Issue24-Summer2025 AI: Creative Exploration Iamnotonetoshyawayfrom referencinginnovativewriters, andgiventhatourthemeinthis thesummerissueisArti�icial Intelligence(AI),thetopic providesanidealin-roadtodiscuss oneofthegreatimaginationsin science�ictionwriting—andwhose workactuallypioneeredsciencefact. IsaacAsimovwroteandeditedover 500books,andamongstthemThe RobotSerieswhichintroducedthe ThreeLawsofRoboticswhichhas in�luencedscience�ictionandrealworldrobotics.Hecoinedtheterm “robotics”intheshortstory“Liar!” (1941).
Asimov’sworkshavebeenadapted to�ilmincluding“BicentennialMan” (1999)and“I,Robot”(2004).He accuratelypredictedhowtechnology wouldworkandthephrase“today’s science�ictionistomorrow’sscience fact”isattributedtohim.His visionarywritingsutilizescienceto explorethemessuchashuman progress,ethicaldilemmas,andthe relationshipbetweentechnologyand society.
Therefore,wehavetakenourregular featuresandappliedourimagination inadditiontoresearchingscience factssoastoconsidertheroleofAI innature,music,art,poetry,mental healthandwellbeing,aswellasthe futureofwork.Likeitornot,AIis nowverymuchpresentinourdayto-daylives,andevenwithinthearts manyseeitasaformidable collaborator,ratherthansomething
tocriticizewithoutunderstandingit, or,indeedtoletitraiseevenmore questions.Thisisonlythedawnof AIinourworld.
Additionally,Summer2025,Issue24 ofTimeInpresentsMagilligan writers’award-winningpoetryand shortstoriesfromListowelWriters’ Week2025.Threeawardsinthe poetrysection,andtwointheshort storycategories!Onceagainthese awardsgainedhighlightthehigh standardofliteraryachievements. Furthermore,theeditionpresents artworkscreatedforthePrisonArts Foundation(PAF)Imprisoned Imaginationexhibition2025, showcasingart,ceramics,music,and writingcreatedinMaghaberry, Magilligan,andHydebankWood CollegeandWomen’sPrison.
Asalwaysthiseditionwouldnot reachfruitionwithoutitspatrons, andsoIwishtotakethis opportunitytothankGovernorGary Millingforhisenduringsupportof theartsinprison.TothePAFBoard ofGovernors,ourChiefExecutive FredCaul�ield,andCo-Ordinator AdeleCampbell.Thelibrarian, Andrea,forherday-to-daysupport oftheWriters’Group,theStaffinthe CreationStationandPrintShopat Magilliganwhofacilitatedmany aspectsofthepublication.Thanksto myco-editor,ourgraphicdesigner, ourcoverdesigner,andallthe dedicated,seasoned,andnovice creativewriterswhoprovidethe articles,content,andskillstomake eacheditionare�lectionofthe productiveworkofeachcontributor.
Whosayscreativewritingcannot changeorshapeourworld?Itisa re�lectionofourinnerselves, in�luencedbyexperiences,beliefs, andthewayweperceiveand interpretourenvironment.So,like Asimov,whenweapplycritical thinkingtoourimagination,wecan lookatthefutureinnewways.Itis oftenwhenwebreakourown algorithmsandtakeacreative approachtoasubjectthatwecan understandchallengesandchange, andappreciatehowthisin�luences ourcommunitiesandhasfurtherreachingconsequences.
Finally,Ihavetoconfess,Iwas temptedtoinputsomekeywords intoanAIgeneratorandrequestit writethiseditorial,butneedlessto say,whileIamcuriousaboutAI's advancementsandoutputs,Idecided tocontinueusingmyownvoice, encouragingindividualexpression whileembracingdiscussion regardingthecontributionsand drawbacksoftechnology,intermsof convenience,creativity,innovation, andwell-being.
