had a label and he
was paranoid he had a label and he
was paranoid he had a label and he thought he’d never get into work but he
thought he’d never get into work but he
thought he’d never get into work but he did come out of prison with an object
did come out of prison with an object
did come out of prison with an object he’d been entrusted with he had a quilt
he’d been entrusted with he had a quilt
he’d been entrusted with he had a quilt to finish so the skills he learned as a
to finish so the skills he learned as a
to finish so the skills he learned as a quilter were easily translatable in the
quilter were easily translatable in the
quilter were easily translatable in the skills that he learned us not
skills that he learned us not
skills that he learned us not upholsterer when he got out the planning
upholsterer when he got out the planning
upholsterer when he got out the planning the attention to detail the respect for
the attention to detail the respect for
the attention to detail the respect for handicraft of the skill with your hands
handicraft of the skill with your hands
handicraft of the skill with your hands and there is a lot of work out there for
and there is a lot of work out there for
and there is a lot of work out there for leather workers for upholsterers for
leather workers for upholsterers for
leather workers for upholsterers for sewing machines and actually I know a
sewing machines and actually I know a
sewing machines and actually I know a lot of employers who can’t find enough
lot of employers who can’t find enough
lot of employers who can’t find enough people with these skills many would
people with these skills many would
people with these skills many would welcome ex-prisoners and not be
welcome ex-prisoners and not be
welcome ex-prisoners and not be prejudiced against them here’s some more
prejudiced against them here’s some more
prejudiced against them here’s some more examples of the things achieved in
examples of the things achieved in
examples of the things achieved in prison these needlepoint cushions are
prison these needlepoint cushions are
prison these needlepoint cushions are made by the Prince of Wales as interior
made by the Prince of Wales as interior
made by the Prince of Wales as interior designers and we had who is out there
designers and we had who is out there
designers and we had who is out there seeking commissions for people in prison
seeking commissions for people in prison
seeking commissions for people in prison because they know the quality of who
because they know the quality of who
because they know the quality of who works good and they think it’s a great
works good and they think it’s a great
works good and they think it’s a great cause and this is some examples of
cause and this is some examples of
cause and this is some examples of things we’ve made that ottoman was
things we’ve made that ottoman was
things we’ve made that ottoman was stitched in prison and it’s a lovely
stitched in prison and it’s a lovely
stitched in prison and it’s a lovely room and honestly half the things in it
room and honestly half the things in it
room and honestly half the things in it could have been made inside the cushions
could have been made inside the cushions
could have been made inside the cushions the furnishings the lamps all things
the furnishings the lamps all things
the furnishings the lamps all things actually we have made we have made sofas
actually we have made we have made sofas
actually we have made we have made sofas yet but just an example of how much
yet but just an example of how much
yet but just an example of how much could be done and this is an amazing
could be done and this is an amazing
could be done and this is an amazing piece it’s four by four meters it was
piece it’s four by four meters it was
piece it’s four by four meters it was made by the great British artist Gavin
made by the great British artist Gavin
made by the great British artist Gavin Turk it was all stitched inside and it
Turk it was all stitched inside and it
Turk it was all stitched inside and it had 70 prisoners contributed to it
had 70 prisoners contributed to it
had 70 prisoners contributed to it Gavin Turk is just one of many artists
Gavin Turk is just one of many artists
Gavin Turk is just one of many artists who are very keen to work with fine cell
who are very keen to work with fine cell
who are very keen to work with fine cell work we have volunteers we do not have
work we have volunteers we do not have
work we have volunteers we do not have enough capacity to work with the amount
enough capacity to work with the amount
enough capacity to work with the amount of creative skilled designer and
of creative skilled designer and
of creative skilled designer and test and needlework and craftspeople
test and needlework and craftspeople
test and needlework and craftspeople volunteers who want to work with us
volunteers who want to work with us
volunteers who want to work with us there’s a real huge capacity to revive
there’s a real huge capacity to revive
there’s a real huge capacity to revive arts that you may not even know about
arts that you may not even know about
arts that you may not even know about craft such as basket weaving and glove
craft such as basket weaving and glove
craft such as basket weaving and glove making and beading all these things have
making and beading all these things have
making and beading all these things have value and purpose and making them and
value and purpose and making them and
value and purpose and making them and learning them would reflect so well on
