A benefit to us all

I left the Arts in Prison event feeling quite moved. I feel the work Alistair Fruish and his team do is extremely under appreciated in society as many people I know believe prisoners should not be provided with 'luxuries' or help as they have committed a crime and therefore need to serve their time without support. I disagree with this. Working with prisoners as Alistair does is extremely important in helping them move forward and develop themselves as people, not just as criminals. And, as Alistair says, "It's not just prisoners that benefit from the art; the whole establishment does."

The talk was wonderfully informative and engaging and I came away wanting to know more about the creative work people do with prisoners. I learned that work with prisoners is not limited to just reading and writing, but instead it branches out to various other creative means including plays which are broadcast on prison television and radio stations.

I cannot stress enough the importance of people like Alistair Fruish. The work he does is viewed by many as pointless and worthless but it is quite the opposite. With the levels of illiteracy in prisons so very high, it is important that there are people like Alistair looking out and offering support to those who need it in prison.


Casey Whiting.

Eliminating Bars

Alistair Fruish's talk began with him discussing what made him choose to be a Writer-in-Residence; he chose to work in a prison more out of personal interest and curiosity than anything else. 

His talk was engaging, interesting and revealed what it is really like inside a prison. Alistair also emphasised that keeping the prisoners interested in something whilst inside can have an impact on their lives on the outside and make them less likely to re-offend.

It's a genuine shame that there are only around 10 people in the country doing what he does: making films, putting on plays and writing stories, making life inside more bearable and keeping connections with family members outside.

Fruish's job makes a real difference and I'm glad I had the pleasure of hearing him discuss it.

 

Alexandra Kilcran

Art in Prisons: a sobering experience

The talk I attended was not about writing, though it was given by a writer. It was about people. It was about those the system failed, those who are imprisoned for their actions and what led to this sad situation.

The levels of illiteracy in our prison system are frankly ludicrous, and this man Alistair Fruish is one of only a handful of men and women trying to make a difference.

I learned that the prison system has its own TV stations, newspapers, and that men like Mr. Fruish work with the prisoners to make films, radio plays, works of fiction, to help develop and rehabilitate them.

This is good work, and I pray that it continues.


Ciaran Lovejoy

Residence in prison

The Cultural Exchanges Festival comes to Leicester this week. A particular event worth noting is Arts in Prisons: A Writer-in-Residence.

I’m really looking forward to hearing from Alistair Fruish who’s worked as a writer-in-residence in a number of prisons and co-produced work with inmates. 

It will be interesting to hear first-hand information of what a writer-in-residence does and how it benefits inmates. The event is free so it's definitely worth a visit!

Find tickets here, or have a look at Fruish’s website for more information on his work.

Alexandra Kilcran