No Comment

Co-curated by Jeremy Deller & John Costi

1 November – 15 December 2024
Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre

Koestler Arts’ 17th annual exhibition of artwork from the criminal justice system returned to Southbank, featuring over 200 artworks entered into the 2024 Koestler Awards, from prisons, secure hospitals, secure children’s homes and immigration removal centres, as well as those on probation, community sentences and youth offending teams.

We invited Turner Prize winner Jeremy Deller and former prisoner-turned-artist John Costi to co-curate the exhibition. Both artists have a long-standing relationship with Koestler Arts: Deller has supported the charity as an Awards judge for over 15 years, giving prizes to, and writing feedback for, artworks entered into the programme; while Costi started as an award-winning entrant before becoming a mentee, scholar, member of staff, Awards judge and now curator.

Both Deller and Costi’s involvement with Koestler Arts and work in the criminal justice sector was reflected in the design of the exhibition. Visitors experienced artworks that focus on the realities of life in prison – some artworks touched upon the idea of experiencing a lack of voice and finding a way to overcome this in a challenging environment, mirroring the title of the exhibition, No Comment. Further into the space, a smaller section of artworks celebrated finding art and the role art classes and education can play, which Deller has contributed to over the years by giving workshops and talks in secure settings. Here, visitors could also read about Costi’s own experience of engaging in art programmes while in prison, and the impact this had on him. Finally, the largest section of the space was given to artworks that reflect the freedom of expression that comes with engaging with the arts, and celebrate the boundlessness of the imagination. Therefore, as you moved through the exhibition you followed a representative journey: from feeling restricted and voiceless to finding a sense of freedom beyond the environment through creativity; a journey Deller has seen and one that Costi has lived.

Deller and Costi also introduced a collaborative aspect to the exhibition, by inviting six guests to choose a selection of artworks to be on display among their own selections: Abbas Zahedi, Aindrea Emelife, Larry Achiampong, Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE, Jonny Banger and Zakia Sewell. As creatives with different roles in the art world, the guests brought in different viewpoints and choices of artworks to the exhibition. To celebrate their curatorial approach and their guests’ involvement, Deller and Costi asked Koestler Awards entrants to create portraits of each curator and guest involved. A selection of these portraits were on display in the entrance of the space.

Watch

Find out more about our co-curators, Jeremy Deller and John Costi, and their longstanding relationships with the charity in our exhibition film.

The film is also available to view in the exhibition space!

Watch here

Listen

Listen to the music and spoken word featured in this year’s exhibition, played through headphones in the exhibition space.

Age recommendation: 18+ (May contain language some people might find upsetting)

Listen here

Artwork for sale

Some artists with work on display in the exhibition chose to sell their work, which was available to purchase from our online shop.

There was also a selection of smaller artworks, merchandise and books for sale at the pop-up shop in the exhibition space.

Buy artwork!

‘No Comment’ in the Press

Explore some of the press coverage of our 2024 Southbank Centre exhibition on the links below

The Face Magazine: The exhibition showcasing prisoner-made art

Channel 4 News: Prison artist John Costi – from armed robbery to London gallery

It’s Nice That: “Art is a way of saying the unsayable”: Jeremy Deller and John Costi on curating an exhibition by people in prison

BBC Radio 6 Music: Nick Grimshaw sits in…with Jeremy Deller and Zakia Sewell

Gallery

View all the pieces featured in the exhibition

Portrait Challenge (Larry Achiampong)

HM Prison Garth, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE)

HM Prison The Verne, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Johnny Banger)

HM Prison Wayland, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Zakia Sewell)

HM Prison Whatton, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Larry Achiampong)

HM Prison Isle of Wight (Albany), 2024

Portrait Challenge (Abbas Zahedi)

HM Prison Downview, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Jeremy Deller)

Worthing Probation, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Zakia Sewell)

HM Prison Coldingley, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Abbas Zahedi)

