Our in-prison programmes train people in prison to be highly skilled artisans with bespoke, individual teaching in needlework. The slow, focussed and creative quality of needlework has been shown to be extremely beneficial to prisoners’ motivation, well-being and mental health and rehabilitation.
Categories
Beneficiaries
Situation
Fine Cell Work provides purposeful work of exceptional quality, training people in prison to be highly skilled artisans through bespoke, individual teaching. We provide rehabilitation through programmes that support work-preparedness. By providing high-quality training, we are increasing opportunities for participation in skilled, committed craftwork in the shorter term and improving mental health, well-being and employment prospects in the longer term, alongside reduced reoffending.
Solution
We provide bespoke individual training by sending experienced, skilled volunteers into 20 prisons to teach prisoners to create high-quality needlework products which are commissioned by heritage organisations, contemporary artists and designers, and the public needing bespoke, legacy items. These have been exhibited as centrepieces in exhibitions at the V & A , Leeds Castle and Sotheby’s and range from bespoke kneelers for churches, and artworks for artists like Ai Wei Wei and Cornelia Parker.
