Maybe it’s because I’m a Londoner that I love Pentonville’s book

There are some projects in prisons that are so clearly positive that you wonder why other places haven’t already started doing the same thing. Then there are others that obviously needed imagination and drive to get them devised and approved, plus considerable co-operation from outside to bring them to completion, so you hope someone else will copy the format.

I don’t know into which category I would put the results of HMP Pentonville’s ongoing collaboration with the London Museum and, to be honest, I don’t really care. It has now run for four years and works in every way you could possibly want. They combine art and prose, poetry and rap, with humour and depth, within quality booklets full of stories from inmates. These are then sent out for the community outside to enjoy, via the museum. They provide evidence that people in prison are just that; people who are at present in prison, and who await re-joining the outside world.

The story so far 

The latest publication, launched at the prison at the end of May, could well be the best. The first, ‘We are what we eat’ describing prison food, was honest and, all credit to the Governor for allowing it, included a graphic painting of a cockroach and other horrors. Michelin Guide it was not, but funny and creative it certainly was.

They then published ‘Changing London 1946-2022’, portraying the capital’s evolution since the Second World War. It was a fascinating insight into how those who wrote the individual contributions viewed those changes through the decades. Positives, negatives, nostalgic reminiscences, and regrets.

That was followed by ‘Imagining London 2050’, anticipating high-tech advances in all aspects of life, including within prisons. There was a lot of creativity in this book, and a desire to see technology used to enhance the lives of everyone and not just wealthy tech companies. In case you are wondering, this hoped-for outcome still seems far away.

‘Identity’ came next, with all contributors describing in words or through images how they see themselves. This was very deep, including contributions from prison officers, which allowed prisoners to see a different perspective shown by those who work walking prison landings whilst they are in their cells. 

It also gave those prisoners a chance to define themselves, and to consider how historic events and geographical disputes still shape day-to-day life. It also demonstrated how family history and ethnic background influence our thoughts, and give each and every one something special to contribute to life, and to shape their contribution to that book.

Hidden London 

I will come back to the launch event later, but for this edition the contributors had the opportunity to pick those aspects of London of which they know, and feature those to which they have a special attachment they wanted to share. They certainly grabbed the chance to express their thoughts. 

The topic was Hidden London. Work was submitted for consideration by 48 people, and it must have been hard to select which ones to publish as only 20 could be used. But consider this: that was 48 people who had been inspired by the Education team in the Ville to create something from within their hearts they wanted to display. 

I spoke to a number of those whose work was included, and they all agreed that before they entered Pentonville, they would not have imagined themselves producing creative writing or art to express their personal and hidden emotions in this way. Short memo to the Government – please reverse education cuts. If you want prison to ‘improve’ people, this is how you do it. By enabling self-expression. Not by closing classrooms.

The book itself 

I am not picking my favourite sections but will try and show you the range. We see the hidden communities, including the Travelling community who face abuse and discrimination which seems to still be considered acceptable even now. Then there are those who work from home hidden from view, plus those who keep our basic services such as sewage disposal working below ground. The book praised the cleaners who travel to work overnight and whose work keeps us all free from germs, but who are not appreciated as they should be. Indeed, they are all too often looked down upon.

Then there are secret societies who do not want to be seen, such as the Templars and Freemasons. Who knows, if I had ever been a member of one of those, perhaps I would not have been in Pentonville at all. Mind you, they probably would not accept me. I expect they have minimum standards. There are the different ethnic and religious groups who all add to our rich culture and quality of life.

In this book we find ‘built secrets’, physical structures in plain sight but not actually noticed. I learned there are streets hidden under Chinatown, evidence of which can be seen if you know where to look, and the Windrush tunnels in Clapham. These tunnels were built during World War II as bomb shelters. Later they were used as cheap accommodation by the Windrush generation, from where they would travel to work while saving to get a proper home. In 1951, those underground spaces were rented out to visitors to the Festival of Britain as cheap places to sleep. I never knew any of this. Education in prison is wonderful. And clearly for me, ongoing.

