Great Return Visit to HMP Whitemoor

The Prison Project started off 2011 with a return visit to HMP Whitemoor. This was a wonderfully well received event which was appreciated by both Prisoners, staff and even included a visit from a local college.

In the first week, the exhibition was situated inside the prison, and in the second week, just outside the walls in the Officers Mess where families of staff were able to attend. Many thanks to all, especially (then Governor) Nick Leader, and Gina Butler and all staff for all their help and support.

The Guest speaker Mrs Eva Clarke (Holocaust survivor) spoke to the prisoners and staff in a morning session, and to the school group in the afternoon. She was reported to have been very pleased with the reception she received from both groups. It was extremely well appreciated.

The Prisoner guides were a great credit to HMP Whitemoor, and did such a good job in presenting the exhibition. Many thanks guys! Great return Visit!

Poetry on the Holocaust

The Holocaust is colourless, dull and miserable


No colour to it.

If the Holocaust had a feel to it,

It would be numb,

No feeling to it.

If the Holocaust had a sound to it,

It would be a sickening silence,

No sound to it.

If the Holocaust had a vision to it,

It would be blank,

Nothing to be seen


Poem by a prisoner at HMP/YOI New Hall

Oakhill Secure Training Centre hosts the Anne Frank Exhibition.

Young people at Oakhill Secure Training Centre, taking their peers and Staff around the Anne Frank Exhibition.

Rachael Wood & Nick Daines (Oakhill PVE Team) coordinated the event at Oakhill STC. The aim of this project was to encourage the young people to turn their backs on prejudice and hatred and embrace positive attitude and diversity within society.

Guests invited to experience the event included, members from the community and local partnerships, including the local school. On the last day the establishment was also honored to have Iain Stewart MP (Milton Keynes) experience the closing ceremony for the event, to which he commented: “Thank you for showing me this important lesson from history so well, we must never forget what happened”.

Rachael Wood commented, “This exhibition will be remembered and spoken about with fondness at Oakhill for many years to come, may we never forget how this historic event has and will continue to shape our future”!

Young people had the opportunity to; work towards an OCN accredited course in Diversity, experience creative writing workshops with spoken word poet Leah Thorn, and were guided through the life and time of Anne Frank by their own peers. Below is one of the poems from a young trainee who attended Leah Thorn’s workshop:

My life is hard,

I’m in Secure,
I know there’s hope
because I’ve been before
How many months? Maybe nine.
That’s too long till I see the sun shine.
I can’t wait until I see my family,
I wait and I wait,
I think they’re not coming,
I’m not thinking straight.

You think my life is easy. It’s not.
You don’t have to trust me
but just believe me.
See, I’m only fourteen,
what happens when I’m eighteen?
Will I be in YOI?
I don’t know…..

Poem written by Reece (Oakhill STC)

 

One Off

Art work by Noel Parker HMP Maghaberry, courtesy of the Koestler Trust. The piece received a G4S Highly Commended Award.

' Hold On'

'Hold On' is one of an Anthology of poems produced at HMP Gartree, led by Leah Thorn, at the Anne Frank Trust Creative Writing Workshop. The event in July was a great success. We are extremely grateful to Mrs Eva Clarke ( Holocaust Survivor) for being our Guest Speaker during this event. Eva's talk was much appreciated by both prisoners and Staff. Special thanks to the team at HMP Gartree for their unstinting support.

► Hold On



 Hold on to your love
 Even if you’re on your own

Hold on to your dreams
Even if your afraid to sleep

 Hold on to your youth
 Even if you’re getting old

Hold on to what is real
Even if at times you have to pretend

Hold on to your tongue
If you’ve got nothing good to say

Hold on to hope
And draw it close

Let it warm your bosom
Don’t get morose

Hold on to the fact that
I will be here for you

Hold on to the thought that you’re my soul mate
And one day we will walk this earth!!

Hold on to your memories
They can’t be taken away from you

Hold on to your sanity
Even if its by a thread

Embrace this message
These are wise words that we’ve said!



► Group Work( Lloydy AJ, Malc,, John, Steve, TY) HMP Gartree, July 2010