PamelaMaryBrown, Writer-in-Residence,Magilligan
New Frontiers NewFrontierscameto mindwhenIthoughtof AI,thethemeforthis issueofthemagazine. Giventhatthetechnology opensupsomanypossibiltiesforthe futureofsociety,andthatthis,my �irstforayasco-editor,willlikewise impactmyownpersonalfuture,I
Editorials Acknowledgements Sincerethanksareofferedtoallwhoplayedapartinthecreationofthismagazine,inparticularthecontributors, withoutwhomtherewouldbenopublication.Additionally,itwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthesupportof GovernorGaryMilling,ourCEOFredCaul�ield,PrisonArtsFoundationStaffandBoardofDirectors,thelibrarian AndreaandstaffinOnPointPrinting.SincereappreciationisextendedtoallPAFArtists-in-Residenceandprison educatorswhosupportedtheirstudentsastheycreatedtheirsubmissions.ParticulargratitudeisofferedtoJPWfor GraphicDesignandLayoutandRMcA,ourin-houseartist,fortheevocativeandbespokecoverart.
thoughitsomewhataptasasubject toexplore.
Theprospectscanbeveryexciting.As wecanseefromthearticleswithin, AIwillhaveahugeimpactonthe worldandissettobeoneofthemost, ifnotthemost,transformative technologiesinthehistoryofour species.
Whatstruckmereadingthearticles, andinconversationwiththewriters, wasthefearthatexists,evenamongst thosethathadthemostpositive thingstosay.Icompletelyunderstand this.Ihaveconcernstoo.But,ifyou drilldownintoit,Isuspectthefear isn’tofthetechnologyitself,butof whatwe,thehumanspecies,willdo withit,ormorespeci�ically,whatbig corporationsandstatebodies involvedinitsdevelopmentwilldo withit.
So,it’sgoodthatweexpressourfears. Let’skeeptalkingaboutthem,and usethatconversationtokeepacheck onwhatthepowers-that-bearegoing todo.Butlet’salsofocusonthe positives:thehopesanddreamsof whatthetechnologycouldallowusto achieve.Thearticlesfeaturedheredo exactlythat.Theykeepthe conversationgoing.
Thearticlescoverawiderangeof contextsinwhichAIwillcreate change,givingalittletasteofhow revolutionaryitcanbeandhowmany partsofourliveswillbetouched.
ButasidefromAI,it’sexcitingtosee withinthesepagesallthat’sbeen goingonwithintheprisonsand beyond.Thatprisoners,andexprisoners,aregettingopportunities toexploretheircreativityistobe celebrated,andPAFistobelauded forallthesupport,encouragement andfacilitationthattheyprovide.
Finally,it’swonderfultosee,once again,anothersuccessfulexhibition at2RoyalAvenue(page13),where peopleintherealworldgetarare opportunitytoseetheskillsand talentsthatexistbehindbars.It’s greattoseeHonestJimwithhis regularfeature(page4),andBigL DownattheHUB(page10)backfor hissecond(ofmany,Ihope)update.I shouldaddthatBigListheauthorof MemoirsofaBelfastBoywhichis availableonline,andcomeshighly recommendedfromushereatTime
Contents AI has the potential to re-define diagnosis and understanding mental illnesses… Thetitlewasthe�irst thingthatcametomind whentaskedwith writingthispieceon mentalhealthandAI.
ThequestionIthinkrelevantto thisis—Howmanypeoplewill havetobelosttosuicideor becomesobroken,andare completelybeyondhelp,beforeAI deliversinformationtothe powersthatbethattheway forwardistohelppeoplewhen they�irstexperiencemental healthissues,andnotbeleftin limbosufferingorfallingintoselfdestructmode,ortakingtheir ownlifeorsomeoneelse’s?
IwonderwillAIbelistenedtoor willtheusualthinghappen,and noonewilleverknowAI’s conclusion.Theinformationwill behiddenawayforhundredsof yearswithotherimportant information.Iwouldloveto�ind outAI’sconclusionintermsof whatshouldbedonewith someonewhohascommitteda crimebuthashadadverse childhoodtraumaswhichhas affectedmostoftheirlife?What aboutprisons?WhatwillAImake oftheconceptofprisonsandhow theydon’twork?Howexcitingit willbeto�inallygetasolution. Wherehumanshavefailed,canAI pickupthepieces?
Regardingothertopics,whatwill AImakeofcompaniesdrillingfor oilandgasintotheearth’scrust?
Thesaturationoftheearthwith mercurytoobtaingoldfromthe ground?Thecuttingdownof trees?Allthesethings,especially, haveaneffectonpeopleallover theworldintermsoftheirmental health.Aslongasmoneycanbe extracteditseemsnoonecares abouttheordinaryperson’sneeds outsideofgreedandgain.