HM Prison Greenock, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Aindrea Enelife)

Koestler Arts Mentoring Scheme, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE)

St Catherine’s Priory Approved Premises, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Abbas Zahedi)

HM Prison High Down, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Larry Achiampong)

HM Prison Long Lartin, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Jeremy Deller)

Guildford Probation, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Johnny Banger)

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Grampian, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Abbas Zahedi)

HM Prison Haverigg, 2024

Portrait Challenge (John Costi)

HM Prison Glenochil, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Zakia Sewell)

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Moorland, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE)

HM Prison Bronzefield, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Johnny Banger)

HM Prison Rye Hill, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Jeremy Deller)

HM Prison Littlehey, 2024

Portrait Challenge (John Costi)

HM Prison Northumberland, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Zakia Sewell)

HM Prison Full Sutton, 2024

Portrait Challenge (John Costi)

St Bernard’s Hospital, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Zakia Sewell)

HM Prison Maghaberry, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Johnny Banger)

HM Prison Frankland, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Larry Achiampong)

HM Prison Dumfries, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Jeremy Deller)

HM Prison Frankland, 2024

Portrait Challenge (John Costi)

HM Prison Glenochil, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Larry Achiampong)

HM Prison Frankland, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Johnny Banger)

HM Prison Risley, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE)

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Moorland, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Jeremy Deller)

HM Prison Glenochil, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Aindrea Enelife)

Koestler Arts Mentoring Scheme, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Johnny Banger)

HM Prison Bure, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE)

Lewisham Probation Office, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Abbas Zahedi)

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Parc, 2024

Portrait Challenge (John Costi)

HM Prison Bronzefield, 2024

Portrait Challenge (Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE)

HM Prison Long Lartin, 2024

Dragon’s Head

HM Prison Erlestoke, Highly Commended Award for Ceramics, 2024

Selected by Zakia Sewell

Take a Peek into Nature

HM Prison Wealstun, Craft, 2024

If Only!

HM Prison Wealstun, The Frederick and Freda Davies Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024

Selected by Zakia Sewell

Undersea World

HM Prison Dovegate, Daisy Jellicoe Outstanding Debut Award for Perseverance in Ceramics, 2024

Prison is Despair

HM Prison Downview, Edmund Paton Walsh European Unity Commended Award for Sculpture, 2024

Collage of Drawings

HM Prison Isle of Wight (Albany), Drawing, 2024

The Lady Behind Bars

HM Prison Peterborough, Berwick Silver Award for Drawing, 2024

Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE

Flowers in Bloom

HM Young Offender Centre Hydebank Wood, Painting, 2024

The Prison Tube

HM Prison Peterborough, Sodexo Justice Services Commended Award for Themed Category: From Now On, 2024

Selected by Jonny Banger

Everything’s Peachy

HM Young Offender Centre Hydebank Wood, Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024

Selected by Zakia Sewell

Meadow’s Keep

HM Prison Edinburgh, Pastel, 2024

Selected by Zakia Sewell

Celtic Shield

HM Prison Maghaberry, Commended Award for Sculpture, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

Coat of Cards

HM Prison Brixton, Artists’ Collecting Society Platinum Award for Fashion, 2024

Selected by Jonny Banger

From Now On… Never Again

HM Prison Isle of Wight (Albany), Susan’s Highly Commended Award for Themed Category: From Now On, 2024

Bust

HM Young Offender Centre Hydebank Wood, Christine Wong JP’s One to Watch Gold Award for Craft, 2024

Women with Japanese Vase

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Forensic CMHT, Bella the Labrador Bronze Award for Portrait, 2024

Fine Looking Faces

Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre, Portrait, 2024

Ballet Shoes

HM Prison Standford Hill (Sheppey Cluster), Painting, 2024

Finches

HM Prison Standford Hill (Sheppey Cluster), Amber Jackson Silver Award for Painting, 2024

Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE

Broken UK

HM Prison Standford Hill (Sheppey Cluster), Mixed Media, 2024

Selected by Larry Achiampong

Life Inside

HM Prison Isle of Wight (Albany), Si Pickard Outstanding Debut Award for Craft, 2024

Jigsaw Shirt

Kemple View (secure mental health unit), Silver Award for Fashion, 2024

Balloon Pants

Kemple View (secure mental health unit), Commended Award for Fashion, 2024

Roisin Dubh

HM Prison Maghaberry, Sculpture, 2024

The Speech

HM Prison Channings Wood, Pamela Wynn Highly Commended Award for Sculpture, 2024

Jenga Jungle

HM Prison Ashfield, Charlton Bronze Award for Woodcraft, 2024

Selected by Larry Achiampong

Preditor!!

HM Prison Dovegate, Grayson Perry Outstanding Debut Award for Ceramics, 2024

Selected by Larry Achiampong

The Face of an International Woman

HM Prison Peterborough, Needlecraft, 2024

First Date

The Spinney (secure mental health unit), Elysium Healthcare Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024

See

HM Prison Ashfield, Sculpture, 2024

Black or White Not

HM Prison Glenochil, Commended Award for Fashion, 2024

Selected by Jonny Banger

Partygate

HM Prison Dovegate, Ceramics, 2024

Empowerment

HM Prison Peterborough, Needlecraft, 2024

Selected by Larry Achiampong

The Migraine

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Drake Hall, Painting, 2024

How I Learnt to Hear the Gulls

HM Prison Ashfield, Drawing, 2024

Riding On

Huntingdon Probation Service, Themed Category: From Now On, 2024

Bob Ross

HM Prison Long Lartin, Painting, 2024

Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE

Behind the Mic

HM Prison Brixton, Painting, 2024

Arisaig

HM Prison Edinburgh, Julia Rogerson Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024

Selected by Zakia Sewell

From Now On No More Booze

HM Prison Edinburgh, Themed Category: From Now On, 2024

Red Rum

HM Prison Edinburgh, Needlecraft, 2024

A Mother’s Love

HM Prison Foston Hall, Mixed Media, 2024

Selected by Larry Achiampong

Guilty

HM Prison Bullingdon, Drawing, 2024

Selected by Jonny Banger

Nurse

Thornford Park Hospital, Portrait, 2024

Big Lady

Thornford Park Hospital, Pastel, 2024

Carnage

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Norwich, Drawing, 2024

Zebra

Thornford Park Hospital, Drawing, 2024

Gorgeous Gargoyle

Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre, Ceramics, 2024

Selected by Zakia Sewell

My Time in Bath

Kemble House (secure mental health unit), Painting, 2024

Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE

Legend

The Spinney (secure mental health unit), Portrait, 2024

Curse of the Woods

HM Prison Shotts, Marie-Louise von Motesiczky Commended Award for Portrait, 2024

Slammer Stag

Military Corrective Training Centre, Sculpture, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

HMP (Horror Movie Parody)

HM Prison Wayland, Jill Edge Silver Award for Drawing, 2024

Selected by Jonny Banger

Teddy Bear Soap

HM Prison Maghaberry, Sculpture, 2024

Portrait

HM Prison Barlinnie, Maggi Hambling Bronze Award for Portrait, 2024

Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE

Gaza

HM Prison Maghaberry, Painting, 2024

Sisterhood Rising

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Low Newton, Spring Platinum Award for Calligraphy, 2024

Selected by Larry Achiampong

I Wish We Could Fly

HM Young Offender Institution Polmont, Highly Commended Award for Mixed Media, 2024

Selected by Larry Achiampong

I’ll Watch What I Say From Now On

HM Prison Swaleside (Sheppey Cluster), Evelyn Plesch Highly Commended Award for Themed Category: From Now On, 2024

