Writer in Residence

Between 1992 and 2000 I was a Writer in Residence in several prisons. I felt privileged and humbled by a lot of the people I met, enjoying their enthusiasm for writing and for the workshops I facilitated. My brief was to encourage writing throughout the prison population, by both the confined population and the people who wore bunches of keys that swung from some hips like trophies. The last line is not meant to undermine the work and kindness shown by the majority of prison staff.

I worked with a group of 'Lifers' at Horfield men's prison in Bristol,  to produce a play. The play was a really successful project, helped greatly by Marina Sossi who shaped and directed it.  My second residency, this time shared with Marina, was at HMP Eastwood Park womens' prison where we produced both a CD of original music - 'Falling Angels' - and a compilation of new writing by inmates called 'Being a Good Woman's Not Easy'. Marina and I also worked together, sharing another residency, at HMP Shepton Mallet.

The compilation of writing at Eastwood Park included introductions by Fay Weldon and Sue Townsend. During this residency we invited a number of authors to visit the prisons and to speak with inmates. Both Fay and Sue were welcomed as guest speakers as was Irvine Welsh.

Listen to 'Spiritual Sunstroke' from
the Falling Angels CD

Some writing, on the inside, was every bit as good in quality as that from published writers on the outside, Insightful, humorous and intellectual. I hope I was able to encourage some to take their writing further.

I met a lot of marvellous people, some who you knew would turn their lives around once freedom came and others who you felt were stuck in a groove and had more lessons to learn. Learning and growing was never, for a single moment, a one-way ticket.

You can purchase copies of the Book and CD by contacting Jill via the Contact link above.