HMP The Mount

HMP The Mount 30^th May – 3^rd June

The first time that we have been to HMP The Mount as far as I can remember, but that’s not very far these days!

A fantastic event made truly great by the group of guides that I worked with there. It is pretty true to say that there are not that many Jewish offenders languishing in British Jails, but at HMP The Mount, I had the pleasure to work with half a dozen Jewish prisoners, who had volunteered their services as exhibition guides for the event. Their own history and knowledge of Anne Frank and the Holocaust was perhaps not surprising but their commitment to explaining the story and the lessons of these times was truly exemplary, and was very inspiring for visitors to the exhibition. I was very heartened to see the no. 1 Governor Mark Drury in attendance at the closing event on Friday where our special guest Speaker Steven Frank held us all spellbound with his story of survival from Theresienstadt concentration camp, and how he came to England at the end of the war and made it his home.

Our special thanks to Head of Diversity MR Jim Bridger for doing such a grand job in organising it all.

Steven Frank

HMP Oakwood

I first met with the Equalities team at HMP Oakwood at the end of 2015, where we discussed having the event there in 2016. It was going to be a very special event, stretching over 2 weeks in February.

By coincidence, our very special Trustee and Key speaker Eva Schloss was going to be making a film with the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation at around this time, and so it was proposed that The JBC film Eva and the exhibition whilst at Oakwood. This request was put to the authorities but alas the idea was eventually turned down. This was a great disappointment to everyone concerned – but never mind.

We worked with a great group of prisoners who acted as peer mentors in presenting the exhibition to both fellow inmates as well as staff.

We had some wonderful feedback from the visitors throughout the event, and it was a very positive experience all round.

Many thanks to Neesha Ecclestone, Patrick Woodhead and Dan Daley who organised this event and for all their support throughout.

We are re-visiting the prison again in April/May when we will present 2 workshops – our ‘Free 2 Choose’ debate, and our ‘Creative writing’ workshop with Leah Thorn.  Eva Schloss will also be speaking there in April.

HMP & YOI Swinfen Hall Nov/Dec 2015

Birds, Arbury Court, acrylic on canvas, The Partnerships in Care Women in Secure Hospitals Platinum Award for Painting

The very last event of 2015 was once again in a Young Offenders Institution.

Swinfen Hall was a very memorable event, and once again we were extremely fortunate to work with a talented and intelligent group of young lads, who were very much committed to the project and had immense enthusiasm for their roles in this event.

There was a very special evening organised for staff and family to attend, in which the exhibition was presented to a group of 70 guests. The highlight of the event that evening was the talk from Holocaust survivor Mindu Hornick, which was very well received by everyone, and we were especially grateful to Governor Teresa Clarke for attending the Thursday evening event as well as the Closing event the following day.

Special thanks to Equality Officer Steph Morrow for all her hard work in making this such a success.

HMYOI Cookham Wood (November 2015)

Book of Dreams, HMP Bronzefield, cardboard, newspaper, tissue paper, glue and foam, Gold Award for Hand-made Books

An event characterised by the unstinting efforts of Diversity Officer Helen Nixon. Everyone agreed that Helen had gone ‘above and beyond’ to make this event work, and was extremely encouraging to all the young lads who were our guides for the week.

A very good percentage of the prison population were able to visit the exhibition, and it was very gratifying to see how much they learned from this experience.

There is some excellent work goes on in this prison, and the care that is shown for the young people’s futures is very admirable. It can’t be easy – well done to all!

HMP Lowdham Grange (Oct/Nov 2015)

Binds, The Ayr Clinic, PiC, Scotland, photographic print on paper, Photography

Yet another prison that we have not been to for a number of years but which invited us back there again in 2015.

Although Lowdham was a slow starter this time around, it gradually picked up by the time the word spread through the population, and then the numbers began to increase dramatically.

Eva Clarke was scheduled to be our guest speaker, but unfortunately had to cancel at the last minute due to illness, but is definitely going to re-schedule her talk for early 2016.

I was very grateful to all concerned for making the event such a success – especially Pam Ealden for all her efforts that week.