learning them would reflect so well on
learning them would reflect so well on ostracized people
ostracized people
ostracized people this woman was Sadie was someone who was
this woman was Sadie was someone who was
this woman was Sadie was someone who was really transformed I think by her first
really transformed I think by her first
really transformed I think by her first Commission she always referred back to
Commission she always referred back to
Commission she always referred back to the feeling of being entrusted with
the feeling of being entrusted with
the feeling of being entrusted with something which gave her a feeling of
something which gave her a feeling of
something which gave her a feeling of being needed and that really was her
being needed and that really was her
being needed and that really was her moral turning point she had a sense of
moral turning point she had a sense of
moral turning point she had a sense of reparation in being able to make and do
reparation in being able to make and do
reparation in being able to make and do something for someone else and it
something for someone else and it
something for someone else and it restored a sense of her own personhood
restored a sense of her own personhood
restored a sense of her own personhood and her own value and making products to
and her own value and making products to
and her own value and making products to order in fact is a much crave
order in fact is a much crave
order in fact is a much crave personalization for customers to don’t
personalization for customers to don’t
personalization for customers to don’t we all want to have things in our home
we all want to have things in our home
we all want to have things in our home that have depth of meaning that have a
that have depth of meaning that have a
that have depth of meaning that have a story behind them that have a person
story behind them that have a person
story behind them that have a person behind them so we sell a lot of
behind them so we sell a lot of
behind them so we sell a lot of embroidered wedding quilts and
embroidered wedding quilts and
embroidered wedding quilts and christening quilts and cushions with
christening quilts and cushions with
christening quilts and cushions with names and dates on them commemorative
names and dates on them commemorative
names and dates on them commemorative pieces that have been made in prison and
pieces that have been made in prison and
pieces that have been made in prison and I I know how much it means to the people
I I know how much it means to the people
I I know how much it means to the people who make these works that as they say
who make these works that as they say
who make these works that as they say they’ve been entrusted to make them so
they’ve been entrusted to make them so
they’ve been entrusted to make them so finally this is just a detail of a
finally this is just a detail of a
finally this is just a detail of a tablecloth that was commissioned years
tablecloth that was commissioned years
tablecloth that was commissioned years ago and took a long time to complete
ago and took a long time to complete
ago and took a long time to complete because it was completed by an
because it was completed by an
because it was completed by an ex-offender who had moved back to
ex-offender who had moved back to
ex-offender who had moved back to Colombia she was done for drug smuggling
Colombia she was done for drug smuggling
Colombia she was done for drug smuggling and her life had completely changed when
and her life had completely changed when
and her life had completely changed when she got back to Colombia she really
she got back to Colombia she really
she got back to Colombia she really couldn’t get back into work again and
couldn’t get back into work again and
couldn’t get back into work again and her family was broken and the work that
her family was broken and the work that
her family was broken and the work that we were able to send her which was for a
we were able to send her which was for a
we were able to send her which was for a commission per castle in England enabled
commission per castle in England enabled
commission per castle in England enabled her to save up enough money to move to
her to save up enough money to move to
her to save up enough money to move to Spain to where her brother was and make
Spain to where her brother was and make
Spain to where her brother was and make a new life for herself so this object
a new life for herself so this object
a new life for herself so this object this little detail from a beautiful
this little detail from a beautiful
this little detail from a beautiful tablecloth is it’s a picture of a
tablecloth is it’s a picture of a
tablecloth is it’s a picture of a meaningful beautiful cherished object
meaningful beautiful cherished object
meaningful beautiful cherished object not cheap not throwaway but a product
not cheap not throwaway but a product
not cheap not throwaway but a product that one knows has done somebody good
that one knows has done somebody good
that one knows has done somebody good and likewise for the maker for the
and likewise for the maker for the
and likewise for the maker for the prisoner who made it as one of our
prisoner who made it as one of our
prisoner who made it as one of our workers said I feel like I’m putting
workers said I feel like I’m putting
workers said I feel like I’m putting something good out into the world thank
something good out into the world thank
something good out into the world thank you very much
you very much
you very much you
”
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