National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance

Echoes of Holloway Prison
2018-07-13 - 2018-10-08 | London – Generic, London, United Kingdom
13 July – 8 October 2018
Islington Museum, 245 St John St, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 4NB
Free
A series of free events and workshops will be taking place throughout the exhibition run. Click here to find out more and book

7 September
DIRT – Burning Salt EP Launch
£12
Book now
As part of the project, Hannah Hull (Burning Salt) is artist-in-residence at Islington Museum. Hull has responded to Holloway’s stories with a series of songs, which will be released as an EP entitled ‘DIRT’.

This exhibition by Islington Museum explores the history and significance of Holloway Prison, the impact of its closure, and the memories of those who lived and worked there.
Until its closure in June 2016, Holloway Prison was western Europe’s largest women’s prison, holding over 500 inmates including both adult women and young offenders. Converted to a female-only establishment in 1902, the prison has housed women from all over Britain.
The project, run by Islington Heritage, in collaboration with Holloway Prison Stories and Middlesex University, seeks to capture stories of this highly significant place meaning that, even when it has gone, the voices and echoes of Holloway Prison will remain.
Click here to find out more

Image courtesy of Echoes of Holloway Prison

Broken Dreams
2018-08-01 - 2018-08-11 | Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London, United Kingdom
1st – 11th August
Royal Court Theatre, London
From £8
Click here to book
Devised and performed by men from HMP Springhill in collaboration with Kestrel Theatre Company, Broken Dreams is their story, shaped and written with Simon Longman and directed by Holly Race Roughan.
The play follows a group of friends struggling with grief, guilt and the long-standing fight for justice from a housing system they believe has failed them.
After a successful, packed-out performance last autumn at the Royal Court, Broken Dreams is back with a new cast from HMP Springhill released on license (ROTL) to perform for 8 shows.
Click here for more information and to book your ticket

Kestrel Theatre Company is a charity that takes professionals into prisons to work collaboratively alongside those in the criminal justice system to create original theatre and film. Broken Dreams is their second collaboration with the Royal Court following Blood and Water in 2016.

Voices in the Dark
2018-08-11 19:45 - 21:00 (Europe/London) | Shakespeare’s Globe, London, United Kingdom
7.45pm, Saturday 11 August 2018
Shakespeare’s Globe, London
From £10
Click here to book
A special performance featuring Intermission Youth Theatre at a unique candlelit performance exploring Shakespeare’s voice of the past and the young voices of today.
Intermission Youth Theatre perform devised scenes alongside personal stories written by young British Muslims. Witness the parallels between Shakespeare’s stories and these modern ones as pertinent scenes from his plays are weaved into the evening.
All of the profit from the event will be donated to Intermission Youth Theatre and Voices, a social start-up which aims to creatively challenge perceptions through the sharing and telling of people’s stories.

The young people Intermission Youth Theatre work with come from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds in the Greater London area who are vulnerable, lacking in opportunity, at risk of offending or ex-offenders.

Image courtesy of Intermission Youth Theatre

Introduction to arts in prison
2018-08-17 10:00 - 16:00 | 2 Granary Square, King's Cross, London
17th August 2018
10-4pm
2 Granary Square, King’s Cross, London, N1C 4BH
£40
BOOK NOW

This one day introductory course will explore some of the questions to consider before embarking on a creative project in this unique setting. The course will also provide an overview of the current criminal justice system and an insight to working inside a prison, looking at the practicalities. During the day we will explore the process of desistance from crime and learn from case study examples of how to deliver creative activity safely and responsibly.
The course will be delivered by Jessica Plant (Manager of the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance) and Sara Lee (Director of Music in Prisons). It has been adapted from the Clinks Working and Volunteering in Prison training course.
This is the first time we have delivered this course with an arts focus and we are therefore offering an introductory rate of £40 per person.
The course is aimed at those with an arts background, but with little or no previous experience of working in criminal justice settings. Please note this is not a qualification and will not provide a certificate to work in prisons.
Spaces are limited, so please book as soon as possible.
Click here to book your place

Tales from the digital underground
2018-09-13 18:00 - 21:00 | Central Saint Martins, Granary Square, London, N1C 4AA, United Kingdom
Thursday 13 September 2018
6 – 9pm
Central Saint Martins, London
FREE
Book now

Stretch Charity is characterised by an innovative arts and storytelling agenda that has proven successful in prisons and community projects for over a decade.
Over the past three years, their Big Lottery-funded Stretch Digital project has been an early pioneer in terms of introducing creative digital technology into the prison estate. Sadly, governors are still struggling with the question of how to implement a functional digital infrastructure into our prisons.
Stretch Charity’s Tales from the Digital Underground symposium marks the end of the project, and asks:

Where next?
What is the particular power and relevance of digital storytelling to this community?
And how can we utilise the lessons learned over the past three years to move forward?

