Pentonville Research.
This is the methodology that I chose to carry out at Pentonville Prison and the way I contacted the director of the program and prison’s managers to obtain permission to conduct my investigation. This research examines ways in which Drawing was used as a social tool to prove that it can create a positive social identity in prisons. My investigation was carried out at HM Prison Pentonville to validate that Art can act as a social construct. My results demonstrate that Art is a powerful tool that can create or direct people’s lives inside institutions in a positive way. I percieve it as a way of recalling my models since I feel indebted to the prisoners for allowing me to draw them. I needed to familiarize myself with ethics about how best to carry out my research. It is important to mention certain considerations such as data protection, that is why all interviews are anonymous and I also decided to inform the prisoners that their information was only for academic purposes and that I will share it with my peers and professors.
Part of the investigation was related to the stigmatize person and how to develop a positive identity through Drawing because the prisoners are stigmatized people who need protection and different considerations when dealing with them. Protecting their identities, their interests, and creating knowledge without hurting them was a hard task. Thus, in consideration of these ideas, my work seeks to create a non- invasive way to approach my models in order to make portraits. I realized that Felt stigma was something that terrified my models, but Drawing was a way to overcome it and create a sense of identity.
Letter
Dr. Bruce Wall,
I am happy to contact you again, I hope that everything is going very well at Pentonville Prison.
As part of my MA Drawing Research “Drawing as a sociological approach”, I would like to choose HM Prison Pentonville as an important part of my ongoing artistic investigation. I have already mentioned to you my experiences and how important London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project is for the prisoners.
I take this opportunity to ask you if it is possible to do a deeper investigation with your permission and with the permission of those who are involved. In order to obtain a more accurate analysis that is fundamental for me to explore and keep researching inside your institution.
I am writing to you to know what the limits are and see if it is possible through other permissions to go beyond prison’s standards and protocols for my specific project.
My research has a practical part where Portraiture has a key role. Therefore, I would like to know if I can take pictures inside the prison. The photographs would be used as references to make highly realistic portraits. The photograph enables the portrait and is a resource that I use constantly. I would like to know if it is possible to do interviews in order to obtain extra information from the individuals that I am making a portrait of. I had experience in Peru working in different institutions, where patients' confidentiality was respected.
My approach would be very professional. I know that this part of obtaining permissions is important to safeguard both the inmates in your care and myself coming into the prison environment.
If I can obtain these permits, the results will be handled for academic purposes. I would undertake to take advice on how you would want the prison acknowledged in this work and how the identity of those I have contact with, would be protected. This is a group of individuals that have had many rights denied them as part of their punishment and I want to make sure how I behave at all times is in a way that is ethically responsible.
Thanks for your time
Juan Carlos
Analysis and my first and second visit to HM Pentonville prison.
After studying the UAL ethic guidelines, stigma, and real cases which help me to adopt certain methodologies to my own investigation, I decided to send the final version of my letter to Dr. Bruce Wall and Jose Aguiar (both of them are in charge of the Shakespeare Program). Amalia Pica’s research and her installations in Clinics were necessary for me to familiarize myself with how to relate to stigmatized persons.
I was insecure when I went to Pentonville Prison for the first time. It took me a while to adapt and feel confident with the inmates, but I noticed that it was not because of them. It was because of the building itself. I must say that I’ve never been in a place like that before. In Peru, I used to conduct fieldworks in retirement homes, but this is my first time in a prison and I must say that the atmosphere was completely different. I needed a strategy to relax and enjoy my time with the prisoners. So first I decided to just listen and observe. They made me feel more confident about my skills since I decided to show them my sketchbook. It was a great collaboration.
My second visit was completely different since I already knew all the inmates who were part of the program and I also was familiarized with London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project. The Prison’s project seeks to gather artists whose are currently practicing diverse disciplines. Among them, we find actors, artists, musicians, and prisoners. I proceeded to go to the prison after Bruce Wall, the Director of the Shakespeare Program accepted my second request. I arrived at 8 a.m. and I was waiting for the rest of the actors to come. After they arrived, we enter the gatehouse as a group. We were in a queue which included solicitors and various authorities. When it was our turn to go to the window, we showed our passports and said our names to the guard at the reception area. We were given a visitor’s badge and we were told that it was mandatory for us to keep it safe and wear it all times since prisoners could use it to escape prison.
