Within the Criminal Justice System
BearFace Theatre works in prisons, YOI's and with probation services providing bespoke creative arts projects for men, women and young people affected by the criminal justice system (CJS).
Using a combination of applied arts, group members are invited to step out of their often complex lives and become part of a collective that begins to ask wider questions about personal and social narratives.
BearFace come with no script or specific themes to work from and the programme is tailor-made to the individual group needs. There is no expectation to 'perform' however there is the opportunity to share the process of the programme with others at the final Celebration Event.
This is a partnership project with Hampshire Cultural Trust. Click here for information about their Criminal Justice work.
HMP / YOI Winchester
Project
We have been working as part of the HMP/YOI Winchester community since 2018, running innovative and creative arts programmes with men and young offenders.
Hampshire and IOW Probation Services: Creating Change Programme
Project
We specialise in creatively amplifying the voices of men and women with lived experiences of the Criminal Justice System who are currently on probation.
HMP Send Women’s Prison Project
Project
In 2018 we worked with women from the PIPE unit at HMP Send and collaboratively developed a creative arts programme with the women and staff.
Participant quotes
"I’ve started to realise that there is a feeling of joy and pride when you challenge yourself."Group Member, HMP/YOI Winchester
"I came away from prison yesterday more uplifted than at any time in my nearly five years on the Independent Monitoring Board. What Jen and Kate managed to do in the short space of 2 hours was, in the literal sense, incredible. You turned a bunch of wary, cynical lads into enthusiastic team players.. And as for the end product - all I can say is "wow". Hard-hitting and really made me sit up and think"Audience Member, HMP/YOI Winchester
"Add quote here."Group Member, HMP/YOI Winchester
"Add quote here"Audience Member, HMP/YOI Winchester