AnotablestrongpointaboutAIis theabilitytorapidlypatternanalyselargestructured collectionsofdata.Yet,whileAIis moreprevalentinmedicineand physicalhealthcare,thediscipline ofmentalhealthhasbeenslower toadoptit. Mentalhealth practitionersaremorefocused towardpatient-centredpractices, takingasofterskillsapproach, includingbuildingrelationships andtrustwithpatientsanddirect observationofbehavioursand emotions.AIhasthepotentialto re-de�inediagnosisand understandingofmentalillnesses butthechallengeisthatwestill havelimitedunderstandingof biological,psychologicaland socialsystems.Thereare discussionsaroundprediagnosisscreeningtools, andidentifyingtherisk ofdevelopingmental healthissues,bothof whichcould personalise mental healthcarein thefuture.
Navigating Mental Health The Role of AI “ResponsibleAIisnotjustabout liability—it’saboutensuringwhat youarebuildingisenabling human�lourishing.”
RummanChowdhury (CEOatParityAI,2023) Ultimately,AI’sinvolvementin mentalhealthhastobeabout improvingcareforindividuals, and,ultimately,makingthosewho caninstigatechangelistentothe recommendations.
BT,Magilligan
Everyfewyearsscientists comeoutwithspectacular announcements.They clonedasheep,“Dolly,”to proveitwaspossibleand GeneticallyModi�ied(GM)crops wereyetanotherfeatthataimedto geneticallyaltercertaincropsto makebiggerandbetterharvests.
Duringtheseventiestheypredicted thatinafewdecadesthewhole worldwouldberunbyrobots.Fifty yearslaterandthiswriter’sviewis thattheirpredictionsarewelloff target.Someroboticsareusedin industry,mostnotablyincar manufacturingandtherewasthe “SinclairC5”,brainchildofClive Sinclair.This“vehicleofthefuture” wasbasicallyathreewheeled capsuleshapedcar.Youjustsatin thesmallcockpitanddroveor pedalledoff.
Fastforward,andwhywouldanyone wantaself-drivingcar?Wouldyou reallyfeelsafedoingeightydown themotorwayinacarthat’sdriving itself?Andattheriskofsounding �lippant,whowouldpay�iftygrand forsuchacar?Whynotsaveyour �iftygrandandpaysomeoneelseto letyousitontheirbackseatinstead: ataxidriverforexample?You’d probablyfeelsafer.
Thelatestbuzz-phraseis“Arti�icial Intelligence”(AI).Thisinvolves advancedmachinesthatarecapable ofthinkingforthemselves.That’sthe theory,buthowdoesitstackup?
AccordingtoArendHintze, researcherandProfessorat MichiganStateUniversity,thereare fourmaintypesofAI.
ReactiveMachines:verybasic systemsthathavenomemoryand consequentlycannot“learn”.They takeinformation(suchaspurchase history)andproduceoutputs(such asproductrecommendations), outperforminghumansinthehuge amountsofdatatheyprocess. ExamplesincludeIBM’sDeepBlue chessplayingsystemandNet�lix recommendations.
LimitedMemory:canremember pasteventsorsituationsandlearn fromthem.Thesememoriescan thenbeusedtoin�luencefuture decisionsthatthemachinemakes. Limitedmemorymachinesareused inairportstokeeptrackofmultiple �lightssimultaneously,controltraf�ic
lightsand eveninthe manufacture ofself-driving cars.
Theoryof Mind:can understand thethoughts andemotions ofother entities.Itis purely theoretical howeverand hasnotbeen achievedor establishedto date.Itis currentlyaboutas scienti�ically realisticaswarp speedisonStar Trek.
Honest JIM Would you really feel safe doing eighty down the motorway in a car that’s driving itself? Self-Aware:theapex technologybutagainis purelyhypothetical.It involvesmachinesthatareactually self-awareandconsciousoftheir surroundings.Thesemachinescould decidewhattheywantandhowto getit.Forexample,aself-awareAI coulddecideitneededanoilchange oracoatofpaint.Thisagainis purelytheoreticalandmanybelieve itwouldbebestifsuchtechnology wasneverrealised.Itiswaybeyond anythingthathumanscanachieve.
