Project Overview
During these very challenging times, I needed to pivot my organisation from a record label for social change operating in multiple UK prisons to a magazine for learning and engagement to a wider prison population. My staff pivoted from being music & label facilitators, to educational journalists.
We know nothing about the print industry, but are now reaching over 2,500 prisoners across the UK & USA through nine separate prisons and correctional facilities.
Organisation
Team
Editor in Chief - Judah Armai
Creative Director - Hannah Lee
Audio Director - Will Hood
Proofreading - Tim Howarth
Editors - JayJay Boylan, Grace Holbrook, Charlotte Ellis, David Antonia, Cameron Taylor
Contributors - Vinnie Stergin, Fraser Parry, JayJay Boylan, Grace Holbrook, Charlotte Ellis, David Antonia, Cameron Taylor, Alexander Kyd
Project Context
In the UK as a result of the pandemic, c86,000 prisoners, like the rest of the population, is on lockdown. However, lockdown for the prison populace means remaining in their cell for almost 24 hours a day. The onus is on Her Majesty's Prison and Probation service to help occupy the time of the prisoners, to alleviate anxiety and to distract frustrations that may result in potential rioting when the cell doors are eventually opened.
Project Innovation
How to pivot the expertise that my staff have, knowing their audience really well, but overcoming the challenges of not being able to interact face to face and create a programme of real engagement that begins to inspire, provide hope and channel energies into positivity.
We pooled our expertise, to design a trojan horse of a magazine. One that appears to be like a music magazine, but one that has been curated specially to increase literacy, develop new skills, and entertain.
In addition to the print magazine we have created an accompanying Audio Magazine, so that we can ensure literacy increase, for those who are unlikely to read the magazine immediately the Audio CD provides trailer like intro's to each section and features interviews from Graduates of InHouse Records, providing inspiring messages to current prisoners.
Design Challenge
How to overcome the challenge of distance, lack of inspiration, meaningful work, engagement and literacy within prisoners who are locked up for almost 24 hours a day during the Covid19 pandemic.
Sustainability
We have been able to negotiate contracts with both the prisons and printers where production costs and delivery are covered, allowing the publication to be readily available to every single prison in the UK and the realistic potential of c40,000 prisoners reading the learning programme / weekly full colour journal within the next 12 months.
From a very challenging time, can come something inspiring and creative, designed with innovation in order to see safer communities, less victims of crime and development with dignity for our learners in prison.
Social and Community-Oriented Design - Object
Social design applies a design methodology and intervention to tighten the social fabric that holds us together. Addressing issues of social inequality, such as poverty or social isolation, social design is the pathway to a more just and sustainable society. Community-oriented design is a human-centered and participatory design practice that emphasises the betterment of local communities through the improvement of public facilities, equipment, identity and experience.
The object category celebrates creative and innovative design for an object or product. Consideration is given according to the design context and need, design innovation and the application of human centred design principles.
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