Posts
Interesting story about the impact of the performing arts in prisons.
From Sabra William's blog posting.
"I spent three days in Guys Marsh Prison in Dorset with The Forgiveness Project. The experience blew my mind! We went in with Sandra, the facilitator; Jo Berry, whose dad was killed in the IRA bombing in Brighton; Pete, a former inmate of the very same prison we were in, who was released in January; and Paul, who had left his teaching job at Guys Marsh 10 days earlier after 30 years.
On the first day at Guys Marsh, with 20 guys in our group, Jo told her story of the ‘victim’s’ point of view (I hate the word victim; it holds no power) and how she had achieved forgiveness by working together with the perpetrator (Pat McGee) over the last 10 years or so. The guys were very moved and it opened up a discussion of forgiveness, during which several of the inmates expressed that they could never forgive. One of them, Peter, told us that he feels he’s evil because he’s committed terrible crimes and ‘enjoyed it.’ The others were shocked and expressed to him that they felt he was a good, kind person.
The next day, Pete, the former inmate, told his story of a lifetime of crime and incarceration in both the US and the UK. He has also kicked a heroin and crack habit. The guys were both moved and inspired by how he’s finally turned his life around and become a mentor.
In the afternoon, they made their ‘lifelines’, a map of their lives and all the ups (few) and downs (many). I was struck by how every one of them had suffered trauma and then a catalyst before they committed their crimes. One inmate, Drew, was able to tell his dramatic story of a ‘normal’ life that was torn apart by the revenge he took on someone who hurt his family, resulting in 12 years in prison. Drew and Peter, the inmate who thought he was evil, were able to comfort and encourage each other and formed a deep bond in front of our eyes!
On the third day we ended with an emotional and rewarding sum up where the inmates were given a positive affirmation of their work by each of us. It was a beautiful moment.
In our discussion afterwards, Sandra and I came to the conclusion that the work we do in California with The Prison Project would fit perfectly where The Forgiveness Project leaves off as the inmates are so ready to use their newfound emotions and freedom in a physical and creative way. Watch this space for what we might do together!"
I assume Trevor McDonald was not part of this US-UK cultural exchange? His two part Inside Death Row is on YouTube as well as the ITV Player.
Episode 1
Episode 2
Somebody should take a close look at D.K. Toteras' San Quentin prison masterpiece' Sunday They'll Make Me a Saint.
BFI Entry
Amazon Customer Review:
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the world's greatest absurdists November 14, 2012
By Steven Willing
'Sunday They'll Make Me a Saint' stands, along with Julian Beck's Living Theater and Uncle Tad Baker's Loon Show, as one of the 3 leading experimental theater pieces of the 20th Century. The text of this play was written while Toteras was in San Quentin, and is remarkable for its asymmetrical, a-linear plot lines and some of the most perverse and distorted yet effective dialogue to be found on any stage, at any time. This forgotten work stands, with Toteras' landmark 'The Execution of Abe Goldstein', as some of the most shocking imagery to be seen on stage in the 20th Century, and lead the way for successors such as Baker's Loon Show to flourish. Hats off to this far-seeing visionary and his equally-compelling masterpiece.
Stills from Sunday They'll Make Me a Saint
Also relevant, Louisa Adjoa Parker's poetry project with young offenders (Portland)
and Portland Prison
No comments:
Post a Comment