From Now On: Echoes in Time

HM Prison Barlinnie, Bronze Award for Themed Category: From Now On, 2024

From Now On: Don’t Stop

HM Prison Garth, Themed Category: From Now On, 2024

Love Birds

HM Prison Castle Huntly, Pastel, 2024

Selected by Zakia Sewell

Positive Thoughts in Dark Places

HM Prison Erlestoke, Dalrymple Silver Award for Ceramics, 2024

Firefly Cave

Caswell Clinic (secure mental health unit), Dennis Evans Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

The Sunny Seas

HM Young Offender Institution Polmont, Drawing, 2024

Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE

The Big Gains

HM Young Offender Institution Polmont, Portrait, 2024

Toeny Montana

HM Prison Rye Hill, Commended Award for Mixed Media, 2024

Selected by Jonny Banger

A Wooly Night

HM Prison Isle of Wight (Albany), Mixed Media, 2024

Selected by Zakia Sewell

Longing

HM Prison The Verne, Watercolour and Gouache, 2024

Elton

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Chelmsford, Portrait, 2024

Frida

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Chelmsford, Reg Gadney Commended Award for Portrait, 2024

Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE

New Kid on an Old Block

HM Prison North Sea Camp, Avis Allum Bronze Award for Themed Category: From Now On, 2024

Black and Proud

River House (secure mental health unit), Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024

Wolfie

HM Prison Long Lartin, Painting, 2024

Selected by Aindrea Emelife

Four Split

HM Prison Long Lartin, Painting, 2024

My Face

HM Prison Littlehey, Drawing, 2024

Tree of Life

John Howard Centre (secure mental health unit), The Arts Society Greater London Area Platinum Award for Painting, 2024

Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE

Celebration

HM Prison Full Sutton, Silver Award for Mixed Media, 2024

Blossoming Woman

HM Prison Bronzefield, Themed Category: From Now On, 2024

One Day on the Bee’s Horizon

HM Prison Isle of Wight (Parkhurst), Mixed Media, 2024

Selected by Larry Achiampong

From Now On I’ll Fix It

HM Prison Dovegate, Gold Award for Themed Category: From Now On, 2024

Head and Shoulder

John Howard Centre (secure mental health unit), Drawing, 2024

Small Sunset

Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre, Painting, 2024

Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE

The Ugly Sisters

HM Prison Bronzefield, Jennifer Oklikah Silver Award for Portrait, 2024

Selected by Jonny Banger

A Prisoner’s Best Friend

HM Prison Gartree, Highly Commended Award for Needlecraft, 2024

Spectacle

Arbury Court (secure mental health unit), Drawing, 2024

Climate Change

HM Prison Glenochil, Platinum Award for Woodcraft, 2024

Selected by Larry Achiampong

Lost Hope

HM Prison Grendon, Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024

Morning After

HM Prison Woodhill, Portrait, 2024

My First AA Class

HM Prison Woodhill, Drawing, 2024

The Devils Puppet

HM Prison Littlehey, Painting, 2024

Selected by Zakia Sewell

Women I Like

HM Prison Grendon, Printmaking, 2024

Selected by Zakia Sewell

Exotic Life At the Inn

HM Prison Lewes, The Arts Society City of Chichester Commended Award for Drawing, 2024

Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE

The World In His Hand

HM Prison Oakwood, Jeremiah Peters Platinum Award for Sculpture, 2024

Selected by Jonny Banger

Bag of Chips

HM Prison Send, Lamberth Foundation Bronze Award for Fashion, 2024

Helmet

HM Prison Pentonville, Margaret Lipsey Recycled Materials Outstanding Debut Award for Sculpture, 2024

Selected by Aindrea Emelife

Rising Forest

HM Prison Isle of Wight (Parkhurst), Drawing, 2024

Coffee and Biscuits

HM Prison Bronzefield, Needlecraft, 2024

The Last Ever Piece of Mahogany

HM Prison Isle of Wight (Albany), Bronze Award for Sculpture, 2024

Poster Design

HM Young Offender Institution Brinsford, Ad Astra Outstanding Debut Award for Calligraphy 2024