We were another spectator since we try to adapt Pica’s strategies. In due time we were participating in various activities. For me, it was a big advance in my research since I was welcomed by them. As the hours passed, the prisoners felt more comfortable with my presence and watched with enthusiasm my work.
The prisoners tried to integrate me once again to their group, so it was really easy to draw. The surprises that I received while I was working with them are really valuable for this research. I was able to see that the prisoners were truly committed to their work. They really wanted to be the character they played. I appreciated a lot of talent, commitment, professionalism, and above all a friendly environment. Now, I am sure that this experience will allow me to develop both my conceptual and artistic work in unexpected ways.
The prisoners told us about their relationship with Art. Outside the prison, it practically did not exist, but inside they began to admire it since they saw in it a form of liberation and a way of connecting with the outside world. After talking to them, I can say with certainty that they saw in Art a transforming experience and it also became part of their lives.
At the end of the day, the prisoners, along with the executive director decided to invite me again. I am sure that this is not the end of my research, my experiences with them will be more extensive and my discoveries will be even more precise.
Questions for Bruce and Jose.
1.Have you perceived a before and after in prisoner’s lives thanks to London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project?
2.Do you feel that London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project will continue to influence the lives of this people after their time in prison?
3.What does London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project mean to you?
Do you believe that London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project is an important part to develop a sense of identity and improve the behavior of these people?
4.Do you feel that the Drawings we make help to represent this sense of identity?
5.Comments:
Questions for prisoners:
1. Did you have any contact or experience with Art before being in prison?
2. Tell us about your thoughts related to London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project.
3. During rehearsals, normally you interact with different artists. Please, let us know if this was an important part of your experience and explain why.
4. Do you feel that the sketches we do help not only to represent a moment but also to establish a sense of community/identity?
5.Comments:
Analysis.
All questions for the staff and prisoners were formulated after studying the UAL ethics guidelines, ethics, stigma, and cases related to Art as a social tool. After my first visit, I needed certain considerations to protect my model's identities. I also needed to be really sensitive with my approach. The hardest part was to formulate questions that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. I am sure that the final version of my questionnaire is what I was looking for since they are not self-directed questions. The first two are related to their previous experience and if they were familiarized with Art and also if they found that the program was successful in a certain way. This helped me to know more about the background of the prisoners. The last two explore the program with a sociological approach. It was important for me to see if they are experiencing a sense of community. I included also Comments, that was valuable for the prisoners who wanted to go beyond the questionnaire.
Email to Jose Aguiar
From: Juan Carlos Sanchez Sabogal
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2018 12:20 PM
To: Juan Carlos Sanchez Sabogal
Subject: RE: IMPORTANT RESEARCH
Dear Jose,
I’m really happy to contact you again. As I told you before I am making a research here in London related to prisons. I have chosen Pentonville prison since London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project is a really successful program. Could you help me with this questionnaire? I want you to verify that everything is in order first.
Hope to see you soon.
Juan Carlos
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
Reply from Jose Aguiar
Olá Juan.
Very happy to help. It sounds like an interesting research. We can discuss this further. We can take it forward without any specific permission, if there are no photos and prisoners are not identified by their name. You could use only first names. Also you could use drawings of prisoners instead of photos. If we need to go through the formal process, it will take ages.
Speak soon
All the best
José
Sent from my iPhone
Jose forgot to answer the questionnaire, so I decided to send him another email.
On 10 May 2018, at 12:02, Juan Carlos Sánchez Sabogal <xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dear Jose,
How’s everything going? Let me ask you for a small favor. Can you complete the small questionnaire that I sent you in my last email? Its really important for my research.
Thanks for your time
Juan
Reply from Jose Aguiar
Hi Juan.
Sorry, it has been extremely busy.
I’ll get it done this weekend.
All the best
José
Sent from my iPhone
Analysis.
Jose Aguiar appeared to be really enthusiastic in his first emails. However, he never replied me after I sent him another email about the questionnaire that he forgot to answer. I was really disappointed because he was always in almost all the sessions that I attended to Pentonville Prison. But I must say in my defense that this is part of the investigation sometime sit can be positive, sometimes it is not. I included it since I wanted to have a deeper analysis.