Guests will have the opportunity to see and discuss a number of digital stories from the project; hear from project directors, academics and artists; and ask the speakers questions in a panel session. There will be time for further discussions with drinks provided.
Spaces are limited so please register your interest as soon as possible here

Image courtesy of Stretch Charity

Opening event: I'm Still Here
2018-09-18 | London – Generic, London, United Kingdom
18th September, from 2pm
Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London
Free, no booking required
Join Koestler Trust and Justice Secretary David Gauke for the official opening of the 2018 Koestler Trust exhibition I’m Still Here.

Free launch event with The Rt Hon David Gauke MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, The Rt Hon Jeremy Wright MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport – plus speeches, performances, pop-up Koestler Art Shop and exhibition tours.
This is the official opening of the 2018 Koestler Trust exhibition I’m Still Here, which has been curated by families who are supporting someone inside. The exhibition features entries to the 2018 Koestler Awards and will be open from 19th September – 4th November 2018.
More information

The Other Side of the Wall - three day training course
2018-09-19 - 2018-09-21 | Birmingham – Generic, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Wednesday 19th – Friday 21st September 2018
Birmingham
£330
The Other Side of the Wall (TOSOW) is a three-day course from Geese Theatre Company which invites participants to experience and practise a variety of theatre and drama-based methods for use in groupwork.

In 2016, National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance members were asked ‘which training courses they found to be impactful for the sector’s needs.’ Geese Theatre Company was mentioned five times as often as other providers. In particular, their TOSOW course was listed as particularly valuable.
The focus of TOSOW is on exploring some of the basic principles behind the company’s use of drama with people in prison and community settings, offering workers effective and widely applicable techniques in order to:

Cross over the ‘wall’ and explore with the prison group participants’ experience of the world.
Assist prison group participants in identifying patterns of behaviour and exploring new strategies for change.
Identify and assist in the development of interpersonal skills.
Create an environment where safe and relevant experiential learning can take place.

No previous drama or theatre experience is necessary, however a willingness to actively explore new methods of working is an essential requirement.

Click here to find out more and book your place

I'm Still Here
2018-09-19 - 2018-11-04 | Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX
19 September – 4 November 2018
Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London
Free, no booking required
I’m Still Here is the 11th exhibition produced by Koestler Trust in partnership with Southbank Centre. It follows the success of last year’s exhibition Inside, which was curated by Antony Gormley. This year, the diverse range of art, writing and music has been selected by the families of prisoners inside, giving a unique and very personal edge to the show that explores what it is like to have a loved one in prison.
Details of works to be included in I’m Still Here will be released at a later date.
Click here for more information

Opening Festival with The Rt Hon David Gauke MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
18 September, from 2pm
Royal Festival Hall, Clore Ballroom, Level 2
Free, no booking necessary
More information here
Voices from Prison
24 October, 7pm
An evening of spoken word and poetry
Pop-Up Koestler Art Shop
In the exhibition space daily
Exhibition tours
Led by ex-prisoner hosts
Monday to Thursday 6pm
Friday to Sunday 1.30pm and 6pm
Free, no booking required

The Koestler Trust is the UK’s best-known prison arts charity. Each year it encourages over 3,500 people within the criminal justice system to express themselves creatively and learn new skills by entering work to their annual Koestler Awards.