Selected by Larry Achiampong

Please Mind Your Head

HM Prison Northumberland, Charlotte and Robert Gurney Bronze Award for Calligraphy, 2024

Flags of the World

HM Prison Bronzefield, Beauty, 2024

The Lover

HM Prison Bronzefield, Themed Category: From Now On, 2024

Black Sheep

Huntingdon Probation Service, John Plummer Bronze Award for Ceramics, 2024

Just Grazing

HM Prison Isle of Wight (Albany), Carmina Commended Award for Sculpture, 2024

Selected by Zakia Sewell

Tessellated Fish or Fish in Net

HM Prison Isle of Wight (Parkhurst), Victor Roberts Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024

Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE

Portrait

HM Prison Bullingdon, G&J Charitable Trust Commended Award and 18 and Under Highly Commended Award for Portrait, 2024

Selected by Aindrea Emelife

Prison Journal

HM Prison Lancaster Farms, Platinum Award for Drawing, 2024

Selected by Aindrea Emelife

Beaten Me To It

HM Prison Usk, Hugh Casson Platinum Award for Drawing, 2024

Thalassa

HM Prison Dovegate, Serco Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024

Selected by Larry Achiampong

Funky Punky

Harmondsworth Immigration Removal Centre, Ceramics, 2024

ADHD

HM Prison Swansea, Drawing, 2024

Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE

Jail Mail

HM Prison Holme House, Drawing, 2024

Tricorn of Cards

HM Prison Brixton, Doorway Highly Commended Award for Craft, 2024

Selected by Jonny Banger

Kim

HM Prison Shotts, Department of Law and Criminology at Royal Holloway University of London Platinum Award for Portrait, 2024

Desperation

HM Prison Peterborough, Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

IPP Injustice

HM Prison Woodhill, Gold Award for Handmade Book, 2024

Mind the Gap

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Grampian, Emdee Highly Commended Award for Woodcraft, 2024

At Last My Eyes Are Open

HM Prison Wayland, Portrait, 2024

Selected by Jonny Banger

5 a Day

HM Prison Woodhill, Handmade Book, 2024

Selected by Aindrea Emelife

Pink Aliens

John Howard Centre (secure mental health unit), Bronze Award for Craft, 2024

Semi Skimmed Spilt Milk

HM Prison High Down, Caro Millington Silver Award for Craft, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

Art Class

HM Prison Eastwood Park, Change Through Art Outstanding Debut Award for Needlecraft, 2024

Selected by Aindrea Emelife

Women’s Euro 2022

HM Prison Full Sutton, Needlecraft, 2024

Play Me My Tune

HM Prison Downview, Patrick Holmes Platinum Award for Mixed Media, 2024

Selected by Jonny Banger

Free As a Bird in Prison

HM Prison Wormwood Scrubs, TVMole Commended Award for Sculpture, 2024

3 Hs

HM Prison Fosse Way, Rosemary Bartholomew Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024

Unnecessary Necessity, Death of a River

HM Prison Onley, Erwin James Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024

The Tea Towel

HM Prison Magilligan, Pastel, 2024

Prison Life

HM Prison Stafford, D & S Bronze Award for Sculpture, 2024

Selected by Aindrea Emelife

Feet Up Cuppa Tea Ready

HM Prison Humber, Jackie Roscoe Memorial Award for Sculpture, 2024

Sunny Mushroom

HM Prison Edinburgh, Bowman Smart Silver Award for Textile Art, 2024

Every Day Views

HM Prison Wayland, Pierce Brunt Highly Commended Award for Drawing, 2024

3 Dem Guyz

HM Prison Wayland, Brent Gold Award for Calligraphy, 2024

Jesus Christ Our Lord

HM Prison Holme House, Painting, 2024

My Furniture Factory

Arnold Lodge (secure mental health unit), Drawing, 2024

Selected by Aindrea Emelife

The Divide

Norfolk Probation Service, Prometheus Bronze Award for Painting, 2024

Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE

No More Shame!

