Britten Pears Arts has an over 20-year relationship with HMP Warren Hill, a male adult prison situated only a 15-minute drive from Snape Maltings.

The music programme aims to create positive experiences for prisoners as part of their rehabilitation, help raise their confidence, and provide a space to build new skills by collaborating with professional musicians.

Annually we deliver two projects:

Performance: The performance project encourages the prisoners to work collaboratively to write and create a performance to be shared with guests by the end of the week. Previous themes have included aspiration and strength.

Recording: The recording project is an opportunity for the prisoners to record their own music to a professional standard, with the option to submit to the Koestler Awards.

In addition, we support family visits organised by Ormiston Families at both HMP Warren Hill and HMP Hollesley Bay. We offer musical activity for young people visiting relatives as a way of connecting.

With thanks to Community Ambassador Yvette Riby-Williams, and the artistic team for their work on this programme.

If you would like to find out more about supporting the Criminal Justice Circle, or memberships at Britten Pears Arts, please visit the Support Us page, email joinus@brittenpearsarts.org, or call the Development team on 01728 687116.

Our work in prisons is generously supported by Clive and Eileen Schlee, the Britten Pears Arts Criminal Justice Circle, and the Nichol Young Foundation.