For sometime now I have been intrigued by the subject of rehabilitation and the arts . I was particularly interested in the questions, where does art fit within the criminal justice system? Are there any benefits of the arts on people within the criminal justice system and does it help to promote rehabilitation or not ? I personally after having been convicted was referred via probation to a women’s centre who in turn referred me to a charity organisation called clean break.
Clean break are a theatre company which was set up by two women whilst they were in prison serving custodial sentences and felt there was a strong need for people to have access to the arts and a means to express themselves creatively whilst in prison . Clean break now has a studio that works to encourage and support women whom have had experience of the criminal justice system .
Whilst attending clean break my confidence began to grow as I had walked through the doors a broken woman . When I first walked into my class on the members program theatre makers I looked around and felt like a deer in headlights . I was so nervous and unsure of myself. I’m laughing as I write this now because it’s truly remarkable in just over a year how much I have actually transformed , grown and achieved .
Having a safe space and creative outlet was such a huge lifeline for me . I met some other incredibly talented and resilient women with whom I know I will maintain lifelong friendships with . More importantly though I found myself my true self and I realized how much I loved the craft of acting .
Through those friendships and word of mouth I learned of another theatre company named synergy whom also work with people with lived experience of the criminal justice system and outside edge who use the arts to support people struggling with substance addiction and mental health .
All I could think is I have found not just one tribe but three. How fortunate am I ? I am incredibly grateful to these organisations that were there for me at my lowest point when I thought I was useless and had no place in society or the world and nothing of value to contribute. These organisations showed me just how wrong I was . Its emotional to write and think about how far I have come and what I have achieved in such a short space of time. It’s very surreal.
I can now very proudly say I have performed an excerpt of orlando in clean breaks summer members festival , I have performed smitereens in brixton house with synergy , I have performed a short piece at LAMDA as I was awarded a bursary to attend a short course in the summer , I have featured in two short films , I have recently been awarded a full bursary for the acting diploma at royal central school of speech and drama and I will be auditioning at LAMDA next week so prayers and fingers crossed for me please. I was also honoured recently to be hired as a medical role player to help future doctors pass their medical examinations which due to personal reasons was so close to my heart and a real privilege to be able to use my gift to give back to the NHS and society .
I no longer feel hopeless, worthless or that I do not have a place in society or this world. I am a strong advocate for giving people a purpose as a part of rehabilitation whatever that purpose is, be it creative or not .
Direct quote from suzannah gale a friend and fellow member of clean break “ So long as artistic spaces are trauma informed and accountable to the needs of those who are being rehabilitated, there are exponential benefits to using the arts as a therapeutic means of changing lives as it provides a newfound freedom and builds crucial self esteem thats is needed to prevent reoffending and continuing the cycle of self destruction”
Since embarking upon my creative arts journey I have not reoffended nor do I have any desire to in fact It’s quite the opposite . Thanks to the opportunities I have been provided with, I am living a life beyond my wildest dreams and would never ever wish to jeopardise that . yes I feel strongly that the arts has a place within the criminal justice system and that it is a vital resource in enabling and affording people a different way in which they can express themselves and achieve successful rehabilitation and a meaningful life .
photo of me at clean break
Natasha Ankrah