Prison Theatre

The 13 chapters in this books are serious, thoughtful and varied. The particular problems of prison work are spelled out meticulously. The essays are not only useful for prison work. There are very generous outlines of processes which could be stimulating for other groups. -- New Life
This book has changed my life. Soon after I received it ... the University of Turin launched a scheme to begin offering courses in local prisons. They wanted someone to teach an English course. Stirred by the book, I showed interest - and was accepted ... The 13 chapters in the book are serious, thoughtful and varied. The particular problems of prison work are spelled out meticulously ... The essays in this book are not useful only for prison work. There are very generous outlines of processes which could be stimulating for other groups too ... I welcome the 'Forensic Focus' series. This, in particular, is a very stimulating and valuable book. Go easy with it. It may change your life. -- Dramatherapy
Prison Theatre... offers a variety of perspectives on a range of practical and theoretical approaches to the use of drama and theatre in prisons and probation. Although mostly about the criminal justice system in Britain the work undertaken in Brazilian prisons gives examples of working practices and a positive commitment to work in the arts in prisons that could be studied further in this country. Particularly interesting and useful are the four chapters which deal with the therapeutic and rehabilitative aspects of using drama and theatre in secure settings including the use of creative processes to examine the roots of offending behaviour and in building prisoners' confidence, self-esteem and communication skills. The practices described in this book challenge the 'deeply reactionary notion that punishment has any significant determining effect on crime' (p. 40). The preface to each section, by an American who is now serving a life sentence without the chance of parole, and the chapter by Joe White (an ex-offender, now a playwright and director) offer ample evidence of the powerful and positive effect of this kind of work. An over-arching focus within the whole publication is the overlap between work in drama and theatre and the links between therapy, education and rehabilitation. It is clear that a hybrid form of practice is being developed in this particular context which is worthy of further in-depth study. -- Speech & Drama