Women from HMP Low Newton have been working with creative writers, musicians and designers to create and record songs and prose on a range of issues, chosen by them, and these are being brought together as a resource to help others.
Tuned In is aimed at women:
- In custody, serving long-term sentences, to provide greater engagement with rehabilitation; or
- Due for release, to give them confidence to make the transition back into the community; or
- On community resettlement programmes, to boost resilience.
Most offence-focussed interventions are made by professionals for offenders. Tuned In seeks to provide an alternative, an intervention by women for women, using their authentic stories. Women offenders re-offend for different reasons than men. They have different issues and triggers, yet exist in a system designed for men. Tuned In provides specifically for the needs of women.
The programme’s impact was evaluated by Middlesex University.