Museums working with prisoners can make a difference to their lives, according to speakers at Unlocking the Past, a session at the Museums Association's 2012 conference.
“The question that comes up time and time again, is ‘why should museums be working with prisoners when there are so many groups out there that need support’,” said Claire Coia, Open Museum curator at Glasgow Life.
“There are benefits from a rehabilitation point of view. It’s not just about playing a part in individuals’ lives but also the communities they will return to.”
Carlotta Goulden-Allum, director of the charity Stretch, said work with prisoners can raise self-esteem, teach new skills and promote group communication.
Discussing the challenges of prison work, Rachel Forster, whose PhD at the University of Leeds included a 12-week project with sex offenders at HMP Wakefield, listed barriers such as prison hierarchy and cynicism from participants.
But she said handling sessions helped prisoners talk to each other and build emotional connections to objects.
“One prisoner came up with the idea that objects in museums and prisoners have a lot in common,” Forster said. “Neither is in their original context and both are trying to prove their value and worth.”
But she said handling sessions helped prisoners talk to each other and build emotional connections to objects.
“One prisoner came up with the idea that objects in museums and prisoners have a lot in common,” Forster said. “Neither is in their original context and both are trying to prove their value and worth.”
