Community Arts Projects | Swaleside

Swaleside Mural

The Pathways Service opening in 2014 on a wing in Swaleside HMP was the Uk’s pilot scheme of PIPE, a Psychologically Informed Planned Environment. Designed for men at high risk of re-offending with emotional, relationship and behavioural difficulties, often preventing sentence plans being completed.

Pathways’ commitment to creating positive and effective social environments, was enhanced by weekly therapeutic Mural designing workshop, designed by CAP’S founder Chris Millin.

These sessions always included informal conversation steered to encourage positiveexpressions out of not so positive circumstances. Diverse communities often need adiverse approach towards art and its participants whilst remaining inclusive. Drawing from a background knowledge of graffiti and urban street-art forms these foundationalgroups successfully engaged many types of personalities with many positive results.

One participant, who had never given himself to art before and was diagnosis was severe, joined the groups for a short time. After many weeks of staying in his cell, a member of staff paid him a visit only to find a grotto of over 50 pieces of art, 2 of which won awards with the Koestler Award scheme. He was recorded to have said that nothing helped him more than just being set free to do art. He progressed to an outside unit where his main occupation was his art.

The Swaleside Therapy in Mural’s project started with a group discussion with staff and prisoners, to explore what people wanted to see. Ideas were hatched and recorded and plans began to fill the ‘L’ shaped room, including the floor and ceiling. Week by week, more ideas were added and the plan expanded. Then, at the end of the first month, some of the men started transposing ideas onto the wall, whilst others continued planning the designs they had thought of. Most agreed that they wanted to give the illusion of more space. Many books and print offs were brought to the table for inspiration, from animals, wildlife and planets, to trompe l’oiel and fantasy, to Banksy and graffiti-art styles.

Staff also contributed to creating the mural as the collaboration fostered a sense of community on the wing. This therapeutic mural project began in the early stages of the PIPE service, and played a key role in the development of a therapeutic and mutually supportive culture within the service.

This project was endorsed by Pamela Attwell who was the head of psychology in it’s running.

The first ideas became a center-piece for the whole room, a tree which grows in the farthest corner and extends across two walls and half of the ceiling. Characterising the whole collaboration it’s many and individual leaves have been attended to by as many participants (well nearly). This first tri-section of the mural (ceiling included) took the best part of a year to complete.

Participant

Comments

The ‘spacious’ feeling room brings a unique benefit all who use it. For those who
have been involved, there will be a special sense of ownership and a quiet
confidence that comes with others appreciation of the works.

“It’s relaxing and interesting and helps me to be motivated. It’s good to be part of a
social activity and to be working with others.

It’s good and I enjoy it. Keeps my mind occupied and gives me a sense of achievement.