Teaching prisoners creative sewing boosts their employability and self-confidence, say those at Fine Cell Work
Fine Cell Work trains offenders to do high-quality, creative needlework in their cells. The aim is that the work helps foster hope, discipline and employability.
Those at the social enterprise want to help people to finish their sentences with skills, money earned and saved, and the self-belief that will help them avoid re-offending, as well as guiding them towards training and support on release.
Fine Cell Work works in 32 UK prisons with more than 600 prisoners each year. Prisoners are taught by volunteers and the sale of their work – from finely embroidered cushions in geometric designs, to cosy patchwork quilts – gives them a sense of connection to the world beyond prison. “For many of our stitchers, completing a Fine Cell Work kit may be the first time they have ever seen something through from start to finish,” says managing director Victoria Gillies. “The sense of satisfaction in making an entire product –…
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