AIdiagnosticsarenowwidelyused incertainaspectsofhealthcare.In radiologyforexample,variousforms ofscanscanbeusedtolocateand identifyanillnessordiseaseinsidea patient’sbody.Cancers,broken bones,brainhaemorrhagesor arterialblockagescanbediagnosed byscanslikeComputedTomography (CT)orMagneticResonance Imaging(MRI).Theseformsof scans,alongwithotherssuchas DexaScans(usedtoidentify osteoporosis),providedoctorswith athreedimensionalimageof theinsideofapatient’s body.Thisisfar more
usefulthanastandardx-rayandcan leadtoabetterchanceofrecovery forthepatientwhohopefullycan returntohis/hernormallife.
Allinall,AIhashugepotentialfor thefuture.Itisalreadyproving helpfulinthespheresofhealthcare, �inanceandtransportationsystems. Butalotmorescienti�icinnovation isrequiredbeforewestarttalking aboutmachinesthatcandiagnose theirownneedforapaintjob,or beforewethinkaboutself-driving cars.Lotsofthisisstillstrictly hypothetical,likewarp-drivefor interstellartravel.Beammeup Scotty.
HonestJim
The evolution in gaming with Artificial Intelligence has only really just begun Arti�icialIntelligenceis transformingtheGaming Industryatan unprecedentedpace.
Fromthehyper-realistic Non-PlayableCharacters(NPCs)to thepersonalisedexperiencesin gaming,AIhasrede�inedthe creationofthegamesweplayand hasmonetiseddesign.
Gamessuchas“TheLastofUsPart 2”utilisedAItocreatetheNPCsthat populatedtheworldwithinthat game,whichreactemotionallyand thereforetacticallytotheir environments.Researchfrom Newzooputforwardthat70%of gamedevelopersinvestedinAIpowereddesignofcharactersto enhanceimmersion.AI-drivenNPCs liftgameplayandthestorytelling, interactionsmadelifelikeand engaging.
Gameslike“NoMan’sSky”and “Minecraft”useAItodevelop endlessworldsandunique experiencesfortheplayers’ gameplay. “NoMan’sSky”usedAIto createthebillionsofplanetswithin thegame.Itwascalculatedthat,ifa playerweretotraveltoeachworld, itwouldtaketheentireageofthe Earthtocompletethejourney.This wasenabledbyproceduralcontent generation(PCG)withoutmanual intervention.
By2028,withtheimmersionofAI integratedwithVRandARgaming, thegamingmarketisexpectedto reach$90billion.AIpowered chatbotsandvoiceassistantswill ultimatelyimprovein-game
communicationandtechnical support.Virtualrealityassistants willpermitplayerstogeneratevoice commandsforreal-timeactions.
Gameslike“StarWarsJedi:Fallen Order”integratesAI-drivendialogue for�lawlessgamer-to-NPC interactions.AccordingtoGartner, “AI-drivencustomersupportin gamingwillhandle85%ofplayer inquiriesby2026,streaminggame assistance.”
Arti�icialIntelligenceingamingis transforminggametestingby improvedbugdetectionandshear qualityassurance.Gametesting generallyrequiredalotofhuman effort,butnowAIbotscan effortlesslysimulatethousandsof scenariosofgameplaytodetect glitchesandunintended inconsistencies.Hugegaming companieslikeUbisoftuseAIpoweredtoolstotestthequalityof theirsoftwaretodetectbugsmore ef�iciently,thereforereducing developmenttime.Accordingtoa reportbyGrandViewResearch,“AI inthegamingmarketisexpectedto growataCAGRof23.3%from2021 to2028,partiallydueto advancementsinAI-based testing.Automatedtesting ensuresthatgamesarepolished andreadyforlaunch, improvingplayer satisfactionandreducing post-release patches.”
Lastly,the gamingfuture willseethe NPCs
becomingmorelifelikeandmore reactivetotheplayersgameplay. NPCswillnowanalyseplayers’ behaviourandchangetheir responses.OpenAI’sGPTmodelsand DeepMind’sAIhavedemonstrated thecapabilitiesinnaturallanguage processingandsensibledecisionmaking.Thiswillcontribute signi�icantlytothegamingindustry toaprojected$321billionof generatedrevenueby2026.
Conclusion:
AIingamingwillultimatelyforever alterthegamingindustry,pushing theboundariesofcreativity.The evolutioningamingwithArti�icial Intelligencehasonlyreallyjust begun—whattrulycomesnextin gaming,isanybody’sguess—butit’ll begamechanging.LOL.