Image: Lucy, HM Young Offenders Institution Cookham Wood, acrylic on canvas 2018. Courtesy of Koestler Trust

30 years of Geese Theatre Company - a celebration
2018-09-27 17:00 - 21:30 | Birmingham – Generic, Birmingham, United Kingdom
mac (Foyle Studio), Queen’s Ride, Birmingham B12 9QH
Thursday 27th September
5pm – 9:30pm
Free
Since 1987, Geese Theatre Company has presented interactive performances and facilitated drama-based groupwork and training events in secure and community settings. This celebration event includes a rare chance to see Geese perform and find out more about the methodologies and techniques which shape their work.
Join them from 5pm for a drink, light snacks and a chance to catch up with friends, old and new. At 6pm, they will be presenting a full performance of Previous, a funny and moving piece following the stories of 3 men in prison. They will also be demonstrating the impact of groupwork for women, inside and outside secure settings. Speakers include Dr Clark Baim, psychodrama psychotherapist and Mags Patten, Arts Council England.
Tickets are free but very limited so please book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Click here to book your seat

Image courtesy of Ian Cuthbert Design

How can art create a less violent society?
2018-10-05 18:00 - 21:00 | London – Generic, London, United Kingdom
Anne Peaker Debate 2018
Cottesloe Room, National Theatre, London
Friday 5th October, 6 – 9pm
£10
BOOK NOW
In what ways does art contribute to violence in society?
In what ways does it prevent it?
Does art in the criminal justice system contribute to creating a less violent society, or can it do it harm?
This year, as part of The Monument Trust Fellowship, our annual Anne Peaker event will focus on art and violence. The event will be chaired by Alison Frater with a panel debate from a variety of contributors including academics and artists. Speakers include:

Rebecca Friel, Director, Odd Arts
Chairman Kato, Artist and activist
Keith Palmer, Director, The Comedy School
Craig Pinkey, Urban Youth Specialist and Lecturer, University College Birmingham
Michael Smith, Performer, Synergy Theatre Project

Synergy Theatre Project will also be performing their new play Blackout on the theme of youth violence.
The event will run from 6pm – 8pm with networking drinks until 9pm. Spaces are limited so please book in advance.
Click here to book your ticket

Image courtesy of Intermission Youth Theatre

Thick as Thieves
2018-10-11 - 2018-11-21 | Various – UK, Various, United Kingdom
11 October 2018 – 21 November 2018
Theatr Clywd | Salisbury Playhouse | Hull Truck
From £9
Book now
Thick as Thieves, co-produced by Clean Break and Theatr Clwyd and written by Katherine Chandler, will tour the UK in November 2018.
The play explores two women from very different worlds: Karen has built a picture-perfect life while Gail struggles to keep hers together. When Gail re-enters Karen’s life from out of the blue she brings with her everything Karen has been running from…
This tense, revealing play explores what it means to care for one another and asks who, in a time of increasing disconnect, we expect to look after us.
Click here for dates and booking

Clean Break was set up in 1979 by two women prisoners who believed that theatre could bring the hidden stories of imprisoned women to a wider audience. Still the only women’s theatre company of its kind, Clean Break has remained true to these roots and continues to inspire playwrights and captivate audiences with groundbreaking plays on the theme of women and crime.

Image courtesy of Clean Break

Geese Theatre Company introductory workshop
2018-10-11 14:00 - 17:00 | Birmingham – Generic, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Thursday 11th October 2018
2pm – 5pm
Geese Theatre Company offices, Woodbridge House, 9 Woodbridge Road, Birmingham B13 8EH
Free
Throughout the year, Geese Theatre Company regularly host a free Introductory Workshop to share their practice in interactive theatre, drama-based groupwork and training within the criminal justice system and secure institutions.
The next one will be on Thursday 11th October and is a chance to experience Geese’s work and an opportunity to ask specific questions.
The sessions are particularly suited for:

students researching prison theatre, Geese Theatre Company, the use of masks etc
academics
professionals interested in commissioning a Geese performance / project

The sessions may cover:

the history and development of Geese Theatre Company
some of the theories which underpin our work
the different contexts in which Geese work
the role of evaluation
masks and their role in Geese’s work
practical demonstration of exercises and theatre structures for group-work

Click here to reserve your place

Changing Tunes autumn concert
2018-10-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Bristol – generic, Bristol, United Kingdom
Saturday 13th October
7:30pm (Doors 7pm)
Woodlands Christian Centre: The Crypt, Bristol
Tickets: £5
Changing Tunes’ autumn concert is a unique opportunity to see the results of its work, with a mixture of songs by its beneficiaries and musicians, and first-hand stories of how music has helped change lives. It is an uplifting and positive evening, with varied genres of music to enjoy and an eye-opening insight into the power music has to transform lives.
Click here to book

Changing Tunes is a charity that uses music to help prisoners and ex-prisoners live lives of meaning and purpose after prison. They work in 14 prisons across the South of England, Wales and the Midlands and also work with ex-prisoners post-release in Winchester and Bristol.