HMP Preston October 2015

Man Who Couldn't Smile, HMYOI Thorn Cross, acrylic and ink on paper, Pietro Crocioni Commended Award for Printmaking 

We came – we saw – and we set up on a Sunday!

 It was very good to be invited back to Preston after some year’s gap.

Mr Eric Cohen was our very special guest speaker who was very entertaining as well as informative about his Jewish faith and his own family’s story. He was extremely well received by the audience of prisoners and staff.

The prisoner guides (the men) were very knowledgeable about the story of Anne Frank and the Holocaust as well as issues going on in the world today, and did a great job imparting their knowledge to the other prisoners visiting the exhibition. It was a great pleasure to present the guides and Governors with books and certificates in appreciation of their support.

Very special thanks to Head of Equalities Chris Renwick for such a good event.

HMP Wormwood Scrubs Oct 2015

Image of Wormwood Scrubs Chapel

We have a fantastic relationship with this local London Prison, and were especially delighted to be asked back here again in 2015.

I was on home ground here, having been born in Shepherds Bush, and went to a school that looked out onto the prison. So, Wormwood Scrubs always stirs up a lot of old memories for me.

The exhibition was situated in the splendid Chapel, dedicated to St Francis of Assisi. This is fairly unique. Both the prison and chapel were designed by Edmund Du Cane and built by prisoners during the latter half of the 19^th Century.

A small group of dedicated prisoner guides presented this exhibition to their peers as well as to staff and guests. Needless to say, they did a great job.

Eva Schloss was again our guest speaker and was wonderfully received by the audience on the final day.

Special thanks to Cathy Panigel and her Diversity team for organising this event and for all their help and kind hospitality. 

Another welcome return to HMP Gartree! Anne Frank Prison exhibition - June 2015

Zion Lion of A Wing, HMP Gartree, soap, Sculpture. Image: Courtesy of the Koestler Trust

Another welcome return to HMP Gartree after several years. HMP Gartree is a Category B prison in Harborough -Market.

  

The exhibition was situated in a large modern workshop – central to the prison with very good access for all the prisoners to visit the event.

 A group of 15 prisoners had volunteered to act as our guides for the exhibition and after a day of intensive training were ready to a steer the visitors through the exhibition and to explain the story of Anne Frank and why it still has relevance in today’s world.

One of the guides (as sometimes happens) had volunteered for this work having been a guide in recent years at another establishment in the UK.The exhibition had a great many visitors, and on the last day, was extremely well attended by prisoners, staff and some outside visitors.

Mrs Eva Clarke was our guest speaker at the closing event and was very well received by the audience. Eva told the story of how she was one of the few babies to be born in a concentration camp during the last days of WW2. A miraculous story of survival against all the odds.

The Governor Mrs Ali Barker was most gracious in thanking Eva for coming there to speak and to say how much she had been affected by her story. This was made even more poignant because Governor Barker is herself pregnant and soon to give birth.

Many thanks to everyone concerned. Lindsay Beadnall and Verity Smith (Diversity & Equality) and to Bill Newton Deputy Governor for making the event go so smoothly.

HMP Peterborough welcome the Anne Frank Exhibition again. June 2015

Binds,The Ayr Clinic, PiC, Scotland, photographic print on paper, Photography. Image: Courtesy of the Koestler Trust 

Men’s prison May – June 2015

A much welcome return to HMP Peterborough after 3 years.

We started the first week of the event in the men’s side of the prison, and set up the Anne Frank exhibition on ‘Main Street’, a large space in which all prisoners pass through on most days. A perfect place to open up our exhibition to its full length.

An interested and very capable group of prisoners worked with me, and interestingly enough, a couple of the men had worked with me previously in other Gaols.

A slow start – but gradually interest grew and on the last days there were lots of people coming on the tours to see what was going on.

 Women’s prison June 2015

‘Main Street’ in the women’s prison is exactly the same as in the men’s side of the prison, and so once again we set up the exhibition there.

The group of women that volunteered to be our guides were a wonderful group to work with, and were extremely enthusiastic about the project. They did a wonderful job in presenting the exhibition to fellow prisoners and staff.