Email to Bruce Wall
From: Juan Carlos Sanchez Sabogal
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2018 12:17 PM
To: Juan Carlos Sanchez Sabogal
Subject: RE: IMPORTANT RESEARCH
Dear Bruce,
I’m really happy to contact you again. As I told you before I am making a research here in London related to prisons. I have chosen Pentonville prison since London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project is a really successful program. Could you help me with this questionnaire? I want you to verify that everything is in order first.
I am sending you in this email a letter.
Hope to see you soon.
Juan Carlos
Reply from Bruce Wall
Dear Juan Carlos,
Lovely to hear from you.
I will attempt to answer your questions. You may remember XXXX- he is now out and you could certainly touch base with him. I'm sure he would love to be drawn and photographed and would give you much information for your project. Please let me know if you would like for me to put you in touch with him.
Answers to the questionnaire
1. Have you perceived a before and after in prisoner’s lives thanks to London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project?
I think it is perhaps best to concentrate on the prisoner inside as this is where - from a practical perspective - you have contact. After release there are just so many elements and EVERYONE's lives from a practical perspective are much more chaotic (ironically) given standard day to day pressures.
2. Do you feel that London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project will continue to influence the lives of this people after their time in prison?
How can it not? The skills involved are vitally important to everyday existence.
3. What does London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project mean to you?
Fulfillment of its stated purpose. If the Charity is doing that it is fulfilling its goal.
4. Do you believe that London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project is an important part to develop a sense of identity and improve the behavior of these people?
I believe it can be. It is - as in the stated purpose - A TOOL. Nothing more; nothing less. Like any kind of education - especially in an interactive format - you get out what you put in ... but then you well know that from your own studies, Juan Carlos.
5. Do you feel that the Drawings we make help to represent this sense of identity?
Absolutely. The drawings represent a different voice - a different pathway towards meaningful engagement.
As long as the conversation is going on ... there is hope.
HOPE THIS HELPS, JUAN CARLOS. LET ME KNOW.
Cheers for now,
Bruce
Dr. Bruce Wall
Executive Director
London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project
Analysis.
I am really happy with Dr. Bruce Wall’s collaboration since he gave me all the permits and make it easier for me to interact with the prisoners. Dr. Wall was really interested in my drawings and research and he gave valuable information for my Essay and also for my research. His answers to the questionnaire are precise and he is confident about the achievements of London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project.
Email to ex-prisoner
On 1 May 2018 22:07, "Juan Carlos Sánchez Sabogal" <xxxxxxxxxx> wrote
Dear XXXX,
My name is Juan Carlos, one of the artists who used to attend to London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project. I must say that the program is really important for me and Bruce mentioned your name many times because you were one of the most talented guys.
I would love to include you in my research “Drawing as a sociological tool”. First, I will need you to answer some questions for me and after that (if you don’t mind) we can meet. My idea is to use photos as a reference in order to make you a portrait. I would be delighted to share more information about my project with you. However, I think that it’s necessary for us to meet first. Please let me know if you are interested and if you are willing to participate. Is it possible to meet before next Wednesday? Give me more details of where you would like to meet, Etc.
Kind regards,
Juan Carlos
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
Reply from ex-prisoner
From: XXXX
Sent: Thursday, May 3, 2018 4:58 PM
To: Juan Carlos Sánchez Sabogal
Subject: Re: Important research Pentonville- Drawing
Ä'ŸÖò Juan we can meet up wherever you like my friend. Just email me 3days beforehand innit Yo.
I look forward to hearing from you soon. Take care XXXX.
After his email
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for you for your message and for getting back to me so speedily. I’m glad that you are interested in this research. How does Wednesday 9th sound for you? It would be interesting if you choose the place. Let me know if you have any ideas. I also want you to choose the title of my portrait because after taking that picture I’ll make a drawing using photos as a reference.
Kind regards,
Juan
Questions for prisoners:
1.Did you have any contact or experience with Art before being in prison?
No. I discovered Art at Pentonville.
2.Tell us about your thoughts related to London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project.
Every day is harder than the last one here. woke me up. For the first time, I was not thinking about my personal interests.
3.During rehearsals, normally you interact with different artists. Please, let us know if this was an important part of your experience and explain why.
Currently, I am building my own character. I will need it after my release. Thanks to London Shakespeare Workout I am no longer a prisoner.