Image courtesy of Changing Tunes

Operation Jurassic: book launch
2018-10-20 | Bradford – generic, Bradford
Save the date: 20th October
Impressions Gallery, Bradford
Free
Operation Jurassic is the culmination of a long-term photographic collaboration between brother and sister Pablo and Roxana Allison that follows one person’s journey of imprisonment.
The book will be launched during Impressions Gallery‘s photo book fair with an ‘in conversation’ between Pippa Oldfield, Head of Programmes, and the artists.
The work will also be presented at Foto Museo Cuatro Caminos in Mexico City later in the year.

http://artsincrimjustice.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/13114027/VID-20180921-WA0000.mp4

Image courtesy of Pablo and Roxana Allison and Pavement Studios

The Island
2018-10-20 - 2018-11-09 | Various – UK, Various, United Kingdom
20th October – 9th November
Wales (various locations) and Manchester Lowry Theatre
Book now
Presented by Fio
Written by Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona
This soaring, award-winning drama draws on the stories that linger from the notorious prison on Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated, to mark 2018, his centenary year.
Two men, political prisoners and unlikely friends, stagger through days of pointless, back-breaking labour, coping with vicious beatings from the guards and spending their nights remembering a life outside their current misery. They prepare for a performance of Antigone in front of the other inmates and guards – an act of defiance from people who have lost everything…
a hugely powerful and moving piece of theatre, so impressively delivered by Joe and Wela as ‘John’ and ‘Winston’; they were giants on the stage that night. It was a privilege to be there; to be made to confront the uncomfortable truth of a tragic human injustice, yet see the courage of the human spirit prevail despite that injustice and all conveyed so movingly by Joe and Wela is an experience that will stay with me for a very, very long time.”
JENNIFER OWEN-ADAMS, CHAIR OF POWYS DANCE
Fio is a Cardiff-based theatre company working across the UK and internationally, bringing world class socio-political stories to local audiences. Everyone has a story to tell, and each individual is as important as the next. Together, Fio makes theatre that celebrates individuality, tearing down stereotypes and offering everybody a chance to make their mark in the world.
Click here for more information and book your tickets

Image courtesy of Fio

Lucy Orta: Procession Banners
2018-10-23 - 2019-01-20 | Birmingham – Generic, Birmingham, United Kingdom
23rd October 2018 – 20th January 2019
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 5pm
Medicine Bakery and Gallery, Birmingham
Free, suggested donation £3
Early this year artist Lucy Orta collaborated with female residents of HMP Downview to design 30 banners to mark 100 years since British women won the vote. In 2016, many residents were transferred to HMP Downview after the closure of HMP Holloway, then the largest all women prison in Europe, and the notorious site where over 1,000 suffragettes were imprisoned. Seven banners were carried by London College of Fashion students as part of the centenary Processions march, produced by Artichoke, in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast on 10th June 2018.
Ikon Gallery exhibits a selection of banners for the first time at Medicine, the former gallery of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists.
Click here for more information

Photo courtesy of Ikon Gallery and Michelle Marshall

Guilt Trip
2018-10-31 - 2018-11-24 | London – Generic, London, United Kingdom
31 October – 24 November 2018
7.30pm, Wednesdays to Saturdays
St Saviour’s Church, Walton Place, London SW3 1SA
BOOK NOW

Intermission Youth Theatre‘s modern re-telling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing looks at loyalty, trust, equality, gender and respect.
Don P and the Aragon boys – Benedick and Claudio – have been invited to the party island of Messina by promotor Leon. Also in Messina (unbeknown to Leon), is his younger sister Hero and feisty cousin Beatrice.
Claudio falls instantly in love with Hero and pleads with Don P to help him win Hero’ love. Don P agrees and a plan is hatched. Claudio has to marry Hero in Messina to prove he is serious!
Also in Messina is Don John, Don P’s illegitimate and jealous brother. Prepared to do anything to ruin the happiness of his brother and the Aragon boys, Don John plots to deceive Claudio into believing Hero is unfaithful.
Meanwhile Benedick is highly irritated by the sight of his old flame Beatrice. Don P hatches a plan to set them up.
Will Claudio get his girl? Will Don John ruin the party? Will Beatrice and Benedick hook up?
It’s all happening in Messina, the land of sun, sea and social media!

