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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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Men’s Health Week in Magilligan prison

Prison staff ran a creative arts competition in Magilligan Prison during Men’s Health Week and PAF showed our support by publishing the winning poem in the latest edition of Time In magazine.

Read the winning poem:

Locked Away

The day that I left you was my worst day by far
So many regrets
Of that stupid car –

While inside the horse-box, inside of the truck
My life disappeared
I ran out of luck –

 

When I arrived in Foyle House and got handed five ‘fegs’

I banged my head off the wall

And I squeezed on my legs –

 

It was two days later when I heard your voice

And that’s when I realised

I had no other choice –

 

Thoughts of self-harming and throwing the rope

Disappeared in an instant

And then I had hope –

 

You gave me a purpose and strength for the fight

And that’s what kept me

Breathing right through the night –

 

I looked to the moon and the reflection was bright

And I thought to myself

She’s looking tonight