Inside Stories is our creative writing and illustration project for prison inmates. In January 2013, over a two-week period, Create’s professional writer and visual artist helped 16 fathers to write, record and illustrate original stories for their children. Here, Luke, who is currently serving a seven years sentence, talks about his experience. (This piece is from 2013.)

“I decided to do Inside Stories because I thought it would be good for my kids. It’s something personal, and when I did Storybook Dads they loved it. And with this they get to read it and listen to it. I was really pleased and excited when they told me I would be taking part in the project – I’ve never thought to sit and write a book for my kids before! I did art at school, but it’s been a while.

“My story is about a dragon that wakes from his sleep and can smell cakes and sweets. He can hear two princesses having a party, and as he is hungry he decides to go and eat everybody! When he arrives he is met by the 12-legged DJ spider that he is petrified of, so the partying princesses intervene. They all become friends and they eat lots of sweets and party into the night until they fall asleep under the twinkling stars.

“My partner on the project has two daughters so wanted to write about two princesses, and I thought I’d do something slightly different for my children and make them animals instead! Inside Stories has taught me that when you write children’s stories you don’t have to stick to the norm. They can be made to appear differently to what they would normally be perceived as. And for kids you don’t have to cram too much in – you can make the artwork detailed to tell the story.

“Carol [Create’s professional writer] did well in showing us how to break down our stories, to get your idea on paper and edit it down. Getting the initial ideas and developing them into a short story was quite good but probably the hardest part of it. The collage works quite well with the colours. It’s really interesting how you can make that work as opposed to drawing it freehand. The best thing about the project will be when you get your book and give it to your kids so they can take it and read and listen to it. I’m close to my kids anyway and I already read to them. They’ll definitely look at me differently. You’re doing it for them. They’ll love it!

“Projects like Inside Stories are very important in prisons. They create a bridge between you being in here and them being outside. They can read the book over and over again. For some people, it’s good to develop their confidence. I am a peer advisor here, so I tell people what’s on offer. I just tell people to give it a go. From now on, having actually done this project, I can give them more of an insight. I show them the previous books and they can’t believe they will be able to write a story, but I tell them they can!”

To protect anonymity, the name in the case study has been changed. This piece is from 2013.

Inside Stories is Create’s creative writing and illustration project for 18 to 21-year-old prison inmates. Over a two-week period, Create’s professional writer and visual artist worked with young fathers, or those with younger siblings and/or family members to create, record and illustrate storybooks for children.

Charles (aged 19), took part in the project in August 2010. He has two daughters, Janine (aged 6 years) and Leila (aged 1 week). Here, he talks about the impact of the project.

“I decided to do Inside Stories because of my daughters and how much they mean to me. I wanted to tell them how much I love them. When I was told I could do the project, I was really happy because I got this chance to write a story for my little ones.

“I’ve never done writing before. I have done some art, but never anything very good. There’s a picture in my cell that I’ve done, of two elephants and a tree.

Inside Stories has taught me that you don’t need to be an artist to write a book.

Charles

“My poem is called ‘When Harry Meets Tommy’ and is about two characters who are both lonely. They meet and have crazy adventures. It’s inspired by my oldest daughter – she likes teddy bears and princess crowns and Bratz dolls.

“Create’s writer and artist pushed me to draw better and to write proper poems, and I did it! I tried my best to do the best I could do. The best things about the project was the artwork, getting glue everywhere and really hands-on; Cutting out pieces and turning them into flowers, grass, butterflies! The atmosphere was wicked. It made me so happy putting everything together for my kids. I did it all for them. Inside Stories has taught me that you don’t need to be an artist to write a book. You can use objects (toys, furniture) to inspire you. It has taught me confidence, to speak out loud in front of people, and about teamwork. I got to know the people I worked with, and they told me about their kids and how much they mean to them, same as me.

“When I get out, I’ll definitely help my kids more with their homework. I’ll help them write books when they’re older, I’ll stick things and draw for them. We’ll have loads of fun!

“I think projects like this are really important in prison. They’re not too hard, but also not too easy, and give people a good report. It’s good for the kids, too. We are doing something for them and thinking about them, so they know how much they mean to us. Inside Stories should be longer. There could be courses in prison where people pick up objects and start writing – they could even do that in their cells! More courses in prison should be for the children. If I could, I’d do it again.”

Charles was due to be released the day after Inside Stories ended, after a nine-month sentence.

To protect anonymity, the names in the case study have been changed.

This case study is from 2010.