JWMC,Magilligan
AIhasthepotentialto generatemanypositive changesinsociety.Itcan enhanceoverall productivity,improve healthcareanddemolishobstacles toeducation,aswellashelpsolve complexproblems. Generallyit couldmakeourliveseasier.
Others,ofcourse,takeadimmer view.Theyseeitasadisruptive forcethatwillturnmanythingson theirhead.Mostprominentamong theobjectionsisthatitwilldeprivea lotofpeopleofwork.Ithasbeen estimatedthatAIcouldreplacethe equivalentof300millionfulltime jobsandthattwothirdsofjobsin theUSandEuropeareatrisk.Infact, itisthoughtthatasmanyastwo millionmanufacturingworkers couldbereplacedbyAIbythisyear.
Muchcustomerserviceinteractionis carriedoutbyAIalready. Receptionistsarefrequently supplanted(by,forexample, AimeReception,anAIwhichcansee, listen,understandandtalkwith guestsandcustomers)and accountants,researchers,analysts, warehouseworkersandretailstaff (thelistgoeson)areatrisktoo.As wecansee,theimpactwillbehuge.
Gaming? Isthisnotabitofa narraowassessment?
Dowelackthe imaginationtothink beyondthecurrent workinglifemindset?
Ifweallowourselves tothinkbigger,AIcan allowustoabolish work.
Whatdoesthatmean?
Itmeansthe abandoningoftheidea thatwemustuseup ourenergyandtime carryingoutactivities that,truthbetold,wedon’t reallywantto.IfAIcangettoa stageofdevelopmentthatitcan lookafterallourbasic needs(completely automatedfarms, deliveryservices, warehouse management,house buildingandallthose kindsofthings)then weneednotdoit ourselves.Insucha situation,nobody needstoworkanymore.
AIand the Future of Work Do we lack the imagination to think beyond the current working life mindset? And,incaseyou’reworried,the alternativetoworkisn’tidleness.It neednotbeacasewheretherobots aredoingeverythingsohumanity suffersfromhavingnothingtodo.In reality,wecandowhateverthehell welike.
BobBlack,inhisessay
TheAbolitionofWork , callsit‘play’,orthe ludicrevolution.He doesnotmeanplayin thechildren’ssenseof theword,butinaway thattakesinanyand allactivitythatisdone voluntarily.Ifan activityisforced(by theneedtoearna wageforexample) thenitiswork. Otherwise,itisplay.
Thecountertothishowever,isthat anylossofjobswillbeoffsetbythe creationofnewjobs.Someevensay thatAIwillcreatemorejobsthanit replaces.
Butisallthisdebatearoundjob numbers,whowillworkwhereand howpeoplewillearnmoney, underestimatingthepotentialofAI.
WithAI,theremaybe thepotentialfortrue freedom.Ifyoufancy tendingtothegarden, haveagoatit.Ifnot, theAIwilllookafterit. Ifyoufancybuildinga shed,youarefreetodo so.Youcanevencut downandprepare yourownwood:ifyou
choose.Otherwise,therobotswilldo itallforyou.Justletthemknow whatyouneed.
Thisallmightsoundutopian,butthe potentialisthere.So,workersofthe world,don’tpanic…relax.AImight justsetyoufree.
JPW,Magilligan
PAF At A Glance: Creativity with Purpose Across Northern
Ireland’s prisons,creativityis transforminglives. Frommusicandwritingto sculptureandvisualart,the PrisonArtsFoundation(PAF) helpspeoplebehindbarsexpress themselves,buildcon�idence,and rediscovertheiridentity.These aremorethanjustprojects— they’repersonaljourneysthat proveyourvoicematters,andit’s nevertoolatetostartanew chapter.
The Calendar Project 2025 Theuniqueartworkandtext originatedfromanin-house writingandartcompetitionheld duringMentalHealthAwareness WeekinJune2024.Thecalendar wasdesignedtobesuitablefor usebyprisonersandserveasa giftforChristmas.Twelvewinning pieceswereselectedtorepresent eachmonth,highlightingpersonal journeysofresilienceand recovery.Imageswereselectedto representeachmonth,with speci�icdateshighlightedthat mightholdinterestorsigni�icance
toindividuals.Thecalendar’s creationinvolvedtheuseof MicrosoftPublisherandspanned severalmonths.Thedesign conceptaimedforcohesion,while ensuringeachmonthcouldstand independentlyas well.Thecalendar wasprintedand distributedwithin theprisonandto community partners, showcasingthe transformative powerofcreativity inraisingmental healthawareness.Thesizewas carefullyselectedtoallowfor convenientdesktopplacement whilemaintainingportability. The projectwasacollaborationwith thePrisonerSafetyandSupport TeamatMagilligan.