Image courtesy of Intermission Youth Theatre

Have your say about Arts Council England's 10-year strategy
2018-11-08 09:30 - 12:00 | Liverpool – generic, Liverpool, United Kingdom
8th November, 9:30am – 12:00 pm
FACT Gallery, Liverpool
Free
Limited spaces – book now
This workshop is an opportunity to contribute to Arts Council England’s thinking and share your views on the proposed outcomes that will shape its 2020-2030 strategy. The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) wants to explore where and how your innovative work may fit into Arts Council England’s vision.
We want to hear from artists and arts organisations (across all art forms) who are working, or would like to work, in criminal justice settings. We would also like to hear from people working in prisons and community settings who are interested in using the arts to support rehabilitation, employability and wellbeing.
John McMahon, Senior Manager, Policy and Research, from Arts Council England will introduce the strategy and outline the importance of a strong response from the criminal justice sector. Your views will help shape the NCJAA response to the consultation.
If you can’t attend the event but would like to feed into the consultation you can learn more on the process and fill in their survey on Arts Council England’s website
Book your place here

In April 2018 the NCJAA became an Arts Council England funded Sector Support Organisation as part of their National Portfolio. We aim to represent the views of artists, arts organisations and creative practitioners working in criminal justice settings.

Image: Odd Arts at the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance Annual Conference 2017

Media training: talking about arts in criminal justice settings
2018-11-13 10:00 - 16:00 | London – Generic, London, United Kingdom
Tuesday 13th November 2018
10am – 4pm
The Foundry, 17 Oval Way, London, SE11 5RR
£75
BOOK NOW

A one day training course on how to positively navigate conversations with the media about work in arts and the criminal justice system.
The National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance has collaborated with Nine Media Training and consultancy to design a one day course, which aims to support and prepare members so that they can appropriately promote their work with confidence and expertise.
Nine Media Training and Consultancy has direct experience of working with people who have come into contact with the criminal justice system, and in training professionals on how to expertly handle conversations with the media.
The training includes exercises and discussions on:

how to give a great interview
media secrets
mock interviews
deflecting tricky questions
speaking on and off the record
using bridging techniques.

You can expect to go away armed with tools and techniques and feel able to speak confidently with journalists about their work.

Tea and coffee will be provided, however you will need to bring your own lunch.
Spaces are very limited and are offered on a first come, first served basis.
Click here to book your place

Image courtesy of Intermission Youth Theatre

Bullet Tongue
2018-11-14 - 2018-12-15 | London – Generic, London, United Kingdom
14th November – 15th December
151 Englefield Rd, London N1 3LH, UK
From £12.50

Click here to book
This immersive show is an authentic trip into life on a London estate, performed by and made with young people from Islington. They’ll take over a converted North London frame factory for a show that delves into the world of ‘County Line’ drug dealing, where gangs set up supply chains that reach out into the countryside or coastal towns.
Bullet Tongue is presented by youth charity The Big House, written by Andrew Day and Sonya Hale, and directed by Maggie Norris.
Praise for previous The Big House productions:
“Visceral storytelling. Shot through with moments of pure theatre, graced with vivid, moving performances by an excellent young cast. A stirring opening statement from this exciting new theatre group.”
– Jez Butterworth

The Big House is a charity working with care leavers and at risk young people, staging high profile theatre and film productions.

Image courtesy of The Big House

Staging Rehabilitation: a masterclass
2018-11-15 10:00 - 16:30 | London – Generic, London, United Kingdom
Thursday 15th November
10am – 4:30pm
Clean Break, London
Tickets from £65.52
Three bursary places are available on this course to anyone who has had direct personal (not professional) experience of the criminal justice system. To apply for these, please write explaining your interest in the training event to general@cleanbreak.org.uk marking your email FAO Anna Herrmann.

