Askham Grange“I was a professional singer until my misfortune, but l had lost my confidence and hope of ever pursuing my dreams. After being a part of the group that put the songbook "Behind the Secret Door" together and learning that they had won an award it really boosted my confidence and made me feel very proud. But the most important thing was the way l was treated by the team from the Trust. They had faith in me, believed in me and saw me for who l really was. They saw my talent and treated me with the utmost respect.”
Participant
 

Aylesbury"The prisoners have never had the opportunity to work together and this project asked them to work as a group. Some of the Young People have difficulty in finding something that interests them and in expressing themselves and it was nice to see them working enthusiastically with the Irene Taylor Trust staff."
Member of Staff
 

Brixton"I was doing the washing-up with tears streaming down my face listening to the Brixton Angels, and I’m a person who doesn’t find it easy to cry. I’d like to say thank you, not just to the people who sang, but to all those who listened with such enthusiasm."
BBC Radio 3 Listener
 

Bullingdon"94% of participants did not offend during the time that they were involved in the Julius Caesar Project. There was a 58% decrease in the offence rates of participants in the six months following the project, compared to the offence rates in the six month period before the project began."
Evaluation
 

Bullwood Hall"We walk back on the unit singing songs – it is very unusual to hear singing on Life unit. Being on the Life unit the project provided an unusual relief to prison life where self-esteem and self-confidence is generally very low. Some time ago I lost all my confidence and self esteem and never imagined singing again and doing what I am doing now."
Participant
 

Cardiff"I think that the idea of introducing music and poetry to prisoners is an excellent way of helping them to learn new skills or develop existing skills which may help them on release. It builds confidence, teamwork, inter-personal skills, provides a medium for giving pleasure to themselves and others and transferable confidence to tackle other issues in their lives."
Governor
 

HMYOI Castington"Everyone was playing 101%"
Project Participant.
 

Cookham Wood"There were staff with tears in their eyes saying thanks so much for everything and that the girls had got so much from the experience. A warm, caring and dedicated unit which gave us a real sense of hope that things are being addressed in a positive way."
Project Team Member
 

Staffordshire"I have gained a little bit of confidence, I've never done anything like this in my life. I had to push myself to do it and it made me realise that if I face my fears I can achieve things that I never thought possible."
Project Participant.
 

Downview"I found the work and the occasion very interesting. Many congrats to the Irene Taylor Trust team for the dedicated and effective work you are doing in difficult conditions. The young women were clearly very engaged and very proud of the work they had created and could perform so well. I talked to the staff who confirmed this was the first time this sort of event had happened in this unit. They believed it was very helpful to break down barriers and build confidence and self esteem, as the girls worked together as a team and developed new skills. It was clear how proud the young women were of the work they had produced."
Audience Member
 

“You’re in a part of your life that is so negative and then this project lets you get a positive experience out of a negative one.”
Participant

“Thank you for coming. We’re so glad you’re here. This is the sort of stuff we really want to be doing. Arts led interventions are the way forward for those lads that want to engage, but it is always a question of finding the funding.”
Head of Learning and Skills
 

Elmley"Nerves were obvious but so was the excitement and the audience were hugely supportive of all that had been achieved. There were some great individual performances and as the set went on people visibly relaxed. So much had been achieved by a group who we felt sure had no idea where it was all going at the start of the project but nevertheless stuck with it no matter how difficult it got."
Project Team Member
 

Feltham"Music does something. In here it’s hyper and there’s a lot of violence. When you play music those thoughts go out of the window."
Participant
 

"I think the music people were really great, they motivated us to write our songs, they were never pissed even when we made mistakes and they taught us how to be confident in ourselves - I do appreciate their time and effort."
Participant.
 

Frankland"75% of staff changed their perception of arts projects to a positive view after seeing the performance."
Evaluation

"You should see Rex play the guitar and the drums
Showing us a few chords and how to play a few strums
Sara's got the knowledge and a musical hand
She's down with us kicking it on the drums and keyboard
Nick, he'll be directing and playing the keyboard too
And if you need correcting, he'll show you what to do
They're called Music In Prisons and this is their crew
They bring a trio of experience, just for me and you
The Irene Taylor Trust has made it possible
For us to do what would ordinarily seem impossible."
Participant's thank-you rap for Project Team.
 

HMP Full Sutton, York"I noticed that I don't have to work alone to make good music and that when musicians work together they inspire each other and are even more creative."
Project Participant.
 

Grendon"I was so excited I nearly forgot to put my teeth in this morning". Participant

 

Hindley"I hope we all do well and I'm sure we can all make it sound good, but we have to work as a team or it won't happen for us."
Participant, before project.
 

