inside stories
“To have a story, a poem or a song written for you, inspired by you, even about you, is one of the greatest gifts a child can receive. Every child hopes that they are special, and when the children of the young men who wrote these stories – children separated from their fathers by prison – see their names, they will know for certain that they are.”
esther freud, author and create patron
the project
Inside Stories is our multi-award winning project, which uses storytelling and music to improve the bond between prisoners and their children. Guided by our professional artists, prisoners work in pairs to write, record and illustrate original stories inspired by their own families. They then work as a group to set these to music before performing them to their children during a special family visit.
Inside Stories helps to improve communication, giving prisoners new creative tools with which to interact with their children during family visits and on release. It enables them to develop new skills that can help towards employment on release, enhancing connectivity and wellbeing.

the need
“EVIDENCE THAT THE LIKELIHOOD OF REOFFENDING IS REDUCED THROUGH PRISONER INVOLVEMENT IN ART, DRAMA AND MUSIC IS STRONG.”
Erwin JAMES, EX-PRISONER, JOURNALIST AND CREATE PATRON
Ministry of Justice research suggests that maintaining family ties can reduce the likelihood of reoffending by 39%.
Finding ways for prisoners to interact positively with their children is integral to the development and wellbeing of both the prisoner and their children.
our impact
0%
OF PRISONERS ENHANCED THEIR CREATIVITY
0%
OF PRISONERS IMPROVED THEIR TEAMWORK SKILLS