Navigating the UK criminal justice system and healing through creativity
What happens when creativity and a desire for social reform collide with the harsh realities of the UK criminal justice system? Ella and Harriet of Glasshouse Theatre share their candid experiences of becoming prison officers, revealing the challenges they faced, and the impact the role had on their mental health. They discuss how their initial motivations were fuelled by a white saviour complex and a desire to bring creativity to the prison environment, but the training they received left them woefully unprepared for the job.
Throughout the conversation, we explore the complexities of working in a gendered environment, the naivety and ego that motivated Ella and Harriet to stay in their roles, and the ways they dealt with the trauma of the job.
Harriet and Ella describe the difficult process of leaving the service and transitioning to life 'off the landings' after experiencing extreme trauma and being in a constant state of high adrenaline, and how that can lead to feelings of detachment, isolation and shame.
But, as with all Creativity Found stories, there is a silver lining, and we find out how therapy, lifestyle adjustments and writing the show Cell Outs – originally not intending it to be produced – helped Harriet and Ella begin to live ‘normal’ lives again, and learn to manage their own expectations in the future, be aware of trauma in themselves and others, and provide a safe space for those in similar situations now through their outreach theatre programs.

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Researched, edited and produced by Claire Waite Brown
Music: Day Trips by Ketsa Undercover / Ketsa Creative Commons License Free Music Archive - Ketsa - Day Trips
Artworks: Emily Portnoi emilyportnoi.co.uk
Photo: Ella Pallet

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