Holloway"I am very thankful that although she is in prison she is able to meet people such as yourself and your project team, who encourage her talents and do not condemn her for the situation she is in."
Participant’s sister
 

HMP Hull"I have become more confident in myself and also I have learnt how to play instruments."
Project Participant
 

HMP Leeds"We came together, even though at first I wasn't very confident about working with inmates off A-wing, but went well. The course was brilliant... there is plenty of talent behind prison doors."
Project Participant
 

Lewes"How wonderful it was to see the positive effect of your workshop. I was spellbound by the impact your 16 hours had on the prisoners."
Caroline Mayhew, High Sheriff of East Sussex
 

Littlehey“Well done all of you, that was great. There is some real talent isn’t there, don’t you just wish they found it a bit earlier before they ended up in here.”
Prison Officer

"It has brought out more in my personality. People in the prison knowing I have talent. It makes me feel buzzy. The project is a positive thing. It helps people to really communicate, to work together and to express themselves through music."
Participant
 

Long Lartin"I haven't heard the lads ever being able to express themselves so freely in a public arena. I thought it was fantastic."
Audience Member
 

Low Newton"I was very impressed by the peformance and was amazed that in just 5 days how accomplised the performers became. It is a real reflection on the professional musicians who tutor them."
High Sherif of Durham (audience member)
 

Manchester"As I am sure you will be aware, the prison system can be a very harsh and oppressive environment and your average prisoner can easily lose their feelings of self worth. I feel you should know that our time spent working with you, learning how to play musical instruments, had the exact opposite effect on us. Every inmate who attended the project seemed to grow in stature as the week progressed. It was plain to see just how much everyone was enjoying themselves. Proof of this was seen every day with the huge smiles that we all left with after each session. The feelings generated from listening to our ideas turning into completed, professional music tracks was indescribable. Then to play them to an audience in our gig, my first but not my last may I add, was just the icing on the cake!"
Participant
 

"I can do things I never thought I could do."
Project Participant

"This programme should continue. It is a programme that gives hope where there is none and life when all is lost."
Project Participant
 

"My confidence has got a lot better. I love to sing. And to work together. I loved making this music, a fantastic experience and feel I have took a lot from this, gained a lot and learned a lot."
Participant.
 

HMPYOI Parc, Mid-Glamorgan"It was one of the best things I've done in my life. I learnt a lot."
Participant

"I think that it promotes the development of skills much needed by the prisoners to improve their chances of employment on release."
Staff Member
 

Pentonville"It’s really nice to see these guys doing something creative - expressing themselves. More often than not they are just stuffing bags. I know the results of what you are doing aren’t tangible but they are nevertheless crucial to personal development."
Member of staff
 

"Working with people creating something was a brilliant experience."
Participant, HMP Risley.
 

Rochester"I learned a lot in this you know. How you can make songs quickly. I was surprised. When you achieve it it’s a good feeling."
Participant
 

"This is an excellent and worthwhile project, the organisers ooze enthusiasm and inspiration."
Participant

"Although I have a lot on my mind with the prison system not being able to progress me, I am able to switch my mind off to concentrate on other things (temporarily)."
Participant
 

HMP Stocken"There was no bad atmosphere and the music brought us all together as a team. I noticed the passion in people, the desire to do well."
Project Participant

"I've been locked up since 2003 and this was by far the best course I have took part in. It showed us that with a bit of perseverence and passion we can achieve a lot. The team-building seemed to come natural to us."
Project Participant


 

"I thought the MIP were fantastic and I want to thank them all."
Participant
 

HMYOI Thorn Cross"Some prisoners who have been difficult to motivate and engage in the past have been completely engrossed in this week's project. The prisoners have had the opportunity to work with such fantastic, professional musicians. All participants seen to have benefited enormously from the experience."
Member of Staff, HMYOI Thorn Cross

"I was afraid at first, then I just done it."
Project Participant, HMYOI Thorn Cross
 

"Shower loads of praise (and payrise and funding) onto team for an exemplary experience"
Participant

"Some prisoners get a chance to express themselves with music that they don't often have an opportunity to. There were prisoners taking part that are normally quite quiet who were encouraged to take part. This has to be good for their self-esteem"
Prison Staff
 

HMP Wakefield"Having worked with 3 professional and motivating musicians, I now realise how much more work I need to put in to one day be at the same level."
Project Participant
 

"Now I express myself in different ways. I can show more people what I'm feeling rather than being angry about stuff. Music would help prisoners to express themselves and see different ways of coping. It would give them help with depression as well."
Participant

“One of the great things about the MIP project is that it enabled all the participants to work together as a team and to gain confidence in their ability to write and perform superb songs. The expertise, patience, support and professionalism of the MIP team led the participants on a musical journey of personal development and self-discovery.”
Education Staff.
 

Wayland"I am learning so much you know. This has been completely amazing for me, I never knew I could do it."
Participant
 

HMP Wealstun"As a mental health nurse I feel that music is a wonderful form of expression. The workshop allows prisoners to 'lose' themselves for a week. I also think that it builds confidence and self-esteem, not easily achieved in this environment."
Staff member, HMP Wealstun.
 

"Can we do it again?"
Participant
 

Whatton"It saved me as I was getting to the point where I was really low. I had done all my courses and was thinking what can I do to better myself? What can I do to give myself a little bit extra? When this came along I said yes I’d do it as from a personal point of view I can’t live without music. It’s a fantastic way to save someone’s life if they are down."
Participant
 

Harmondsworth (Immigration Removal Centre)"I personally believe that physically and mentally I’ve been relieved. Since yesternight, and even this morning, there is no word like ‘detention’. I feel like I’m free, or something. I’m able to do what I like doing. It’s a great, great time. It’s a relief, a remedy for everything."
Participant
 

Littlemore (Secure Hospital)"It’s great this, innit?!"

"It’s nice to work with such normal people"
Participants
 

Rampton (Secure Hospital)"There were many highlights of the week but one crucially important one was the change in Carol who now wants to do music therapy on the back of the project. Bearing in mind she sleeps for more hours in the day than she is awake, this must have had such a positive effect on her. The power of positive engagement..."
Project Team Member