Prison Work
Photography
Some years ago I approached Sir Stephen Tumim, Judge and her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Prisons. I wanted to undertake an art project with Lifers who were just beginning their life sentence. Sir Tumim was a huge advocate for Prison Reform and campaigned tirelessly to enable positive rehabilitation for the incarcerated.
After much red tape I was granted access to work with lifers at London’s top security prison, HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs and specifically D Wing which housed high risk prisoners. Over the course of one year, I conducted weekly art classes with ten Lifers. I spent a full day with these inmates, exploring various themes including different ways to express oneself creatively. Understandably the inmates were apprehensive of me at first, incredibly distrustful and wary of my presence. But over time, and as assurances and trust was built, walls were broken and masks began to peel away. An enlightening series of art projects emerged. And although many challenging times were experienced, it was an extremely rewarding and life changing experience for both myself and the inmates.
Mugshots
At one point, I asked the men to create their own mugshot. A mugshot that they felt would better reflect themselves. I first took their photograph, in the classic front and side profile, and then printed them on to a larger canvas for them to work off.
Behind the Mask
Breaking down the inmates inherent ‘mask’ was always going to be my biggest challenge. And helping them to become more aware of it. How they responded to me, how they behaved when surrounded by other prisoners or prison guards… each presented a very different personality. I asked them to really think about this and build a 3D mask that truly reflected who they really were or perhaps who they wanted to be. Finally I photographed them, within the prison facilities, wearing their new ‘identities’.
