History

The Media Access Project (MAP) aims to support prisoners in HMP & YOI Grampian to return positively into the community, having used media as a unique development platform to address and overcome a range of issues prior to release.

The project, in partnership with HMP & YOI Grampian, is delivering the first cross-platform media programme within a UK prison. It offers a range of innovative opportunities for engagement in media to SQA level 5 in radio broadcasting and filmmaking as well as a vibrant and relevant course in music production, creative writing and other interests that prisoners may have linked to media.

Once prisoners have a good grasp of the core skills involved, they can choose to participate in a personal development and skills programme leading to on-going volunteering and peer mentoring opportunities in mediums of their choice where they can create work individually or with their peers.

During courses and as part of their own projects, prisoners frequently interview staff or their peers regarding services available in the prison and community. This leads to peer-led take up of services as well as the opportunity for agencies and service providers to engage more effectively with prisoners via the radio channel, or via powerpoint information on the prison cable network.

Pre-release, relationships built with MAP staff are broadened out and developed between participants and key service providers such as Housing and Job Centre Plus, in order to enhance supported and sustained positive destinations post release.

In addition to on-going support from the MAP and other key services post-release, support is provided to participants so they can continue to volunteer in media-based and other activities within the community linked to Shmu's extensive community media programmes in Aberdeen's regeneration areas.

MAP Outcomes

The three main outcomes are:-

Improved motivation, self-confidence and skills for participants in order to address their offending behaviour.
Increased engagement of participants with appropriate support services pre and post release
An increased number of participants reducing their risks of re-offending and securing positive destinations (volunteering, employment, training or education).

Aims of MAP

Impacts:

The primary benefit is to reduce risks of re-offending by offering participants -

positive life changes
increased empowerment and engagement
improved communication opportunities
increased inclusion in and ownership of service delivery
improved relationships
increased influence over decisions about engaging with services

With the added value of

enhanced service inputs
tailored service interventions
improved engagement with prisoners
improved prisoner/staff relationships
peer led encouragement for programme take up
realistic, relevant and meaningful mentoring
dissemination of examples of success
HMP & YOI Grampian seen as a centre of excellence

Key Personnel

Kirsteen Caldwell: Adult Engagement Manager
Kirsteen has been involved with MAP since it started back in 2015 - she has supported the work both in the prison and the community in a support and development capacity. Kirsteen is now working with the team to develop the next stage of the prison work and also expanding the community-based adult services strand within shmu.
Email: kirsteen.caldwell@shmu.org.uk

Kevin Warrander (Tev): Media Development Worker (HMP & YOI Grampian)
Tev is based in the Creative Media Unit in HMP & YOI Grampian. His role is to develop and deliver a variety of media-based and skills development programmes alongside the SPS Creative Media Unit Activities Officer and shmu media tutors. Tev also coordinates the production and broadcasting of our prison-based radio station Conair.
Email: kevin.warrander@shmu.org.uk

Sarah Igesund: Adult Support Worker
Sarah is our newest team member, joining the Adult Services team in September 2019. Sarah works with the prisoners in the Creative Media Unit, supporting their learning and development, as well as creating a coordinated package of support for their release. Sarah then supports these individuals in the community, offering practical and emotional support, as well as opportunities to engage in media groups, volunteering and employability support at shmu.
Email: sarah.igesund@shmu.org.uk

Activities Officer - Creative Media Unit (HMP and YOI Grampian)
The Activities Officer within the Creative Media Unit assists the MAP Media Development Worker in developing and delivering the different media programmes on offer to participants who attend this space. The Activities Officer is the first point of contact between MAP and the prison, providing a link to other prison staff and the wider prison population.

Description of Work

Station House Media Unit (shmu) were awarded a grant from The Big Lottery to run The Media Access Project (MAP) - a five year initiative in partnership with HMP and YOI Grampian to deliver the first cross-platform media programme within a UK prison.

The ethos of the project is to use media as a unique development platform to address and overcome a range of issues prior to release in order for participants to return positively into the community.

MAP offers a range of innovative opportunities for engagement in magazine production, creating and broadcasting prison based radio programmes, writing and recording their own music and film making. Participants can gain certified qualifications up to SQA Level 5 through MAP, as well as developing core skills such as team work, communication, IT, planning, literacy and numeracy. MAP also aims to increase participant's motivation and self-confidence looking to the future through an integrated throughcare support package.

MAP aims to reduce reoffending rates and increase the potential of prisoners returning to positive destinations upon release. MAP provides prisoners with a unique set of skills and encourages them to utilise these skills to help them into employment, further education or training. MAP also encourages prisoners to continue creating media in the community, feeding their experiences back into the prison and highlighting the benefits and value of taking part in the project to their peers.