Anne Frank exhibition returns to HMP Downview

The Child Within, Francis Inglis, HMP Bronzefield
Art by Offenders - Courtesy of the Koestler Trust

HMP Downview (adult female and young offenders unit) Again, a really good event (13th- 24th August)– Eva Schloss was our guest speaker, and was really appreciated by all who attended her talk (approx 80-90 prisoners and staff) We also facilitated a very interesting and lively Free 2 Choose debate, as well as Leah Thorn’s Creative writing workshop. Eva’s talk was filmed, as was the Free 2 Choose debate. Hopefully we will get some of the film and (or) audio from these sessions.

A Letter to Anne Frank

Dear Anne




Though you and I have never met I feel that I already

know you, as though I know so much about you,

and yet so little.



You were so brave in your time,

more brave than even I could ever have been.



So full of life and joy, full of freedom, and happiness.



When I read about your life, all I could do was weep

tears of joy for you and then tears of utter,

uncontrollable pain at your passing.



Though we have never met, I wished that I had a

chance to get to know you, to know who you truly

were and what your life was really like,

from you and no other.



Sarah

Anne Frank exhibition visits HMP Grendon & HMP Springhill

Constant Watch, Dena Thompson, HM Prison Send
Art by Offenders - Courtesy of the Koestler Trust



Combined event in HMP Grendon and HMP Springhill. ( 30th July- 10th August) Both establishments are considered to be quite unique ‘therapeutic communities’. HMP Grendon is a closed prison with many of the prison community that have served long sentences but are now considered to be low risk and are coming to the end of their sentences. HMP Springhill, literally next door is a Cat D open prison. The highlight of this event was Eva Schloss’ talk in HMP Grendon, some of the prisoners had seen Eva before and insisted that I invite her to this event. This was a great success (approx 90 prisoners and staff attended), and Eva Commented that “it was one of the best ever” and on the closing day at HMP Springhill, the Governor Jamie Bennett, brought visiting dignitary lady Edwina Grosvenor to see the work that we had been doing in those weeks and to speak to myself and the prisoner guides.


· **The Grendon regime is unique, as the therapeutic programme is the core work of the establishment. The therapeutic programme is based on therapeutic community principles, where a dedicated multidisciplinary team of staff work together with prisoners, in an atmosphere where attitudes and expressions, which would not normally be tolerated in prison, are accepted and used to give feedback to prisoners. This therapeutic dialogue leads to prisoners' greater understanding of their usual behaviour. Grendon aims to help prisoners develop more positive relationships, to change how they relate to others and to reduce their risk of re-offending

Anne Frank Exhibition returns to HMP Peterborough

Life on The Wing on the Inside, Anon, HM Prison Wandsworth
Art by Offenders-Courtesy of the Koestler Trust

A very welcome return (3^rd time) to the only dual purpose built prison for men and women. Kept separate at all times, both sides of the prison are a complete mirror image of each other. The men’s side contains approximately 480, and the women’s side 360 plus a 12 place mother and baby unit. A privately run (Sodexo) establishment, both modern and well managed.

The Anne Frank exhibition started on the women’s side during the first half of the run, and was enthusiastically presented by a core group of 10 women prisoners, who after training, acted as exhibition guides and peer educators, presenting the exhibition to both prisoners as well as staff and visitors. The event was extremely appreciated by all who visited, and the closing ceremony was open to the women’s families to attend. The ceremony was very moving as well as being a celebration of their achievements as guides.

The second part of the event was in the men’s prison, and again we were fortunate to have such a committed, enthusiastic group of prisoner guides to work with – they did a fantastic job!

Mrs Eva Clarke (Holocaust survivor) was our guest speaker in both establishments, and was very well received and appreciated by both audiences. Eva was miraculously born in Mauthausen concentration camp just before the camp was liberated, and both mother and child survived these horrors. In fact, Eva’s mother Anka Bergman recently celebrated her 95^th birthday surrounded by 4 generations of her family.

