Author: PeN Project

The Photographic electronic Narrative (PeN) project shares photographs taken by trainees at LandWorks: an independent charity that provides a supported route back into the community for people in prison or at risk of going to prison.

Deer says: “seeing that a lot of people who work here used to be like us, it’s a symbol of hope…”

May 16, 2024

The first time I came to have a look around and meeting everyone and seeing everything, I just instantly was like this is what I want to do. Like I instantly knew. I just feel safe here and I find it hard to trust people, especially people like in authority or whatever, but I instantly … More Deer says: “seeing that a lot of people who work here used to be like us, it’s a symbol of hope…”

KJ says: “It always makes me really happy when everyone likes the food…”

May 2, 2024

“I was talking to my probation officer one day and I weren’t in the best of moods. He was asking me about what’s the matter and stuff like that, so I explained to him I’m just bored all the time and I just had too much time on my hands because I just didn’t do … More KJ says: “It always makes me really happy when everyone likes the food…”

Bob says: “All of this is down to LandWorks really. They set me on the path […] I do actually enjoy what I’m doing now”

April 18, 2024

Like I say, the LandWorks part helped me out tremendously really. It got me out of the prison every day, well, except obviously Saturdays and Sundays and they just used to let me get on with whatever I wanted to do, which was my bowls and things. The bowl-turning, yeah. Graham taught me how to … More Bob says: “All of this is down to LandWorks really. They set me on the path […] I do actually enjoy what I’m doing now”

John says: “…as much as they might be learning from you, you’re learning from people all the time, you’re receiving it back…”

March 27, 2024

This is a section from a transcript of a focus group carried out during the Inside Knowledge module run by the University of Plymouth at LandWorks in March 2024… Julie – What do you think are the key benefits of the enterprises at LandWorks? John – Oh, the list is so long … building self-worth, … More John says: “…as much as they might be learning from you, you’re learning from people all the time, you’re receiving it back…”

Amelia says: “It’s given me routine, structure, discipline and like friends…”

March 7, 2024

“…my probation officer, she was asking me to start coming for like a good six to eight months before I actually did, yeah, because I never used to really go out anywhere or do anything and I didn’t like going anywhere, so yeah, she kept saying that I’d really enjoy it and it would be … More Amelia says: “It’s given me routine, structure, discipline and like friends…”

JimBob says: ”this place taught me to be truthful and to say how it is…”

February 22, 2024

“I’ve done quite a lot of stuff here like. It made me feel a lot more like … it changed my way of life … there’s more to life and that. It makes you feel more like part of the community and makes me want to be able to do something with my life. Before … More JimBob says: ”this place taught me to be truthful and to say how it is…”

Rose says: “I like seeing the little changes in people…”

February 8, 2024

“So, I studied at the University of Plymouth, where I did sociology for three years and within that three years, I did a placement at LandWorks. So, I volunteered here pretty much every Thursday until lockdown got introduced. So yeah, I came out here every Thursday. I remember like my first impressions. Oh gosh, I’ve … More Rose says: “I like seeing the little changes in people…”

Josh says: “I’ve learnt, if I make a mistake, it’s easily rectified and if it’s not easily rectified, just start again…”

January 24, 2024

“I like being active and doing stuff, like woodwork and stuff, which being at LandWorks has helped me do. I just like being active and doing things. When I’m doing things, I don’t get myself into trouble with the police and stuff. So, I think it’s quite good for me to keep myself busy and … More Josh says: “I’ve learnt, if I make a mistake, it’s easily rectified and if it’s not easily rectified, just start again…”

Justina says: “sometimes trauma and bad things can make you into a better person…”

January 12, 2024

“I see Graham a lot. I love that. We have a laugh don’t we, and just making great stuff. We’re gonna be making that thing for * … a bin area, keep her bins safe so they don’t blow away […] Yeah, so we’ll be making that, and we’ll just be making like the benches … More Justina says: “sometimes trauma and bad things can make you into a better person…”

Lexa says… “You’re allowed to be a bit odd here, which is quite nice.”

December 14, 2023

“So, I’ve always had real interest in working with people who have been through the Criminal Justice System. I think when … yeah, when I was kind of like trying to decide what I wanted to study and things like that, criminology was kind of right up there and criminal psychology and kind of understanding … More Lexa says… “You’re allowed to be a bit odd here, which is quite nice.”