For more than 20 years, Britten Pears Arts worked closely with HMP Warren Hill, a male adult prison situated only a 15-minute drive from Snape Maltings.

The music programme aimed to create positive experiences for prisoners as part of their rehabilitation, help raise their confidence, and provide a space to build new skills by collaborating with professional musicians.

Annually the programme would deliver two projects:

Performance: The performance project encouraged the prisoners to work collaboratively to write and create a performance to be shared with guests by the end of the week. Previous themes included aspiration and strength.

Recording: The recording project was an opportunity for the prisoners to record their own music to a professional standard, with the option to submit to the Koestler Awards.

In addition, Britten Pears Arts supported family visits organised by Ormiston Families at both HMP Warren Hill and HMP Hollesley Bay and offered musical activity for young people visiting relatives as a way of connecting.

With thanks to Community Ambassador Yvette Riby-Williams, and the artistic team for their work on this programme.

Our work in prisons has been generously supported by Clive and Eileen Schlee, the Britten Pears Arts Criminal Justice Circle, the Nichol Young Foundation and The Unruly Pig.