Within the Criminal Justice System
BearFace Theatre works in prisons, YOI's and with probation services providing bespoke creative arts projects for men, women and young people affected by the criminal justice system (CJS).
Using a combination of applied arts, group members are invited to step out of their often complex lives and become part of a collective that begins to ask wider questions about personal and social narratives.
BearFace come with no script or specific themes to work from and the programme is tailor-made to the individual group needs. There is no expectation to 'perform' however there is the opportunity to share the process of the programme with others at the final Celebration Event.
This is a partnership project with Hampshire Cultural Trust. Click here for information about their Criminal Justice work.
Speak Out, Listen In.
This exciting project, funded by Winchester City Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, used creative, engaging methods to inspire conversations about safety, fear of crime and community, across the Winchester district.
NEW video on its way WATCH THIS SPACE!!
BearFace created an original piece of headphone theatre exploring the Criminal Justice System through sound, creativity and spoken word. Co-created with serving prisoners in HMP Winchester, inspired by women on probation and young people, this performance was shared as part of Law Week 2025 and revealed often unseen or unheard perspectives
Speak Out, Listen In - Part 1
Speak Out, Listen In - Part 2
In response, BearFace then ran workshops with community groups from Trinity Winchester and Winchester Go LD, to inform and create work which was shared as part of a pop-up exhibition at The ARC, Winchester.
“Thank you for highlighting these significant topics and sharing often unheard voices within our community.”
The first poem was written collaboratively by men serving in HMP Winchester, the second poem was written collaboratively in response, by visitors to the community exhibition.
Collaborative Poetry
“I am so glad I made it to your presentation today - I was blown away! The juxtapositions of the stories were so moving - someone feeling unsafe around homeless people, and a homeless person feeling reassured by the presence of others. And having men’s stories read by women added another layer of reflection”
Feedback & Reflections
“It has made me recognise our commonalities and differences.”
“The drama workshop was fun and engaging - it was a brilliant way to help our members open up and make the subject matter accessible to them. They enjoyed it and we came away with some useful insights. It’s not often we get to explore topics in this way - it was brilliant!.”
“Change begins with individuals. Using the headphones provided a very powerful filter by letting us hear people, rather than stigmatising labels. As a result what they say moves from your head down to your heart. That is where real change begins.”
Thank you
Our thanks to Winchester City Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Law Week 2025, run by Winchester Cathedral.
HMP / YOI Winchester
Project
We have been working as part of the HMP/YOI Winchester community since 2018, running innovative and creative arts programmes with men and young offenders.
Hampshire and IOW Probation Services: Creating Change Programme
Project
We specialise in creatively amplifying the voices of men and women with lived experiences of the Criminal Justice System who are currently on probation.
HMP Send Women’s Prison Project
Project
In 2018 we worked with women from the PIPE unit at HMP Send and collaboratively developed a creative arts programme with the women and staff.
Participant quotes
"I’ve started to realise that there is a feeling of joy and pride when you challenge yourself."Group Member, HMP/YOI Winchester
"I came away from prison yesterday more uplifted than at any time in my nearly five years on the Independent Monitoring Board. What Jen and Kate managed to do in the short space of 2 hours was, in the literal sense, incredible. You turned a bunch of wary, cynical lads into enthusiastic team players.. And as for the end product - all I can say is "wow". Hard-hitting and really made me sit up and think"Audience Member, HMP/YOI Winchester
"I have nowhere to express myself on the wing. This is the only place I have to express how I’m feeling. It’s a new world for me when I come to this group. It’s helping me to better understand myself."Group Member, HMP/YOI Winchester
"The findings are overwhelmingly positive from all participants and articulated profound improvements in attitudes, thinking and behaviours. "Independant research on BFT work in HMP/YOI Winchester