GM,Magilligan
Prisons Week: Letters from Prison Thecreativewritinggroup producedabookletanthologyof lettersforPrisonsWeek,13-19 October,2024.PrisonsWeekaims toraise‘awarenessandgenerate prayer’and‘providesanannual focusandreasonforChristiansto worktogether,’the writers’group wantedtheletters toconnectwith andreachouttoall individuals, families,and communities affectedbyprisons, bothsecularand non-secular.
Thewritingshared theindividual
prisoner’sexperienceofprisonin theformofaletterthatwasgiven bychurchcommunities throughouttheNorthofIreland andtotheirparishionerstohelp raiseawarenessandsupportfor anyoneaffectedbyprisons, includingprisoners,families, victimsofcrime,andthose workinginthecriminaljustice system.
Eachletterwasdistinctintermsof content,expressingthe individuals’experiences,hopes, fears,worries,concerns,and re�lections:
‘TherippleeffectofwhatIhave doneandwhoithasaffected hasbeenmassive.Ihavelost myrelationshipwithmyson recentlybecauseofmebeingin prison,andthefactthatheis strugglingoutthereandIam nottheretohelporguidehim, whichismyfaultbutIknowhe lovesmebutIdon’tthinkhe canforgivemeformakingthe choiceImadetoendupin prisonandinturnleavinghim outtherewithoutadad.Thisis somethingIwillworkonuntil I’mabletoreconcilewithhim.’
Thegroupdiscussedthecontent, encouragededitsand/oradditions whereappropriate.
Thelettersprovedtobepopular duringOctober2024andthe prisonchaplainlaterexplained thattheyhadtodoasecondprint runofthebooklets.
Asaresultofdonationsmade duringprisonsweek,theprison chaplaingenerouslymadea£250 donationtoPAF,helpingtoensure ongoingsupportforprisonersand creativeexpression.
Thisyear,Prisoners’Sundaytakes placeon12October2025.
Babadoo & Friends Theproject,throughthemedium ofnonsenseverseandAIgeneratedimages,wasenvisioned toentertainchildren,especially thosevisitingtheirparent(s)in prison.Theprojectrevolved aroundacollectionoforiginal nonsensepoetrythatprovidedkey wordstogeneratecorresponding
charactersandavarietyof imaginarycreatures,eachwith uniquefeaturesandpersonalities.
Arangeofimageswereproduced, andthepoetinvolvedinthe projectcarefullyselectedthose thatmostcloselyalignedwithhis originalvision.Followingthis selection,aprocessofgraphic designensued,withlayout, colouring,andadditionalcreative elementsbeingmeticulously craftedanddiscussedamongthe teammembersbefore�inal implementation.
Adecisionregardinginclusiveness andmultilingualismwasmadeby incorporatingpagesthatshowcase variouswaystosay“hello,” “goodbye,”“please,”and“thank you”fromacrosstheglobe.
Itisanticipatedthatcollaborating withLibrariesNIwillresultinthe bookbeingavailableforLibraries Week.Copieswillalsobe distributedin‘visits’atMagilligan, Hydebank,andMaghaberry.
Somefeedbackfromthebooks availabilityatthe‘Imprisoned Imagination’artexhibition included:
“Myyoungboywascompletely captivatedbyit.Hewasso engrossedthatheforgotIwas eventhere,hewasjustfocusedon thebook.Itwascleartoseethe fascinationandjoyitbrought him.”
“Myboyswilllovethis,especially mysix-year-oldwholikesbooks withpeculiarcharacters.”
Creativity for Wellbeing and Recovery ARTernative: Change Through Creativity TheARTernativeprojectused grouparttherapytohelp participantsexplorethemesof identity,addiction,andprisonlife.
Onestandoutproject,Insideand OutsidethePrisonCell,featured hand-craftedboxesrevealing deeplypersonalstories.
