Resources

This page contains useful resources, publications and links to other websites.

The power of language in prison

25 November 2011
In a recent prison arts e-news, Arts Access Aotearoa presented an article about writer and former prisoner Casper Walsh, who teaches writing in the British prison system. While creative writing is considered one of the most accessible artforms to deliver in prison, it is also one of the least utilised artforms in New Zealand prisons. This month, we profile the thoughts of the late American poet and writer Grady Hillman, who first became involved with arts programmes in corrections facilities when he did a creative writing residency in Texas Prison in 1981. View The power of language in prison...

Write to freedom: rehabilitating young men

19 October 2011
Caspar Walsh’s path to prison as an angry, violent, teenage drug addict was inevitable. In an article published in the Observer (May 2011), the novelist, mentor and founder of a prison writing scheme called Write to Freedom reveals how writing can lead to rehabilitation. View Write to freedom: rehabilitating young men...

Book highlights innovative prison theatre programmes

21 September 2011
The recent publication Performing New Lives: Prison Theatre (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2011) draws together some of the most original and innovative programmes in contemporary prison theatre. View Book highlights innovative prison theatre programmes...

Art therapy helps healing

21 September 2011
“We're working with people who come from backgrounds of serious abuse. Art therapy provides a unique opportunity for repressed, poorly understood and destructive emotions to surface in a safe way,” says British art therapist Kate Rothwell. View Art therapy helps healing...

Developing visual arts group projects in prison

22 August 2011
Corina Hazlett, a Canterbury artist and prison art tutor, has worked with prisoners this year to complete two mural projects – one at Christchurch Men’s Prison and the other at Christchurch Women’s Prison. View Developing visual arts group projects in prison...

Success of artist residencies in Northern Ireland prisons

22 August 2011
A range of artist-in-residence programmes, offered by the Prison Arts Foundation in Northern Ireland, demonstrates its commitment to the arts as a means of supporting people serving custodial sentences. View Success of artist residencies in Northern Ireland prisons...

Inspiring results from Scottish initiative

20 June 2011
Evaluation of a major prison arts initiative in Scotland has found clear evidence of improved literacy skills, physical and mental wellbeing, better relationships with family, peers and the community, and improvements in attitudes and behaviours that lead to offending. View Inspiring results from Scottish initiative...

New Zealand prison art findings in Australian research

16 June 2011
A creative arts programme that took place in Waikeria Prison in Te Awamutu is one of several international case studies cited in an Australian review of the philosophies and impacts of visual arts initiatives for inmates. View New Zealand prison art findings in Australian research...

Rehabilitation through the arts

8 December 2010
Rehabilitation Through the Arts operates in five New York State prisons, providing a range of programmes from theatre and dance to creative writing and visual art. View Rehabilitation through the arts...

Publication examines role of the arts in prison and the justice sector

17 August 2010
The role of the arts in rehabilitating prisoners and reducing re-offending is the theme of Expressions of Freedom and Fantasy, published by Arts Access Aotearoa in 2001. It is one of the few books in New Zealand looking at the role of the arts within prisons and in the justice sector. View Publication examines role of the arts in prison and the justice sector...

FAQ: The value of art professionals

21 July 2010
Why pay arts professionals instead of using volunteers to deliver the arts in prisons? View FAQ: The value of art professionals...

Storybook Dads in Britain

In Britain, Storybook Dads is a registered charity with headquarters in Dartmoor Prison. It started in 2002 with one person, Sharon Berry, working on the project one day a week. She then set the scheme up as a charity and began fundraising so she could expand the scheme. View Storybook Dads in Britain...

Fine Cell Work website

Interesting stories and media clippings, illustrating the important rehabilitative role that the arts can play in prisons, feature on the Fine Cell Work website. A registered charity, Fine Cell Work works in 26 prisons in England and Scotland, teaching needlework to prison inmates and selling their work. The inmates are taught by 45 volunteer instructors, many of whom have been taught at the Embroiderer's Guild and the Royal School of Needlework. View Fine Cell Work website...