The Anne Frank exhibition at HMP Wellingborough (7th -18th March)

This was a superb event. A long time in planning, and really paid off for all concerned.

Again, all thanks to our prisoner guides, who worked so hard and were so committed to the project. The exhibition itself was situated for 2 weeks in the Chapel and adjoining areas, and was visited by fellow inmates, staff and their families, and also a local school and a college.

A debate on ‘Freedoms and responsibilities’, was extremely well received, and much thought provoking debate and opinion was heard by prisoners, staff and visitors. This was a great opportunity for people to share their thoughts on a number of topical/controversial issues.

Our guest speaker Mr Freddie Knoller (Holocaust survivor), fascinated the audience with his story of endurance and survival during the Nazi era. No one would have guessed by his energetic performance that day, that he is going to be 90 years young (his words) in April this year. Freddie is an inspiration to us all, and we are extremely grateful to him.

Leah Thorn (spoken word poet) led a very talented group of prisoners in her creative writing workshops which produced some extraordinarily powerful poetry, which was performed at the closing event. This was made especially poignant as families and friends of the prisoners were also invited to join them for this special occasion.

We greatly appreciate the special commendation from the IMB at HMP Wellingborough in recognition of the work we did jointly during this time and the impact that it had. We would like to especially thank Mr Tony Yeomans (Head of Diversity) and Governor Peter Siddons for their whole hearted and unstinting support for this project, and we look forward to working together in the future.

Click here to view a letter of commendation from HMP Wellingborough.

The Puffin Flight



 Awarded the Keith Bromley Platium Award for Nature Photography
Courtesy of the Koestler Trust



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)