Theimpact?Improvedmental health,fewerdisruptions,and strongerrelationshipswithstaff andpeers.Oneparticipant describedthesessionsas “therapeutic”and“motivating.”
Interestedinjoining?Speakto DonardCentrestaff,PAFArt TherapistChristineMcSherry,or thePSSTeam,Maghaberryprison.
Creative Recovery: Art That Speaks of Struggle and Strength Agroupofmentacklingaddiction createdCreativeRecovery ,a strikinginstallationofpainting, sculpture,andwriting.LedbyPAF andSouthEasternHealthand SocialCareTrust(SEHSCT),theart therapyprojectencouraged honesty,healing,andconnection.
Displayedinanin-house exhibition,theworkmovedstaff andprisonersalike.Asone participantsaid,“Artspeakslouder thanwords”—andinthiscase,it trulydid.
Wanttotakepart?Speakto ChristineMcSherryortheSEHSCT PrisonHealthcareTeam Maghaberryprison.
Too Many Birthdays Club: Ageing, Insight and Expression AtDavisHouse,olderprisoners createdapowerfulbookofpoetry andartworkre�lectingonageing behindbars.Originallyapersonal re�lection,itbecamearesourcefor allprisonersandisnowgivento menontheir�irstnight.
Asecondeditionisalready underway,exploringhousingand lifeafterrelease.
Interestedincontributing?Speak toLearning&SkillsorPAFArtistin-ResidenceLucyTurner, Maghaberryprison.
Creativity Beyond the Walls: Outreach That Inspires Change PAF’soutreachwork goesbeyondprison gates.Artist-inResidenceStephen GreervisitedProbation BoardNorthern Ireland’s(PBNI) PortadownServiceUser
performances,readings,andthe launchofTimeInmagazine.Author CarloGéblerspokeaboutthe powerof�indingyourvoice throughart,whileStevieGreer, nowaprofessionalartistandPAF Artist-in-Residence,sharedhow creativityhelpedhimturnhislife around.
KoestlerArtscerti�icateswere awarded,andadonationfrom FatherKevinMulhernforPrisons Week2024wasgratefullyreceived.
Hydebank: Marking Koestler Success Grouptoshowhowartcansupport personaldevelopmentandpositive diversion.Meanwhile,Writer-inResidencePamelaBrownleda sessionatBallymena’sServiceUser Group,encouragingparticipantsto usewritingtore�lect,grow,and reconnectwiththemselves.
Theseeffortsshowthatcreativity canchangelivesonbothsidesof thewall—supporting #ChangingLivesandbuilding #SaferCommunities.
Celebrating Talent and Achievement Magilligan: A Day of Creativity and Recognition InDecember2024,Magilliganheld aspecialcelebrationfeaturinglive
InJanuary2025,Hydebankhosted its�irstCelebratingCreativityand Achievementevent.CarloGébler readfromtheaward-winningpiece WhyAmINotDrivingHomeWith MyTeabags,beforehandingout Koestlercerti�icatestoproud recipients.
PAFCoordinatorAdeleCampbell remindedthegroup:“You’veused creativitytotake controlofyourstory— youinspireallofus.”
artworkmadeinsidehasreal valueontheoutside.
InFebruary2025,PAFcelebrated theachievementattheDonard Centre,withcerti�icatespresented andwordsofencouragement shared.Oneparticipantsummedit up:“Theawardsshowedusthat creativitycanopendoors.”
Connecting With the World Outside No Comment Exhibition: Voices Heard in London BetweenNovemberandDecember 2024,London’sSouthbankCentre hostedNoComment anational exhibitionofprisonerartwork curatedbyJeremyDellerandJohn Costi.Ofthe200+worksshown, ninecamefromNorthernIreland.
agallery�illedwithemotion, insight,andhope.
Guests—includingtheDeputy FirstMinisterandseniorNIPS of�icials—praisedthedepthand honestyofthework.Formany,it wasapowerfulreminderofthe talentandpotentialoftenhidden behindwalls.
Remembrance Behind Bars: Honouring Service and Sacrifice Prisoners,includingformer servicemen,createdtwoceramic poppywreaths—onenowstands inHydebank’sMemorialGarden, theotherwasgiftedtotheSomme NursingHome,unveiledby SSAFA’sTommyLinton.