This masterclass is for both theatre artists and criminal justice professionals interested in the specialised field of arts in the criminal justice system. The day will be an introduction to the work of two of the leading organisations in this field.
Participants will:

learn about the companies different working practices
understand the principles and theory underpinning their work
explore best practice in this field

The day will be participatory and involve drama and theatre exercises, group work, discussion and a plenary session at the end.
The course will be led by Anna Herrmann Joint Artistic Director at Clean Break and Andy Watson, Artistic Director of Geese, leading organisations in the field of arts and criminal justice and members of the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance Steering Group.
Click here to book

Inside Perspective
2018-11-27 - 2018-12-09 | Liverpool – generic, Liverpool, United Kingdom
27th November – 9th December 2018
Tate Exchange, Tate Liverpool
Free
An exhibition of prisoner artwork inspired by Op art in Focus, currently on display at Tate Liverpool, Inside Perspective will present an examination of the lines, shapes and colours used to create dazzling, optical effects.
This project is the second to be presented by social enterprise Novus, who deliver education, training and employability services to adults and young people in the UK’s prisons.
They have found that prisoners engaging in creative arts projects can help to increase self-confidence, tackle issues and build relationships with their families, and sustaining strong family relationships while in prison can play an important role in helping to reduce reoffending. Learners from a wide range of classes have used their skills to engage with the project.
Artwork will be displayed from adults and young people in prisons in the North West, North East, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, London, and Kent and Sussex, young people’s institutions (Kent, Staffordshire and Yorkshire) and secure training centre (Rugby).
Click here for more information

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons [public domain]

Head-Rot Holiday
2018-11-27 - 2018-12-22 | London – Generic, London, United Kingdom
The Hope Theatre, Islington, London
27th November – 22 December
Tuesday – Saturday only, 7:45pm
£15 / £12
BOOK NOW

“Christmas is a right frightening bastard. If you can survive it in here then there’s hope.”

Head-Rot Holiday was first staged by Clean Break, a theatre company dedicated to giving a voice to women in the criminal justice system. Nearly three decades later, Weighed In mounts a special revival of this irreverent dark comedy from one of the most important feminist writers of her generation, Sarah Daniels (Masterpieces, The Gut Girls).
Working in association with Women In Prison, this production, directed by Will Maynard, sheds a light on neglected stories of women caught in the criminal justice system.
“December 1991. In a secure hospital for the ‘criminally insane’, three women prepare for the Christmas disco. The parole board’s recipe for early release: put on a dress, wear some make-up… and dance with a rapist or killer of your choice. Ruth hears voices but distracts herself with karaoke. Claudia defies the racist nurses and longs to see her children. Dee applies mascara for the first time and is paid a visit by an angel. Behind iron bars, the patients and nurses of Penwell Hospital ask: in such a topsy-turvy world, who are you to say that I’m insane?”
Click here to book your ticket

Image courtesy of Weighed In Productions

don't forget the birds
2018-11-27 - 2018-12-01 | London – Generic, London, United Kingdom
27th November – 1st December
Battersea Arts Centre, London
From £10
BOOK NOW
“Rich in contradictory humanity and a touching portrait of a mother-daughter bond.”
★★★★ The Guardian
At the end of Open Clasp’s award-winning drama Key Change, four women walk towards the prison gates. The sun is shining, their families are waiting. don’t forget the birds is the true story of what happened next for one of the original collaborators on Key Change, now released and working with Open Clasp Theatre Company.
Written by Catrina McHugh MBE and directed by Laura Lindow, this first-hand account from real-life mother and daughter, Cheryl and Abigail Byron, tells their heart lifting journey to find each other again.
A co-production with Live Theatre.

Image courtesy of Open Clasp Theatre Company

Rising
2018-11-27 19:00 - 21:00 | London – Generic, London, United Kingdom
Tuesday 27th November
7pm
Livestreamed from London City Hall
Free

As part of the launch of the Mayor of London’s Winter Homelessness Campaign, Cardboard Citizens will perform Rising by Femi Keeling in the Council Chamber of London’s City Hall.
“Rising is the story of Terrence, who has just been released after a short prison sentence – he’s full of hope, but faced with battles against the system and demons from his past, he’s on the edge. He’s moving on, but is he moving in the right direction?”
Rising is a Forum Theatre piece, so the play will be followed by an interactive session where audience members at City Hall – and commentators online – will be able to step into the action and change the outcome of the story. There will also be a panel discussion with leading speakers on the issues of the play.
Viewers can comment and contribute to the debate from the Cardboard Citizens website, and by tweeting using the hashtag #CitzRising
The event will be livestreamed on the City of London website here, and on Cardboard Citizens’ website here (from 7pm)

