Published 27 December 2012
Bringing Inside Talent Out
Issue 13 of Insider Access, an online magazine written, designed and edited by offenders in prison and ex-offenders, has recently been published.
The magazine was developed by Cementafuture with funding from the European Social Fund and is now a self supporting not-for-profit social enterprise. The magazine aims to provide offenders in prison with meaningful activity and informal learning which will help them develop skills that can assist with resettlement and employment once released.
For the reader, the magazine offers a wide range of content representing the interests and concerns of offenders and ex-offenders. There is art, photography, poetry, reviews, articles and opinion pieces. Some of the topics covered include housing, nature, science, cookery, health and social issues like prisoner rehabilitation and punishment. Issue 13 has articles on the appearance of black squirrels in Britain, the health applications of mistletoe, winter gardening tips, corporal punishment, plus contributions from top football referee Howard Webb on his experiences at Euro 2012, and a piece about Eco-design by Max McMurdo, a successful contestant from TV's Dragons' Den.
Insider Access is distributed to over 10,000 people, most of whom have an interest in reducing re-offending and the criminal justice system. Advertising in the magazine supports its production and other prison community projects by Insider Access.
Until May 2012, Cementafuture was a partner organisation in the ESF Innovation Transnationality and Mainstreaming Eco Advantage project. Insider Access is published using 3D Issue software purchased through the Eco Advantage project, and has been counted as an outcome of the project.
Looking forward, Insider Access is developing its work in a wider range of prisons through the creation of Insider Access Study Circles to extend the creation of content for the magazine, developing employability skills for participants which can give a focus on resettlement.
Robert Morrall, editor of Insider Access, said "Insider Access makes a real difference to offender lives, increasing self esteem, motivation and creates a 'can do' attitude which supports the reduction of re-offending".