Co-creation in prisons

In May 2025, composer Michael Betteridge and pianist Clare Hammond ran a co-creation project with prisoners at HMP Featherstone and HMP Oakwood. Over the course of four workshops, they composed pieces for solo piano with the participants to reflect their experiences of prison.

In July, these will be performed in concerts for friends and family, and participants will receive a printed score of the piece and a CD recording. From September 2025 onwards, Clare will perform these pieces at 10 prisons and in public recitals across the UK. Hear them live at:

Feedback from participants

"To see these big blokes, you know with tattoos like, talking about how music makes them feel… you don't see that in prison. The music is lovely, but it's also therapeutic. It brings people together."

"This is the best thing that I've done for my mental health in prison, and I think it is for everyone. As we leave, it's all anyone's talking about and they're all looking forward to the next session."

"It's great that we're bringing different people together from different wings - everyone is able to join in."

"If people are making music together, they're not going to be messing around on street corners."

"I really want to be at the [friends and family] concert but I'm going to be out then. Can I get a day pass to come back?"

"I shall remember this for the rest of my life."

Responses from staff

"This project is without doubt the most extraordinary and uplifting piece I have ever had the privilege to be a tiny part of in 18 years of prison work." (Alan Smith, Prison Library Service Advisor for Staffordshire.)

"It is amazing how relaxed they are in the workshops and to see them laughing together. That very rarely happens in prison."

This project was supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. We are also grateful to The Gloucestershire Piano Trust, The Marchus Trust, Leigh Day Solicitors and Staffordshire Prison Libraries for their support and encouragement.

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