4.Do you feel that the sketches we do help not only to represent a moment but also to establish a sense of community/identity?
This program reinvigorates me because it deals with community, working with different artists gave me a sense of relief and it is helping me to be part of society again.
5.Comments: ---------------------------------------------------
Analysis.
Overall the answers to London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project and Drawing were really similar. The development of a sense of identity is a long-term plan, but we can perceive that the emotions and feeling are real. Drawing is making a change in the life of the prisoners. For them, it is a new engagement, a new way to face reality. It is not about forgetting who they are, is about accepting themselves and creating a bridge with the outside world that is waiting for them. It is also improving their quality of life, it helps them with tension, depression, and it gives them a sense of identity.
Bruce Wall contacted me again this week
Dear Juan Carlos,
We have decided to not do the next LSW/LUP Tranche in Pentonville until September as certain operational conditions were really not secure. In fact I think two a year will be optimum; September through end November/early December and February through the beginning of May as they will tie in with the academic schedules better and - short of Easter - miss out major holidays (i.e., Xmas and staff summer vacations).
Cheers for now,
Bruce
Dr. Bruce Wall
Executive Director
London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project
Analysis.
After reading this email I was devastated since my idea of a big research was turned to pieces. I found out that prisoners escaped last year and it was not safe for me to keep conducting my research since Pentonville was rated ‘poor’ for safety this week.
Bibliography
The Illustrated London News (1842) Pentonville Prison. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM_Prison_Pentonville#/media/File:Pentonville_Prison_ILN_1842.jpg
(Accessed: 15 May 2018)
Jebb, J (1844) An isometric drawing of Pentonville prison, Royal Engineers.
(Accessed: 15 May 2018)
Getty Images (?)HM Pentonville Prison, interior. Available at: http://www.cityam.com/253097/two-prisoners-escape-pentonville-prison-north-london
(Accessed: 15 May 2018)
Barber, Luke (2017) Oscar Wilson (left) and Dr. Bruce Wall (right). Available at: https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/shakespeare-workshops-prison/
(Accessed: 15 May 2018)
This is the methodology that I chose to carry out at Pentonville Prison and the way I contacted the director of the program and prison’s managers to obtain permission to conduct my investigation. This research examines ways in which Drawing was used as a social tool to prove that it can create a positive social identity in prisons. My investigation was carried out at HM Prison Pentonville to validate that Art can act as a social construct. My results demonstrate that Art is a powerful tool that can create or direct people’s lives inside institutions in a positive way. I percieve it as a way of recalling my models since I feel indebted to the prisoners for allowing me to draw them. I needed to familiarize myself with ethics about how best to carry out my research. It is important to mention certain considerations such as data protection, that is why all interviews are anonymous and I also decided to inform the prisoners that their information was only for academic purposes and that I will share it with my peers and professors.
Part of the investigation was related to the stigmatize person and how to develop a positive identity through Drawing because the prisoners are stigmatized people who need protection and different considerations when dealing with them. Protecting their identities, their interests, and creating knowledge without hurting them was a hard task. Thus, in consideration of these ideas, my work seeks to create a non- invasive way to approach my models in order to make portraits. I realized that Felt stigma was something that terrified my models, but Drawing was a way to overcome it and create a sense of identity.
Letter
Dr. Bruce Wall,
I am happy to contact you again, I hope that everything is going very well at Pentonville Prison.
As part of my MA Drawing Research “Drawing as a sociological approach”, I would like to choose HM Prison Pentonville as an important part of my ongoing artistic investigation. I have already mentioned to you my experiences and how important London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project is for the prisoners.
I take this opportunity to ask you if it is possible to do a deeper investigation with your permission and with the permission of those who are involved. In order to obtain a more accurate analysis that is fundamental for me to explore and keep researching inside your institution.
I am writing to you to know what the limits are and see if it is possible through other permissions to go beyond prison’s standards and protocols for my specific project.
My research has a practical part where Portraiture has a key role. Therefore, I would like to know if I can take pictures inside the prison. The photographs would be used as references to make highly realistic portraits. The photograph enables the portrait and is a resource that I use constantly. I would like to know if it is possible to do interviews in order to obtain extra information from the individuals that I am making a portrait of. I had experience in Peru working in different institutions, where patients' confidentiality was respected.