The highlight of this event was the talk from Dr Eva Schloss who spoke of her own incarceration in a concentration camp and about the Holocaust. It was magnificently inspirational, and the women (100 of them) showed their appreciation by giving Eva, two standing ovations. It was a beautiful moment, and Eva was extremely touched by this.

The closing day was a celebration of the Guides achievements over the week, and were all presented with Anne Frank books and certificates as a gesture of appreciation for their hard work and commitment to the project.

Later that day I was kindly introduced to Mr Michael Gove (the new Justice Minister) by long -time supporter of our work, HMP Peterborough’s Governor Nick Leader.

Mr Gove was very interested to see our exhibition and hear about all the work we have been recently been doing in prisons, and was also very pleased to hear how well the event had been received at HMP Peterborough.

Many thanks to Governor Nick Leader for his support and to Mr Tony Ryan for organising this very special event

HMYOI Werrington hosts the Anne Frank Exhibition March – April 2015

Man Who Couldn't Smile, HMYOI Thorn Cross, acrylic and ink on paper, Pietro Crocioni Commended Award for Printmaking. Image: Courtesy of the Koestler Trust

A welcome return to HMYOI Werrington this year.

We felt we were really getting our message over to the young lads there on this visit. It was a really good reaction!

Although we only had three lads to present the exhibition, they presented it extremely well. One of the Guides really came out of himself whilst doing this and all staff who knew him commented on the positive transformation.

*It is often not very easy to keep the attention of young men in these institutions, as most people will tell you - but on this occasion they were very attentive.

The team led by Clair Reynolds did a great job, and I was extremely grateful to see again the good work that is done in HMYOI Werrington, and the level of professionalism and commitment shown to the lads from the staff.

Susi Bechoffer was our special guest speaker and told the story of her search for her true Identity, and the choices that she had to make as she grew up in an adopted family in a foreign country – England. Everyone very much appreciated her talk.

Special thanks again to Clair and the team for making this such a memorable event.

Anne Frank Prison exhibition in HMP Kirkham

Book of Dreams,HMP Bronzefield,cardboard, newspaper, tissue paper,glue and foam, Gold Award for Hand-made Books : Image Courtesy of The Koestler Trust

Another event was hosted in March this year.

HMP Kirkham is fairly remote. Situated outside of Preston and with very infrequent transport and taxis.It is an open prison, where the population are given access to Education and Skills as well as working outside in the community prior to their release.

The prisoner guides were a nice bunch of guys who really succeeded in putting the exhibition across to all the visitors. They were the ones who really shined in this environment as they were able to organise this in their own way, and made sure that everyone understood Anne’s story and how it related to modern events.

It was decided that the best time to host the Guest speaker was after the event so that the optimum number of staff and prisoners would be able to attend this event on April 8^th. Our guest speaker Eric Cohen came highly recommended. It was the first prison that Eric had ever spoken in, and everyone remarked how well his talk had been received at the prison.

Many thanks to all concerned and to Governor Graham Beck for all his support

A History for Today exhibition at HMP Norwich

Boss?, HMP Everthorpe, oil on canvas, Painting. Image: Courtesy of The Koestler Trust 

We were invited to bring our exhibition to HMP Norwich during February and March, and a very interesting event it was.

Week one, the exhibition was in the main closed prison, and the second was re-sited in the Local Dispersal Unit which is just outside of the main prison. Although still on the same site it feels like a totally separate gaol.

The first week, the exhibition was presented by a group of men from the prison, who did it really well. At the end of the event we presented the men with Books and certificates to mark their achievements and also to celebrate the positive things that are done inside Norwich prison.

The organiser of the event was Head of Learning and Skills Linda Cosham , and supported by her colleague Dawn Roe did a great job. Many thanks for all their help with the event throughout.

The second week,We set up the exhibition in the LDU unit, a separate group of inmates were trained from the unit to present the exhibition to prisoners and staff, and although quite a small group they did a wonderful job in conveying the message of the exhibition.

Mrs Eva Clarke was wonderful, and spoke in both establishments in one day. This must have been a very exhausting schedule for her, and we are very grateful to her for all her hard work.

