Oakmin

TEDx Talk on Penned Up

For the past two decades David Kendall has worked on a variety of creative projects in prisons. This talk is about his experience of being a co-director of “Penned Up,” a literary festival in a prison.

Big Issue: John Bird on Penned Up

John Bird: Investing in prisoners could help them rewrite their story The library offers educational, physical and social improvement to help you out of the sticky stuff. Read more: https://www.bigissue.com/opinion/john-bird-investing-in-prisoners-could-help-them-rewrite-their-story/

Big Issue: The Legacy of Penned Up

“The legacy of Penned Up: How prison literacy changed my life” Given a life sentence for GBH at the age of 29, all hope seemed lost for Steve Newark. But a pioneering prison literacy project helped Steve gain the self-belief, confidence and skills to turn his life around in front of the parole board. Read…

Big Issue: David Kendall on Penned Up

Penned Up: Prison literature festivals give much-needed life beyond the cells Penned Up’s David Kendall says his events give a space for honesty and openness, and the prisoners and the speakers rise to that. Read more: https://www.bigissue.com/latest/social-activism/penned-up-prison-literature-festivals-give-much-needed-life-beyond-the-cells/

Penned up at HMP Downview

Written as an address to himself, in this blog David Kendall reflects on how he measures the success of a two week arts and literature festival at HMP Downview. Penned Up is created with and for those in prison. Its two directors, Mark Hewitt and David Kendall, work with each prison to form a committee…

InsideTime: Penned Up and Free

“Sitting in a classroom in HMP Erlestoke, along with a small group of fellow prisoners in October 2016, I listened intently as a question was posed. Could we organise a festival from within the prison walls? Little did I know this would snowball into something that would have a huge impact on my life.”– Steve…

Penned Up 2 – HMP Erlestoke’s Second Literary Festival

Following the huge success of the inaugural literary festival at HMP Erlestoke in 2017, planning began almost instantly to provide an even bigger and better version the following year. Read more: http://www.prison-education.co.uk/2018/05/29/penned-up-2-hmp-erlestokes-second-literary-festival/

InsideTime: Cash Back in Prison

Man who made iconic San Quentin film reveals ‘simmering rage’ atmosphere before seminal concert by country music star Johnny Cash. Read more: https://insidetime.org/cash-back-in-prison/

InsideTime: Could we really host a festival in prison?

In July 2016, a small group of staff and prisoners were discussing literacy initiatives when that question was asked. There were more than a couple of quizzical glances shot across the room. Who could or indeed would come to the prison? Who would interest the population? Read more: https://insidetime.org/could-we-really-host-a-festival-in-prison/