My approach would be very professional. I know that this part of obtaining permissions is important to safeguard both the inmates in your care and myself coming into the prison environment.
If I can obtain these permits, the results will be handled for academic purposes. I would undertake to take advice on how you would want the prison acknowledged in this work and how the identity of those I have contact with, would be protected. This is a group of individuals that have had many rights denied them as part of their punishment and I want to make sure how I behave at all times is in a way that is ethically responsible.
Thanks for your time
Juan Carlos
Analysis and my first and second visit to HM Pentonville prison.
After studying the UAL ethic guidelines, stigma, and real cases which help me to adopt certain methodologies to my own investigation, I decided to send the final version of my letter to Dr. Bruce Wall and Jose Aguiar (both of them are in charge of the Shakespeare Program). Amalia Pica’s research and her installations in Clinics were necessary for me to familiarize myself with how to relate to stigmatized persons.
I was insecure when I went to Pentonville Prison for the first time. It took me a while to adapt and feel confident with the inmates, but I noticed that it was not because of them. It was because of the building itself. I must say that I’ve never been in a place like that before. In Peru, I used to conduct fieldworks in retirement homes, but this is my first time in a prison and I must say that the atmosphere was completely different. I needed a strategy to relax and enjoy my time with the prisoners. So first I decided to just listen and observe. They made me feel more confident about my skills since I decided to show them my sketchbook. It was a great collaboration.
My second visit was completely different since I already knew all the inmates who were part of the program and I also was familiarized with London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project. The Prison’s project seeks to gather artists whose are currently practicing diverse disciplines. Among them, we find actors, artists, musicians, and prisoners. I proceeded to go to the prison after Bruce Wall, the Director of the Shakespeare Program accepted my second request. I arrived at 8 a.m. and I was waiting for the rest of the actors to come. After they arrived, we enter the gatehouse as a group. We were in a queue which included solicitors and various authorities. When it was our turn to go to the window, we showed our passports and said our names to the guard at the reception area. We were given a visitor’s badge and we were told that it was mandatory for us to keep it safe and wear it all times since prisoners could use it to escape prison.
We were another spectator since we try to adapt Pica’s strategies. In due time we were participating in various activities. For me, it was a big advance in my research since I was welcomed by them. As the hours passed, the prisoners felt more comfortable with my presence and watched with enthusiasm my work.
The prisoners tried to integrate me once again to their group, so it was really easy to draw. The surprises that I received while I was working with them are really valuable for this research. I was able to see that the prisoners were truly committed to their work. They really wanted to be the character they played. I appreciated a lot of talent, commitment, professionalism, and above all a friendly environment. Now, I am sure that this experience will allow me to develop both my conceptual and artistic work in unexpected ways.
The prisoners told us about their relationship with Art. Outside the prison, it practically did not exist, but inside they began to admire it since they saw in it a form of liberation and a way of connecting with the outside world. After talking to them, I can say with certainty that they saw in Art a transforming experience and it also became part of their lives.
At the end of the day, the prisoners, along with the executive director decided to invite me again. I am sure that this is not the end of my research, my experiences with them will be more extensive and my discoveries will be even more precise.
Questions for Bruce and Jose.
1.Have you perceived a before and after in prisoner’s lives thanks to London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project?
2.Do you feel that London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project will continue to influence the lives of this people after their time in prison?
3.What does London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project mean to you?
Do you believe that London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project is an important part to develop a sense of identity and improve the behavior of these people?
4.Do you feel that the Drawings we make help to represent this sense of identity?
5.Comments:
Questions for prisoners:
1. Did you have any contact or experience with Art before being in prison?
2. Tell us about your thoughts related to London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project.
3. During rehearsals, normally you interact with different artists. Please, let us know if this was an important part of your experience and explain why.
4. Do you feel that the sketches we do help not only to represent a moment but also to establish a sense of community/identity?
5.Comments:
Analysis.
All questions for the staff and prisoners were formulated after studying the UAL ethics guidelines, ethics, stigma, and cases related to Art as a social tool. After my first visit, I needed certain considerations to protect my model's identities. I also needed to be really sensitive with my approach. The hardest part was to formulate questions that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no. I am sure that the final version of my questionnaire is what I was looking for since they are not self-directed questions. The first two are related to their previous experience and if they were familiarized with Art and also if they found that the program was successful in a certain way. This helped me to know more about the background of the prisoners. The last two explore the program with a sociological approach. It was important for me to see if they are experiencing a sense of community. I included also Comments, that was valuable for the prisoners who wanted to go beyond the questionnaire.
Email to Jose Aguiar
From: Juan Carlos Sanchez Sabogal
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2018 12:20 PM
To: Juan Carlos Sanchez Sabogal
Subject: RE: IMPORTANT RESEARCH
Dear Jose,
I’m really happy to contact you again. As I told you before I am making a research here in London related to prisons. I have chosen Pentonville prison since London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project is a really successful program. Could you help me with this questionnaire? I want you to verify that everything is in order first.
Hope to see you soon.
Juan Carlos
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
Reply from Jose Aguiar
Olá Juan.
Very happy to help. It sounds like an interesting research. We can discuss this further. We can take it forward without any specific permission, if there are no photos and prisoners are not identified by their name. You could use only first names. Also you could use drawings of prisoners instead of photos. If we need to go through the formal process, it will take ages.
Speak soon
All the best
José
Sent from my iPhone
Jose forgot to answer the questionnaire, so I decided to send him another email.
On 10 May 2018, at 12:02, Juan Carlos Sánchez Sabogal <xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Dear Jose,
How’s everything going? Let me ask you for a small favor. Can you complete the small questionnaire that I sent you in my last email? Its really important for my research.
Thanks for your time
Juan
Reply from Jose Aguiar
Hi Juan.
Sorry, it has been extremely busy.
I’ll get it done this weekend.
All the best
José
Sent from my iPhone
Analysis.
Jose Aguiar appeared to be really enthusiastic in his first emails. However, he never replied me after I sent him another email about the questionnaire that he forgot to answer. I was really disappointed because he was always in almost all the sessions that I attended to Pentonville Prison. But I must say in my defense that this is part of the investigation sometime sit can be positive, sometimes it is not. I included it since I wanted to have a deeper analysis.
Email to Bruce Wall
From: Juan Carlos Sanchez Sabogal
Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2018 12:17 PM
To: Juan Carlos Sanchez Sabogal
Subject: RE: IMPORTANT RESEARCH
Dear Bruce,
I’m really happy to contact you again. As I told you before I am making a research here in London related to prisons. I have chosen Pentonville prison since London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project is a really successful program. Could you help me with this questionnaire? I want you to verify that everything is in order first.
I am sending you in this email a letter.
Hope to see you soon.
Juan Carlos
Reply from Bruce Wall
Dear Juan Carlos,
Lovely to hear from you.
I will attempt to answer your questions. You may remember XXXX- he is now out and you could certainly touch base with him. I'm sure he would love to be drawn and photographed and would give you much information for your project. Please let me know if you would like for me to put you in touch with him.
Answers to the questionnaire
1. Have you perceived a before and after in prisoner’s lives thanks to London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project?
I think it is perhaps best to concentrate on the prisoner inside as this is where - from a practical perspective - you have contact. After release there are just so many elements and EVERYONE's lives from a practical perspective are much more chaotic (ironically) given standard day to day pressures.
2. Do you feel that London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project will continue to influence the lives of this people after their time in prison?
How can it not? The skills involved are vitally important to everyday existence.
3. What does London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project mean to you?
Fulfillment of its stated purpose. If the Charity is doing that it is fulfilling its goal.
4. Do you believe that London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project is an important part to develop a sense of identity and improve the behavior of these people?
I believe it can be. It is - as in the stated purpose - A TOOL. Nothing more; nothing less. Like any kind of education - especially in an interactive format - you get out what you put in ... but then you well know that from your own studies, Juan Carlos.
5. Do you feel that the Drawings we make help to represent this sense of identity?
Absolutely. The drawings represent a different voice - a different pathway towards meaningful engagement.
As long as the conversation is going on ... there is hope.
HOPE THIS HELPS, JUAN CARLOS. LET ME KNOW.
Cheers for now,
Bruce
Dr. Bruce Wall
Executive Director
London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project
Analysis.
