Inspiring creativity and encouraging personal and social change through the arts
The Prison Arts Foundation is as important as it is unique. Thanks to our pioneering work with people with convictions lives are being transformed and patterns of behaviour changed for good.
Our team of experienced professional artists working across the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland are offering people with convictions a life-line, helping to improve their creative and communications skills, which is key to personal and social development, building self-confidence and unlocking people’s potential.
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1st edition of ‘All In’ magazine published
The creation of the first cross-border prison magazine All In was realised after many productive months with creative collaboration between the Irish Prison Service and Prison Arts Foundation.
Editorial board
An editorial board established in November 2021 included Fred Caulfield, Allison Moore, Adele Campbell, Pamela Brown (team PAF), Tom Short (Arts officer for the Irish Prison Service), Shauna Gilligan (Portlaosie prison) and Geoff Power (Midlands prison).
Ethos
The ethos was in keeping with Time In magazine: ‘by prisoners, for prisoners’ featuring artwork and creative writing by people in custody within prisons in all of Ireland. A poster and information sheet were distributed to the prisons calling for a variety of artwork and creative writing. All In magazine aspires to serve as an outlet for alternative forms of writing and to complement the poetry and short stories featured in the Listowel competition and the Koestler Arts Awards.
Challenge
When content was submitted by prison writers and artists, the editorial board faced a challenging task not least due to the quality and quantity of the work received. Ultimately, the work was selected on merit, but selection was further based on themed categories such as education, music, the prison experience, prison programmes, flash fiction, artwork showcased and featuring the Listowel 2022 winners in all writing categories. Furthermore, All In recognises diversity, ethnic minorities, the travelling community, cultural issues, male, female, and LGBTQIA+ prisoners.
Communication
Co-editor, Tom Shortt commented that “It’s a cross border, co-operative effort, bringing the work of prison artists and writers to an audience that will appreciate their creativity.”
Pamela Brown said in her editorial that “A magazine that circulates through an institution is an integral dynamic for communication, for understanding and for affirmation. It is a pleasure and honour to work with the editorial board in selecting the content and devising the layout.”
PAF’s Executive Director, Fred Caulfield commented that the involvement of both organisations “was ground-breaking” and further explained that the commitment to the project “was very constructive, if not exciting, and a project we hope to repeat for many years to come.”
Collaborative work
All In offers sincere thanks to everyone who played a part in the creation of the magazine and who gave generously of their time and insights in shaping the content. The creation of this collaborative work would not have been possible without the tireless support of Prison Arts Foundation, The Irish Prison Service, and the Northern Ireland Prison Service. Sincere appreciation was extended to the many teachers and prison educators who supported their students during the submissions process. Thanks to graphic designer Eva Wason for the poster and magazine cover. All In magazine gives special thanks to the project innovators and the Editorial Board.