This was the first time that we had been to HMP Norwich and we look forward to returning again soon.

Anne Frank Exhibition at HMP Rye Hill

I'll Show You What Cuts Are, HMP Brixton, acrylic on canvas, Nick Le Mesurier

Commended Award for Painting. Image: Courtesy of The Koestler Trust

The first Anne Frank Prison event in 2015 took us to HMP Rye Hill near Rugby.

 A privately run Gaol by G4S, mostly taking longer serving prisoners. Once again we had a very knowledgeable group of volunteer guides, some of whom had visited concentration camps in Germany and Eastern Europe.

Equality Officer Mr Craig Jordan organised the event to great effect, and the closing event was made even more memorable by our guest speaker and Author Susi Bechhofer, talking about her personal journey to discover her true identity. The audience asked Susi many interesting questions about her life, and it was a very revealing and interesting session.

One prisoner memorably said to Susi – “You wanted to find out about your past - most of us here, want to forget ours”

 Well done to everyone for making this event such a success - We hope to return to HMP Rye Hill soon

HMP/YOI Wormwood Scrubs host the Anne Frank exhibition once again. December 2014

Aargh!, Anon, HM Prison Whatton,  Portraits. Image: Courtesy of the Koestler Trust

The last event for 2014, found me on home ground in West London. A very welcome return indeed!

A fantastic job was done by our guides over  the 2 weeks. Over a quarter of the prison population visited the exhibition. The final day was a very special event combining a talk from Dr Eva Schloss and a closing ceremony which was very well attended by the Prisoners, Staff and Guests. The whole event was filmed including interviews with prisoners and staff an was reported in the December issue of the Jewish Chronicle. A wonderful 2 page spread.

Click this link to read the JC article:http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/126652/speaking-conviction

An extremely good speech from deputy Governor David Redhouse to round off the proceedings. Books and certificates were presented to prisoners and it was the perfect end to a very exciting and eventful year for the Anne Frank Prison Project.

We would like to especially thank Sarah Poynton, the Diversity Manager and her colleague Lizzie Watson for doing such an amazing job in organising and coordinating the event, in order for us to show the public some of the very positive things that go on in prisons.

Anne Frank Exhibition at HMP Thameside November 2014

Snowfields, Anon, Kibble Safe Centre, Pastels. Image: Courtesy of The Koestler Trust

We did a two week event this time around at Thameside and it was a very welcome return. The exhibition was very ably presented by the prisoners.

It was a great pleasure to return to recently opened HMP Thameside in London,which is situated on the Belmarsh site in Abbey Wood London. The Chaplaincy Team led by Rev Andrew White again did such a marvellous job in organising the events and were a great pleasure to work with.

Mrs Eva Clarke came along  as a special follow up event, and was particularly impressed by the reaction of the audiences to her talk. Well done to everyone.

Anne Frank Exhibition visits at HMYOI Aylesbury, HMP Kirklevington Grange and HMP East Sutton Park in October 2014

My World, Anon, HM Prison Full Sutton, Gold Award for Drawing. Image: Courtesy of The Koestler Trust

HMYOI Aylesbury
A tough Young Offenders Prison which held the Anne Frank exhibition over 2 weeks. We Worked with a very committed group of young men who did a first rate job of educating their peers about the dangers of prejudice and hatred towards others.

Our guest speaker on this occasion was Rwandan genocide survivor, Sophie Masereke who told her own unique story which was very well received. 

Thanks to Sophie and a special thanks to the Event Organiser Pam Wayte.

Kirklevington Grange

It was a very intense week in Cat C/D prison Kirklevington Grange. A small  group of prisoners presented the exhibition within the prison during the first part of the week, but on the last two days they transferred the exhibition to Stockton Library where it was presented to the general public. It was great to see the interaction between prisoners and public.

Mrs Eva Clarke was superb in bringing her talk to both venues and was wonderfully received. 

A special thanks to the Organiser Graeme Parry and the Team.

East Sutton Park

We worked with quite an amazing and very forward thinking category D prison for women. It was a great honour to see the great work that is done in this prison, with an incredible non – reoffending rate.