I am really happy with Dr. Bruce Wall’s collaboration since he gave me all the permits and make it easier for me to interact with the prisoners. Dr. Wall was really interested in my drawings and research and he gave valuable information for my Essay and also for my research. His answers to the questionnaire are precise and he is confident about the achievements of London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project.
Email to ex-prisoner
On 1 May 2018 22:07, "Juan Carlos Sánchez Sabogal" <xxxxxxxxxx> wrote
Dear XXXX,
My name is Juan Carlos, one of the artists who used to attend to London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project. I must say that the program is really important for me and Bruce mentioned your name many times because you were one of the most talented guys.
I would love to include you in my research “Drawing as a sociological tool”. First, I will need you to answer some questions for me and after that (if you don’t mind) we can meet. My idea is to use photos as a reference in order to make you a portrait. I would be delighted to share more information about my project with you. However, I think that it’s necessary for us to meet first. Please let me know if you are interested and if you are willing to participate. Is it possible to meet before next Wednesday? Give me more details of where you would like to meet, Etc.
Kind regards,
Juan Carlos
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
Reply from ex-prisoner
From: XXXX
Sent: Thursday, May 3, 2018 4:58 PM
To: Juan Carlos Sánchez Sabogal
Subject: Re: Important research Pentonville- Drawing
Ä'ŸÖò Juan we can meet up wherever you like my friend. Just email me 3days beforehand innit Yo.
I look forward to hearing from you soon. Take care XXXX.
After his email
Dear XXXX,
Thanks for you for your message and for getting back to me so speedily. I’m glad that you are interested in this research. How does Wednesday 9th sound for you? It would be interesting if you choose the place. Let me know if you have any ideas. I also want you to choose the title of my portrait because after taking that picture I’ll make a drawing using photos as a reference.
Kind regards,
Juan
Questions for prisoners:
1.Did you have any contact or experience with Art before being in prison?
No. I discovered Art at Pentonville.
2.Tell us about your thoughts related to London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project.
Every day is harder than the last one here. woke me up. For the first time, I was not thinking about my personal interests.
3.During rehearsals, normally you interact with different artists. Please, let us know if this was an important part of your experience and explain why.
Currently, I am building my own character. I will need it after my release. Thanks to London Shakespeare Workout I am no longer a prisoner.
4.Do you feel that the sketches we do help not only to represent a moment but also to establish a sense of community/identity?
This program reinvigorates me because it deals with community, working with different artists gave me a sense of relief and it is helping me to be part of society again.
5.Comments: ---------------------------------------------------
Analysis.
Overall the answers to London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project and Drawing were really similar. The development of a sense of identity is a long-term plan, but we can perceive that the emotions and feeling are real. Drawing is making a change in the life of the prisoners. For them, it is a new engagement, a new way to face reality. It is not about forgetting who they are, is about accepting themselves and creating a bridge with the outside world that is waiting for them. It is also improving their quality of life, it helps them with tension, depression, and it gives them a sense of identity.
Bruce Wall contacted me again this week
Dear Juan Carlos,
We have decided to not do the next LSW/LUP Tranche in Pentonville until September as certain operational conditions were really not secure. In fact I think two a year will be optimum; September through end November/early December and February through the beginning of May as they will tie in with the academic schedules better and - short of Easter - miss out major holidays (i.e., Xmas and staff summer vacations).
Cheers for now,
Bruce
Dr. Bruce Wall
Executive Director
London Shakespeare Workout / LSW Prison Project
Analysis.
After reading this email I was devastated since my idea of a big research was turned to pieces. I found out that prisoners escaped last year and it was not safe for me to keep conducting my research since Pentonville was rated ‘poor’ for safety this week.
Bibliography
The Illustrated London News (1842) Pentonville Prison. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM_Prison_Pentonville#/media/File:Pentonville_Prison_ILN_1842.jpg
(Accessed: 15 May 2018)
Jebb, J (1844) An isometric drawing of Pentonville prison, Royal Engineers.
(Accessed: 15 May 2018)
Getty Images (?)HM Pentonville Prison, interior. Available at: http://www.cityam.com/253097/two-prisoners-escape-pentonville-prison-north-london
(Accessed: 15 May 2018)
Barber, Luke (2017) Oscar Wilson (left) and Dr. Bruce Wall (right). Available at: https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/shakespeare-workshops-prison/
(Accessed: 15 May 2018)