Working with Incarcerated Women in the Context of COVID 19


NB - this event is in the past.
DATE:
November 23, 2020
LOCATION:
Online Event

This online panel event brought together speakers from Criminal Justice, Arts and Culture, and the Women’s Sector to reflect on how the coronavirus has impacted the lives of incarcerated women and those encountering the criminal justice system at this time.

Hosted by Dr Sarah Bartley, School of Film, Theatre and Television, University of Reading.

The COVID 19 pandemic has exposed a myriad of healthcare, human rights, education, rehabilitation, and capacity issues within the UK criminal justice system. This event brought together speakers from Criminal Justice, Arts and Culture, and the Women’s Sector to reflect on how the coronavirus has impacted the lives of incarcerated women and those encountering the criminal justice system at this time.

Kate Paradine (Women in Prison), Paula Harriott (Prison Reform Trust); and speakers from Appeal (Women's Justice Initiative), each shared their perspectives on how the women they work with have been affected by the pandemic. The speakers also highlighted the advocacy and campaigning that organisations are undertaking in this moment in order to think about how we might push for change during this moment of crisis.

Anna HerrmannYasmin Joseph and River (Clean Break Theatre Company) then shared the creative arts practice their organisations have been undertaking within and beyond the prison estate during this period of social isolation. They considered how creative and participatory arts practices can continue to make work that involves and represents incarcerated women under these increased restrictions.

Artists from Clean Break and the Prison Partnership Project then shared short pieces of performance emerging from their creative practice during this period.

Speakers:

Kate Paradine (Chief Executive, Women in Prison)

Paula Harriott (Head of Prisoner Engagement, Prison Reform Trust)

APPEAL (Women’s Justice Advocate)

Anna Herrmann (Co-Artistic Director, Clean Break Theatre Company)

Yasmin Joseph (Writer and Artist on 2 Metres Apart, Clean Break Theatre Company)

River (Artist on 2 Metres Apart, Clean Break Theatre Company)

Chair:

Caoimhe McAvinchey (QMUL, Women/Theatre/Justice)