Dr Eva Schloss was the guest speaker and was extremely well received. Exhibition guides did a tremendous job.

Thanks to Governor Helen Campbell-Roe, Victoria Barnett and Ruth Eagles for all their help and support.

Anne Frank Exhibition visits HMP Stafford Sept. 2014

The Visit, Anon, HM Prison Shepton Mallet, Bronze Award for Oil or Acrylic. Image: Courtesy of the Kostler Trust

A welcome return to HMP Stafford,this time with the large prison exhibition which looked wonderful in the prison Chapel. A very enthusiastic and involved team of prisoner guides ensured that the message of the exhibition got through to all visitors.

A very well organised event by Val Musgrove(Diversity Manager). Excellent talk by Eva Clarke who was presented with flowers from the prison in appreciation of her talk.

HMP Onley

Hastings’ Finest, Anon, HM Prison Cookham Wood, Under 18s Special Award for Oil or Acrylic
Image Courtesy of the Koestler Trust

This was the first time that we had visited HMP Onley and we were very pleased with the reaction that we received there.

This was an action packed week! We set up the exhibition on the Sunday and worked through the Bank holiday Monday to ensure the maximum impact of the event.

A well organised event, and again, an extremely enthusiastic  group of prisoners presenting the exhibition to peers and to staff.

The week culminated in a talk from Dr Eva Schloss, about her own personal experiences during the rise of the Nazis in Germany and the Holocaust. Miraculously, Eva and her mother Fritzi survived the extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau – sadly losing her father and brother and many other members of her family. Her mother married Otto Frank many years later, thus making Eva the posthumous step-sister of Anne Frank. As you can imagine there were many interesting questions from the audience. There was also a great surprise for Eva, as her birthday was going to be 2 days later the prisoners presented her with a framed portrait of the prison’s emblem transforming into a bird in flight.  Eva was very touched by this gift from the men.

We are very grateful to our prisoner guides for doing such a great job.

Very special thanks go to Mo Porter (Equalities) and Deputy Governor Craig Smith for organising this event. We would also like to thank  Governor’s  Sarah Coccia and Steve Ruddy for all their kind help and support.

HMP Moorland – HMP Lindholme – HMP Hatfield

My World, Anon, HM Prison Full Sutton, Gold Award for Drawing
Image Courtesy of the Koestler Trust

This was a combined event over the 3 Establishments in Doncaster.

HMP Moorland event was extremely well organised by Officers Jane Ayres and Debbie Freeman. The talk from Mrs Eva Clarke (Holocaust Survivor was recorded for prison broadcast and posterity by a small team of prisoners who were very professional.

HMP Lindholme a Cat C/D prison.

The exhibition was very well attended and much appreciated by all the visitors.

The guest speaker was again Mrs Eva Clarke who did a fantastic job in relating her story to both prisoners and staff at the prison. These 2 prison events were very emotional moments for Eva, as these were the first prisons that she had spoken in since the sad loss of her mother Anka in 2013.

HMP Hatfield

An open prison where there is a great emphasis on individual responsibility and rehabilitation back into the community. The men there did a wonderful job in guiding the exhibition, and as the finale to these events Dr Eva Schloss came up from London to give her talk there on the very last day of the event. Needless to say, it was a great success.

Many thanks to Mr Neil Moore, Chris Buttrick, and all the staff at Hatfield for making it such an enjoyable success.

We are especially grateful to Deputy Governor Tony Oliver of HMP Lindholme for initiating the 3 prison project, and to  #1 Governors David Bamford and Mahala McGuffie for all their support.

Thanks Tony!

‘All the way to Wayland’

Snowfields, Anon, Kibble Safe Centre, Pastels
Image: Courtesy of the Koestler Trust

Another first time event for the Anne Frank Prison Project. we were invited to bring our exhibition to HMP Wayland in Norfolk at the end of February this year. The programme was really good and we had a great bunch of prisoner guides, and great staff supporting the event.

Creative writing workshops were held with the prisoners by Leah Thorn. The Guest speaker for the closing event was Mrs Eva Clarke whose talk was greatly appreciated by all.

Many thanks to Deputy Governor Dodson and all the team at Wayland.