On to the launch day

We gathered in the Pentonville Chapel on a very hot morning. Had we been on the wings we would probably have baked, but we were just half-baked – and funnily enough, many of my ideas have been called that over the years. Each of those who spoke had been heavily invested in this project and were appreciated by the audience for that.

The first speaker was Amanda King, Pentonville’s Head of Skills and Art, who expressed her pride at the work done, which she said demonstrated the quality that is produced in the education department day after day.

Next, Beverley Cook, Curator of London Museum and the person who I think deserves much credit for this partnership. By the way, the new main London Museum building should open later this year in Smithfield, near Farringdon Station, and I have no doubt will win design awards for the innovations we will find. Beverley described London Museum as the custodian of the capital’s history. The Pentonville publications produced through this partnership are part of that and demonstrate a snapshot of prison life that will provide a permanent and important record of those who were there; a history of the prison and those who stayed there, even if their stay was rather reluctant.

Contributor Ashley could not be present but sent his thoughts, read out by Michael. He compared being in prison to being caged in London Zoo. It certainly struck a chord. Then Ian, with great zest, introduced us all to the previously-mentioned Windrush tunnels and their relevance to his family’s life and his childhood in our city.

Shaun had produced a collage showing fragmented London as well as his fragmented life. Then Jamie spoke, and it was he who referenced those members of the Travelling community. He depicted them under Tower Bridge and visible from the London Eye, as he wants them seen and acknowledged. Others had made great contributions to the publication. There was Adeyeye, Ayub, Badger, Barker, Brian, Daniel, David, Dean, Emran, Especial, Johnny, Justin, Kevin, Oladole, de SA, and Toby.

CM Clarke had written a poem but inconveniently had earned a promotion to the Scrubs so could not be with us, but Officer McCracken attended and read it out in her place. These two officers are great enthusiasts for educational projects and understand their value and it is so good, and indeed so right, that they have earned higher posts within the prison structure. Other officers should aspire to be like them. College lecturer Nick Osborne had advised on the architectural context. 

Finally, both José Aguiar and Helena Baptista, prison educators, closed the event. Jose was project lead, Helena project manager. Their combined drive ensures that vital teaching work carries on despite the daily difficulties found in prisons in 2026. I have never found such an imaginative range of options in any other prison. And credit must be given to those governors and others within the prison who have supported them in all their ventures through the years. 

Behind all the speakers had been a giant screen running through the contents of the book. Once the event closed and before we got fed by Liberty Kitchen, we all received a copy and had time to discuss what we had seen and heard over coffee, whilst collecting autographs from the creators.

I was particularly pleased to have a chance to meet members of the Pentonville IMB, the Independent Monitoring Board, volunteers who give up their time to visit prisons and keep a record of their observations which are regularly presented to management and published in an annual report. They have a vital role in keeping prisoners safe. I would really hope that the next time there is a formal inspection by HM Inspectorate of Prisons, that team will take the time to see this type of event, so they too recognise the value of their work and the impact it has. You cannot understand Pentonville until you do.

The last word

Working with the Museum staff on these books has been good for everyone, but the collaboration I enjoyed most had a different format. It ran from October 2022 to April 2023 when the Museum had a special exhibition on executions in London within the wonderful London Museum of the Docklands building near West India Quay station. That place is very much open. Do visit if you can. There may not be scenes of executions to look at anymore, but it teaches so much about our backgrounds.

In that special exhibition, students from Pentonville recorded the last words of some of those condemned to death and this was broadcast over the museum sound system in front of artists’ impressions of the executions described. It was extraordinary, imaginative, and chilling. And when I visited, I noticed a pile of the Pentonville books featuring prison food, on the book racks available for the public to take away. Fortunately, they were not on the café counter. They might have put people off their food, but there they were, proudly on display.

Note to all prisons: why not see if your local museums will work with you on joint schemes like this? Note to all museums: this approach really works for everyone. Please try it yourselves.