Our very talented creative writer Leah Thorn, once again, encouraged  the prisoners to produce some very powerful poetry using the themes of Anne Frank’s story as well as exploring their own personal experiences and feelings.

Steve Gadd presented the interactive debate ‘Free 2 Choose’ which explores various human rights issues to a group of over 30 male prisoners the week after the exhibition, and was knocked out by the lively response of the audience. It was a  great opportunity for the prisoners to freely express their opinions on all sorts of topical issues, and enjoy the informality of this type of workshop.

We are extremely grateful to Donna Jones (Decency Manager) for all her hard work in organising the event and to all the staff and departments involved in the project, as well as the continued support from Director Nick Leader, for all our work in prisons over the years.

The Anne Frank Prison Exhibition revisits Medway STC

Communitree, Anon, HM Prison Cookham Wood
Art by Offenders-Courtesy of the Koestler Trust

A welcome return to Medway STC this year.

The exhibition was situated in the Gym where trainees were able to visit easily. This was moved to the visitors centre outside , where school groups, families, as well as staff were able to view the exhibition. Dr Eva Schloss (now MBE) was the guest speaker, and was extremely well received by both trainees and staff alike. There was a great deal of interest in her story, and everyone was delighted to meet Eva, and made her very welcome.

We are very grateful to Beth Davies for organising this event, and to the Director of Medway STC Mr Ben Saunders for all his support. Another successful return!

Anne Frank Exhibition at HMP Exeter

You're Getting Transferred, Anon, HM Prison Shotts
Art by Offenders-Courtesy of the Koestler Trust

The exhibition held over 2 weeks in the Chapel of HMP Exeter.

The highlight of this event was the guest speaker Mr Arnold Kanarek who spoke to great effect about his family. His grandparents had fled the Nazi terror in Europe, however the majority of his extended family had cruelly perished during this time. A fascinating story brought up to date with Arnold’s own story and fascinating career as professional musician and fashion designer amongst other things.

 Steve Gadd (Prison Project Manager) worked with a very strong group of guides, who devised their own method of presentation, and had some very good ideas as to additional material addressing prisoners issues.

Thanks to Governor Ian Napper and the Rev Bill Birdwood for hosting this very memorable event.

HMP Long Lartin hosts the Anne Frank exhibition

HMP Long Lartin



Jan/Feb 2012. High security prison HMP Long Lartin was host to the exhibition once again after some years,and once again we were fortunate to have a small but totally dedicated group of prisoner guides. They really gave it their all, and did a wonderful job of presenting the exhibition to fellow prisoners and staff. Some fantastic poetry was produced by Leah Thorn’s creative writing group, and a selection of this work was performed at the closing ceremony. This was a fairly low key ceremony but was no less moving, and one could see that everyone had really enjoyed being involved in this project.

Special thanks to Debbie Pearcey, John, Lynn and Nathan for all their help and support throughout – well done everyone!



Poem Hopi Prayer

                                                         
                                                          Written by a prisoner at HMP Altcourse

Anne Frank: A History for Today exhibition visits HMP Altcourse

HMP Altcourse in Liverpool

January 2012 kicked off with a welcome return to HMP Altcourse in Liverpool. A well organised event and dedicated group of prisoner guides made this extremely memorable.

Highlights of this event were our guest speakers Mrs Sylvia Lancaster, mother of murdered Goth teenager Sophie Lancaster (whose story is featured in our prison exhibition) and Holocaust survivor Mrs Trude Silman. All who attended their talks were very moved by their stories. Both ladies were also interviewed for the in-house radio station run by the prisoners of Altcourse.

Amongst the guests at the closing ceremony were the Mayor and High Sheriff of Liverpool, Mrs Sylvia Lancaster, members of staff, prisoners, and prison Governor Mr John McLaughlin. It was a very moving event. Special thanks to Mr Martin Randall (Equality & Inclusion Manager) for doing such a great job!