Free as a Bird
“I’m getting released in 21 days after serving 5 years and wow did this move and motivate me, if they can do it and succeed so can I”
— Prisoner, HMP Newhall, on 'Free as a Bird'
Free as a Bird is a documentary that was created in collaboration with some of imagine if‘s Bird on the Wing Graduates. The Graduates had worked with imagine if in prison and since they were released. The documentary shows the value the arts have in helping people change their lives.
Free as a Bird has been shown in the following 20 prisons to over 5,500 prisoners since 2021:
- Adult Male prisons: HMP Humber, Moorland, Wealstun, Berwyn, Erlestoke, Feltham B, Garth, Lindholme, Ranby, Stoke Heath, Swaleside, The Mount, The Studio, Wayland
- Adult Female prisons: New Hall, Styal
- Youth Male prisons: Cookham Wood, Feltham A, Werrington, Wetherby
It has also been viewed over 1,000 times by the public.
Throughout Autumn 2020 we ran writing workshops with people with convictions which formed the basis of Free as a Bird; a documentary we designed and produced which demonstrates the life-changing impact that involvement in the arts can have for people in prison and those with convictions in the community.
“It’s nice to know you’re not alone” Prisoner on Free as a Bird, 2021
We used locations across Leeds to film in that were representative of the themes in the participants’ lives – hope, despair, loss, love, chaos, freedom. Free as a Bird features Bird on the Wing Graduates whom we have worked with from 2017 – 2020 and was made available for free to prisons directly and through the HMPPS digital hub and to the public online.
After participating in Free as a Bird, one graduate stated that the experience made him “feel like a star”. This person went on to be invited onto BBC Radio Sheffield and was interviewed on Christmas Day, 2020 about the work they were doing to help others since being released.
“I’m getting released in 21 days after serving 5 years and wow did this move and motivate me, if they can do it and succeed so can I” Prisoner on Free as a Bird, HMP Newhall, 2022
Creative Team
- Director – Chesca Joy
- Director of Photography – Brett Chapman
- Dramaturg – Chesca Joy
- Producer – Chesca Joy
- Assistant Producer – Elle Money
- Community Director (Prisons) – Tamsin Cook
- Colourist & Editor – Brett Chapman
- Speakers – Bird on the Wing Graduates – Ishmael, Jim, Carl, Andrew, Frank, David
Bird on the Wing
All of the people you have heard from in this documentary are graduates of imagine if’s theatre and employability intervention, Bird on the Wing, which is delivered in prisons. It uses evidence-led theatre techniques to address several risk factors for criminal behaviour, including interpersonal skills, communications skills, employability and personal narratives.
Phoenix
Phoenix is a post-release resettlement programme for prison leavers which uses the arts to develop key employment and life skills. Phoenix provides practical support and arts-based opportunities to assist in positive resettlement and maintain motivation to cease offending behaviour.
Every single person who participates in these programmes joins our big and eccentric imagine if family. There’s always room for one more…
Behind the scenes photos:
