Eye Inside a Female Prison
“I think that this as a project has had far more positive results than what I can write about. My own photographic documentary project was a beginning and a warm and opening experience for all of us. Then to be able to teach them continued my contact with them. I have opened up a world that had been forgotten, the community in Malmesbury now knows about them, that there are people out there – in there – who are real.” said Tracey Derrick Possibly the most important fact has been to alert the authorities about this small community.
The warders and head of prison themselves now realize how important it is for these women to be rehabilitated in some way. A feeling of life and activity needs to happen in there otherwise the women will continually fight and not move forward with their lives. The exhibition certificate ceremony that they had at the prison was a demonstration of this.
It was heartwarming to experience the effort that they had put into the ceremony. The organization, the way all inmates were included, the programme that they typed out, was very special. The conclusion I have made is that I never realized before how much I had been appreciated, it was very emotional and affirming for me.
“Thank you to the women inmates of the Malmesbury prison for sharing their lives with me, and the warders and prison authorities who facilitated this process.” - Tracey Derrick Suzanne Ackerman of Pick n Pay presented all 40 inmates with a Pick n Pay goodie bag which included a hairdryer, toiletries and basic cosmetics. Helping to make everyone feel special.