HM Prison High Down, The Arts Society Greater London Area Gold Award for Needlecraft, 2024

Selected by Larry Achiampong

Tears of Christ

Arnold Lodge (secure mental health unit), Portrait, 2024

Selected by Zakia Sewell

The Trans Life

HM Prison Stafford, Highly Commended Award for Portrait, 2024

Selected by Zakia Sewell

Tsars in Their Eyes

HM Prison Littlehey, Portrait, 2024

Code Blue

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Parc, Translation, Transmutations, Transpositions Highly Commended Award for Ceramics, 2024

Northern Ireland Snatch Land Rover

HM Prison Gartree, Sculpture, 2024

From Now On

HM Prison Lowdham Grange, Themed Category: From Now On, 2024

Selected by Zakia Sewell

Rodney the Red Kneed Tarantula

HM Prison Stafford, Carolyn Taylor & Julia Krish Outstanding Debut Award for Sculpture, 2024

Shogun Castle

HM Prison Dovegate, Where There’s a Will There’s a Way Commended Award for Ceramics, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

Judged

HM Prison Dovegate, Space Station Sixty-Five Platinum Award for Ceramics, 2024

20 Years – Journey Through My Cell

HM Prison Dovegate, Stockwell Gold Award for Ceramics, 2024

Selected by Aindrea Emelife

From Now On Is This How You See Me

HM Prison Downview, Themed Category: From Now On, 2024

Selected by Jonny Banger

Bourne and Bread in Brum!

HM Prison Long Lartin, Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

Shrine to My Heart

Austen House (secure children’s home), Hope Under 25s Special Award and 18 and Under Highly Commended Award for Sculpture, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

Beautiful Things

The Bella Centre (community custody unit), Sculpture, 2024

Buddha Christ

River House (secure mental health unit), Freeman Bronze Award for Ceramics, 2024

Selected by Aindrea Emelife

Rosary

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Chelmsford, Michael Fox Birthday Outstanding Debut Award for Craft, 2024

Top Cat

HM Prison Lewes, Drawing, 2024

Portrait

HM Prison Stafford, Portrait, 2024

Poppy Field

Langdon Hospital, In Memory of Ann Boot Commended Award for Needlecraft, 2024

Selected by Zakia Sewell

Haile Selassie’s Wars

HM Prison Gartree, Painting, 2024

Adopt a Pot Hole 2024

HM Prison Isle of Wight (Albany), Silver Award for Mixed Media, 2024

Aubergine

HM Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood, 18 and Under Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024

Pencil Drawing

HM Prison Winchester, Drawing, 2024

Hare

HM Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood, Inspiring Start Under 25s Special Award and 18 and Under Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024

Tag

Vinney Green (secure children’s home), James Wood KC Under 25s Special Award and 18 and Under Special Award for Painting, 2024

Woman on Red Background

HM Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood, 18 and Under Highly Commended Award for Painting, 2024

Rainbow

Shannon Clinic (secure mental health unit), Painting, 2024

Great British Seaside

HM Prison & Young Offender Institution Askham Grange, Mark Long Commended Award for Mixed Media, 2024

Selected by Aindrea Emelife

Inner Demons

HM Prison Glenochil, Sally Taylor Commended Award for Sculpture, 2024

King’s Crown

Colnbrook Immigration Removal Centre, Craft, 2024

Swing Within a Face

HM Prison Fosse Way, New Beginnings Bronze Award for Matchstick Model, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

The Eyes of a Carer

HM Prison Full Sutton, Commended Award for Sculpture, 2024

Selected by Aindrea Emelife

Shared Light

HM Prison La Moye, Zelda Cheatle Bronze Award for Photography, 2024

From Now On

HM Prison Fosse Way, Themed Category: From Now On, 2024

Selected by Aindrea Emelife

Home Sick

HM Prison Fosse Way, Good-Sothinathan Commended Award for Portrait, 2024

Selected by Larry Achiampong

David Bowie – Changes

HM Prison Garth, Portrait, 2024

Selected by Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE

Of Your Own Making

HM Prison Long Lartin, Drawing, 2024

From Now On!

