A new initiative seeks to enhance family visiting areas in prisons throughout the UK by introducing vibrant prints designed by renowned illustrator Sir Quentin Blake. Best known for his whimsical illustrations accompanying Roald Dahl’s beloved books, Blake’s work aims to create a more welcoming atmosphere for families visiting loved ones in prison.
The beautiful project, funded by Ramsey Crookall, features five diverse prints depicting different family relations. These artworks will be exhibited in prisons across the country, helping to “brighten” the typically harsh and cold visiting spaces. The new initiative is a hopeful sign that this commitment to keeping families connected, no matter the difficulty, is gaining momentum.
That’s why Leroy Bonnick, the prison governor, was optimistic about the initiative’s potential impact. He stated that the team hopes the prints will “reinforce the importance of keeping families connected.” Bonnick was sensitive to the challenges and trauma associated with having a family member behind bars. This somewhat jarring experience can be particularly overwhelming for younger children. The prints are meant to relieve some of that stress by encouraging a sense of connectedness and optimism.
Led by charity Motiv8, which supports people in prison and their families, this project aims to…Motiv8 provides weekly, one-to-one clinics for the incarcerated producers while they’re locked up and supports their family members both during as well as post-incarceration. The nonprofit’s goal is to assist each side of the family equation as they adjust to and confront the difficulties that come with incarceration.
As a member of Motiv8, Tiffany Crookall showed how personal and community healing drives the significance of the artwork. She called it “evocative,” highlighting how it plays a crucial role in offering emotional support to people who go to visit loved ones incarcerated behind bars. Crookall reflected on her personal connection to Blake’s illustrations, stating, “Having grown up with Sir Quentin Blake’s artwork through the works of Roald Dahl, I hope that the warmth and connection they brought to me and others globally is extended to those in prison.”
More than any statement art, these prints collectively stand as stark reminders of how crucial family connection is to rehabilitation. Along with physical health, they are critical to mental health. The effort turns visitor centers into welcoming environments. This allows them to provide a supportive environment for their families, so they can continue to foster their family ties despite the obstacles incarceration brings.