Image courtesy of Cardboard Citizens

2018 Longford Lecture
2018-11-28 18:30 - 20:30 | London – Generic, London, United Kingdom
Wednesday 28 November, 6.30pm
Church House, Westminster, London
Free (donations encouraged)
BOOK NOW
The Longford Trust has announced details for its 2018 Longford Lecture.
The broadcaster Jon Snow, one of its trustees, will chair a panel discussion on the theme ‘Why People Stop Doing Crime’. He will be joined by three current Longford Scholars, ex-prisoners who are studying for degrees with the trust’s support, plus the acclaimed actor Michael Balogun, who took up drama while inside.
Together – with contributions from distinguished voices in the audience – they will set out proposals to reduce the prison population and promote the rehabilitation of offenders. It will be broadcast live on National Prison Radio.
Click here to book your ticket

Image: Ken Loach at last year’s Longford Lecture. Courtesy of The Longford Trust, credit: Russell Bruns

Carol concert
2018-11-28 18:30 - 20:30 | London – Generic, London, United Kingdom
Wednesday 28th November 2018
St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden
6.30pm
Free
Email events@prisonerseducation.org.uk to book your place
Prisoners’ Education Trust has announced a Christmas Carol Concert at St Paul’s Church in London.
The event, supported by Phoenix Equity Partners, promises to be an entertaining evening and will feature an array of Christmas carols sung by the London choir Fever Pitch and presentations from former prisoner learners and PET President, His Honour John Samuels QC.
Click here for more information

Image courtesy of Prisoners’ Education Trust, credit: Charles Milligan

Making art with young people in custody
2018-12-03 14:00 - 17:00 | Glasgow – generic, Glasgow, United Kingdom
3rd December 2018, 2pm – 5pm
National Theatre of Scotland, Glasgow
Free
BOOK NOW
A Scottish Prison Arts Network (SPAN) event for Year of Young People 2018. A sharing of ideas and practice from artists, young people and researchers.
14:00 – Welcome & Intros
14:20 – Provocation from Nina Vaswani (key note), Research Fellow at the Centre for Youth & Criminal Justice (CYCJ)
15:00 – Discussion from provocation in small groups
15:30 – Coffee break
16:00 – Presentation on MOTION by Glas(s) Performance and the National Theatre of Scotland (with contributions from young artist since released from Polmont and Barnardos)
16:45 – Shout outs from organisations working with young people in Scotland
17:00 – Annual General Meeting (all welcome) followed by wine
Click here to book your ticket

Image courtesy of SPAN

Bringing together the youth justice and arts sectors
2018-12-06 17:00 - 19:00 | Birmingham – Generic, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Thursday 6th December
Midland Arts Centre (mac), Birmingham
5 – 7pm
Free
Book here
Arts Connect and the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA) would like to invite you to a Christmas networking event for professionals working in arts and criminal justice.
In a bid to unite the sector in the West Midlands, we are inviting professionals from Youth Offending Teams, Pupil Referral Units, Youth Offender Institutions, arts organisations and artists who work in this area.
This will be an ideal opportunity to: network, gain more insight into the work of Arts Connect and NCJAA and be kept informed on future opportunities, whilst also indulging in a festive atmosphere with mince pies and non-alcoholic mulled wine.
Click here to register your place

Image courtesy of Southbank Mosaics

Film screening: Tre Maison Dasan
2019-01-21 17:30 - 21:00 | London – Generic, London, United Kingdom
Monday 21st January
The Roundhouse, London
Doors 5.30pm
£5
Safe Ground, in association with Hello World Productions, present a feature length documentary about the impact of parental imprisonment, followed by a community conversation.
The winner of 2018 award for Best Documentary Feature at Raindance Film Festival, Tre Maison Dasan is an intimate portrait of three boys growing up, each with a parent in prison. Directly told from the child’s perspective, the film is an exploration of relationships and separation, masculinity, and coming of age in America when a parent is behind bars.
Click here to book

Safe Ground is an award-winning charity delivering therapeutic group work with fathers in UK prisons since 2003.

Image courtesy of Safe Ground and Hello World Productions