HM Prison Dovegate, Keep Going With Art Silver Award for Themed Category: From Now On, 2024

Apple

HM Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood, Alison & Henry Grunwald OBE KC Under 25s Special Award for Painting, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

Woman on Yellow Background

HM Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood, 18 and Under Commended Award for Painting, 2024

Being Black in a White Society

HM Young Offender Institution Cookham Wood, Anne Peaker Outstanding Debut Award and 18 and Under Highly Commended Award for Poem, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

The Day of the Parole Hearing

HM Prison Littlehey, Tony Parker Commended Award for Poem, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

Hospital Exodus

From the poetry collection The Moments in Between, Arbury Court (secure mental health unit), Poetry Collection, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

My Day

HM Young Offender Institution Feltham, Nicola & Maha Commended Award for Poem, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

Grey Day

HM Prison Full Sutton, Be Kind to Yourself Commended Award for Poem, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

Happiness

Mill View Hospital, Jessie Ireland Memorial Commended Award for Poem, 2024

A Recipe for Mental Illness

HM Prison Fosse Way, Judith Tannenbaum Outstanding Debut Award for Poem, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

A Guy I Knew at Uni Is on the Radio

HM Prison Isle of Wight (Parkhurst), Richard F. Taylor Platinum Award for Poem, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

The Process in Acronym

I submitted a PCF2 [Prisoner Complaint Form]
As I queried progression dates TBC? [To Be Confirmed]
Progression is first available PPED minus 4 years. [Punishment Part Expiry Date]
The GIC replied; [Governor in Charge]
“No chance you’ve not completed SCP!” [Self Change Programme]
I had my GPA in 2014. [Generic Programmes Assessment]
When PCMB ruled SCP was a must. [Programmes Case Management Board]

I appealed the GPA about the SCP to the FLM. [First Line Manager]
Since I’d never had an LSCMI done. [Level of Service Case Management Index]
The RMT agreed the “LSCMI risk assessment” must be done! [Risk Management Team]
PBSW said LSCMI was medium. [Prison Based Social Work]
And ROSH was low. [Risk of Serious Harm]
So SCP selection was reversed by RMT. [Risk Management Team]
Now Discovery Course was recommended by the SPS. [Scottish Prison Service]

For a few weeks I had no PPC. [Prisoners Private Cash]
My stress was noticed by the PCO. [Prison Custody Officer]
Usually I train hard at PT to fight the blues. [Physical Training]
The MHT was worried I was unstable. [Mental Health Team]
They have misinterpreted my complex PTSD. [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder]
Now the professionals are recommending a PRA? [Psychological Risk Assessment]
Everyone has bad days. WTF!!! [What the F***]

All during this time I had no ICM. [Integrated Case Management]
But now that obstacle is passed I’m off to N.T.E! [National Top End]
I’ve passed the MDT. [Mandatory Drug Test]
Social work have approved the HBR. [Home Background Report]
Though now I’m only 2 years from my PQD. [Parole Qualifying Date]
I’m hoping soon I’ll get my first SEL. [Special Escorted Leave]
The process to get home once you’re in HMP. [His Majesties Prison]

HM Prison Greenock, Tim Robertson Silver Award for Poem, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi

The Process in Acronym

HM Prison Greenock, Tim Robertson Silver Award for Poem, 2024

Selected by Abbas Zahedi