Poetry in Prison:The Unlocked Project

Michael Riley & Noreen Pang

"I came for the rap. I stayed for the

poetry."   - inmate, Unlocked workshop

Key Acknowledgements:Rob Osborne

Jo FeatherstoneGareth Jenkins

What is Poetry?Definition:

Writing that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience in language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound and rhythm. Websters dictionary 2013

Most people ignore most poetry because most poetry ignores most people.

Adrian Mitchell.

A key objective in adult education is to foster creative and flexible teaching methodologies that encourage participants to understand and apply

tangible abstract thought

To experience and appreciate this unique form of self expression which would improve their thinking

ability and also discover more about themselves and subsequently others

“Learning is not a consequence of being taught; learning is not a consequence of listening; learning is a

consequence of thinking’’

What connection does Poetry have with the rehabilitation of offenders?

To discover self expression in a way that can be inclusive yet creative and individualistic

Involuntary membershipResistance issues that were overcome by

discerning communication practice:•Stereotyped views about Poetry and Poets

•Lack of trust in facilitators (and the system)

•Viewed as a form of elitism

•Perceive themselves as illiterate or uneducated

•Concerned about malicious gossip or ridicule for actively engaging in this project

•Scared and intimidated!

How did it work?

•One important rule applied throughout the process – there are no rules

Be creative! Be curious! Be adventurous!

The Structure

•Teaching staff – Logistics, scheduling, maintaining security protocols and active learning mentors

•3 Guest poets – Shared personal life experiences and the process they applied when producing their own works, Sharing their published works, challenges of being a poet and why they loved this art

•4 Poet facilitators – Providing a structure to the formulation of self expression within this vehicle of literature, various poetry methodologies such as sonnets, limericks >>>> the mindset required for poetry formulation, practical demonstrations

A variety of Strategies

Outcomes • Six completed anthologies

• Published articles in SMH

• 8 Workshops in 7 NSW Correctional Centres have facilitated the program

• Continued rollout of the program amongst numerous Correctional Centres in NSW, some Centres have facilitated the program on 3

occasions

• Included in the Sydney Writers Festival program 2011-2013

• Regular segment in the CRC Community Radio production 2SERFM

• Presented at the Australian Correctional Education Annual Conference 2013

Most importantly:

Hundreds of completed poetry pieces which have inspired and strengthened the resolve of offenders to capitalise on their learning opportunities,

whilst incarcerated.

Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.

Lou Holtz.

Strategies…

The only lifelong, reliable motivations are those that come from within, and one of the strongest of those is the joy and pride that grow from knowing that you've just done something as well as you can do it.

L.Dobyns and C.Crawford-Mason.

When the Pen Hits the Paper by Amy

When the pen hits paper

When the words start to pass

When the poetry starts to happen

The day will slowly begin

Lustrous by C.L. Waller

When the soul soars

            the flowers will open

 

and explosions of life

will whisper their secrets

by C.L. Waller 

Cracks by Leander

The cracks on the bricks,

the dirty old street

the cold winters air

the road at our feet

I stand safe and sound

with the man of my dreams

forget what’s around

think of beautiful streams

think of leather and lace

our hearts side by side

a light sits above

he’s the groom I’m the bride

Darling by Leander

Darling that thought of our first meeting

underneath the vast night sky,

our shoulders brushed,

fireworks

shooting stars

explosion of light inside us both

pulling us together

magnetically

then

now and

tomorrow.

Thank you!!

Poetry Booklets available