• The Anne Frank Prison Project
By Steve Gadd, Project Manager
Introduction
The Anne Frank Prison Project and exhibition is not just about a young Jewish girl who died in the Holocaust and happened to write a famous diary.
The story of the Frank family both tragic and inspirational, is the example that is used to explore the rise of the Nazi party in Germany before the Second World War and the consequences for minorities. The Nazi’s believed the Aryan racial type to be superior and gypsies, gays, communists and many others were among those who did not fit their nationalist ideals. We point out how their stories can be linked directly to contemporary issues relating to prejudice and hatred, and attempt to show how these injustices still exist today. Sadly, it would seem we have not learned very much from the lessons of the past.
The Prison Project
The Anne Frank exhibition that we take into prisons in the UK, involves teaching a group of up to a dozen prisoners to be the exhibition guides, and to present the exhibition to all visitors; fellow prisoners, staff and invited guests.
I have been the principal guide for the exhibition for the last 3 years. At the beginning of the week, I try to put all guides at their ease before showing them around the exhibition. I tell them that they do not have to know every historical detail, but can interpret the material in their own style. Many guides know very little about Anne Frank, the history of the Second World War or the Holocaust before embarking on this project. I get a great deal of satisfaction when the guides start to make their own connections between what went on during the Nazi era and how these issues still relate to the present day.
Behaviour and skills
A large range of new skills are developed by prisoners whilst being exhibition guides. They learn about that period of history, and how to be mentors. This develops communication and debating skills, both of which require self-discipline and the ability to process information.
After a couple of days of involvement, the guides learn to equate and explain the similarities between the treatment of minorities in modern times with the evidence of history.
The Anne Frank exhibition places a great deal of emphasis on the individual’s moral as well as social responsibilities, and the choices that we all have to make in life. The guide mentors are essential to the success of the whole event, and deserve great credit for their enthusiasm and commitment to the aims of the programme.
It is noticeable how involvement in the exhibition increases the pride and sense of empowerment of the guides. Other prisoners witness this as they too are encouraged to learn from history. The words of Anne Frank and others who strived for equality and social justice, such as Martin Luther King, still provide inspiration by their example.
Working together
Through the exhibition, hatred and discrimination are demonstrated to be negative forces. We encourage people to embrace positive attitudes, responsibility and respect for others.
Occasionally a school group (as happened recently at HMP Elmley) is invited into the prison to visit the exhibition. It is good to observe the prisoner guides explaining to the children the significance of the material on display. Again, the guides act as mentors to the children, explaining the story of the Franks and the messages of the exhibition. It is extremely instructive for the children to see prisoners in a positive light. Not as stereotypical criminals, but as human beings. This is the first time that most children have been in a prison environment and it can be quite daunting for some of them. For the prisoner guides it is quite a poignant and humbling experience, educating the young to the dangers of hatred and violence. Many prisoners have children of their own of course, and are not able to be proper parents because of their sentence.
Rehabilitation
One aspect of the exhibition is about stereotypes and I would say that I am continually surprised by the thoughtfullness and knowledge of many prisoners. They are not stereotypes but human beings, many of whom have obviously made very serious mistakes in their lives but who we believe deserve another chance. It is therefore essential that they are given the opportunity to learn from their experiences so that they are better able to make the right choices whilst in prison, and on release. With such lessons learned, they have some of the necessary skills needed to take their place as worthwhile members of society.
Creative writing
Amongst other programmes that are central to the event is a creative writing workshop led by performance poet Leah Thorn. Leah is an acclaimed poet and film maker, who through exploring the power of words, is able to coax some extraordinarily powerful work from the prisoners in her workshop. She creates an environment in which they can share thoughts and feelings with honesty.
Out of animated conversation, out of risk taking and laughter, out of powerful moments of recognition and understanding, came moving, inspiring writing.
One of the poems produced by these sessions won the Sir John Cass Award for poetry as part of the Koestler Awards in 2007. We are rightly proud of this achievement.
The closing ceremony
Prisoners who attend Leah’s workshops often perform their work at the closing ceremony of the Exhibition. A highlight of this event is a visit from a Holocaust survivor as our guest speaker. These closing ceremonies can be extremely moving and are the culmination of the combined efforts of all involved. The prison Governor is always in attendance and local dignitaries are invited along as well as members of the press.
At this event, the guides are presented with Anne Frank Certificates and books in recognition and appreciation of their hard work and commitment to the project. The prisoners have on occasion been allowed to have their families attend this ceremony, and there is an added sense of pride in being able to demonstrate their achievements to family and friends.
In conclusion
One of the main strengths that I personally like about the exhibition is that it does not push any form of ‘political correctness’ down peoples throats! The last panel of the exhibition contains a quote of Anne’s with which I whole-heartedly agree: ‘the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands’.