Maghaberry: Koestler Excellence on Display Maghaberrysubmitted morethan100creative entriestothe2024 KoestlerAwards.Three weresoldandsixwere donated—provingthat
PAF’sArtists-in-Residence travelledtoLondontorepresent themenandwomentheysupport inside,helpingtoraisethepro�ile ofprison-basedartandensuring thattheartists’voiceswereheard loudandclear.
Freedom Through Art: Exhibition in the Community InDecember2024,artfrom HydebankandMaghaberrywas exhibitedattheBarrel&Bean CaféinDromore.Thecafébecame
Art, Insight, and Global Recognition Correctional Research Symposium: International Focus on Rehabilitation InMay2025,Belfasthostedthe�irst CorrectionalResearchSymposium , bringingtogetherexpertstoexplore whattrulyworksinrehabilitation.
JusticeMinisterNaomiLongopened theeventwiththismessage: “Rehabilitationisnotjustabout punishment—it’saboutpotential.” PAFgiftedapaintingbyprisonartist
Wanttogetinvolved?Speakto TommieLinton(Start360)orPAF ArtistLucyTurner,Magilliganor Maghaberryprison.
Get Involved: Share Your Story, Shape Your Future Ifyou’vebeeninspiredbythestories above,knowthis:youcanbepartof whatcomesnext.
Whetheryoupaint,write,playmusic, sculpt—orjustwanttotry somethingnew—PAFoffersregular workshopstohelpyouunlockyour creativity,buildcon�idence,and shapeyourfuture.
Speak to a PAF Artist, Writer, or Musician-inResidence to get started.
Yourstorymatters.Letitbeheard. AC,PAFCoordinator
BobbyMathieson,whichfeaturedon commemorativebiscuittinsgivento alldelegates—provingthatprisoner creativityhasglobalreach.
Onthe29November2024
aninauguralconcertof spokenwordandmusic heldatMagilliganalso sawthelaunchofthis year’seditionofAllInmagazine.
Theeventwasattendedbyprisoners aswellasBeverelyWall,Director General,DavidKennedy,Directorof PrisonsforNIPS;FredCaul�ield, ExecutiveDirectorPrisonArts Foundation(PAF);Magilligan ActivitiesGovernorColinRice;and representativesfromStart360and AD:EPT.
All In Magazine Across-borderpublication,thethird issueofAllIn ,involvingsubmissions fromthreeprisonsintheNorthand fourteenprisonsintheSouth, supportedtheWriters’Groupand thenewCreativeMediagroupat Magilliganingainingadditional skillsingraphicdesignduringtwo workshopsovertwodaysinApril andJune.
TomShortt,co-editorandArts Of�icer,IrishPrisonEducation Service,complementedthewriting andartshowcasedintheedition addingthat,‘despitebeingcutoff fromsociety,prisonershavemadea signi�icantcontributiontoculture, educationandcrossbordercooperationattheheartofsociety.’
PamelaBrown,co-editorandPAF Writer-in-ResidenceatMagilligan Prison,saidthat‘collaborationis innovationandwhileweoftencreate inisolation,webringelements togethertocloseoffproductionand whatishereachievesamazing resultsinouraccomplished,new lookAllInamodelforteamwork.’
MaGNitude ‘I would love to see more music programmes in prisons.’ –Liam Kelly The Concert ThePAFMusicgroupandMusicianin-ResidenceatMagilligan,Jonathan Bailiemustbecommendedforthe worktheyputintorehearsaland performance.Thegenresofmusic representedincludedoriginal singer-songwriter,country,punk rock,alternativerock,electronically generatedmusicaswellasMexican Folksong.Therewerepoignant coversofwell-knownclassicswithin thesecategorieshighlightingthe phenomenalrangeofthecollective.
Theremayhavebeenissueswith thesoundsystembutitisfairtosay thattheequipment,somewhat outmoded,didn’timpedeorinhibit theperformers.Importantly,the worksshowcasedversatilityand passiondemonstratingthepotential thatcanbeachievedinthefuture withadequatefundingsupportto upgradetheequipment.
Spoken Word LiamKellytooktheleadduringthis sectionoftheevent.Liam,anexprisonerandanadvocateforPAF, haswrittenMemoirsofaBelfast BoyavailableonAmazon.He outlinedhis�irst-handexperienceof thecreativewritingworkshopsin Magilliganand,crucially,beingable tocontinuewritingafterhisrelease throughPAF’ssupporthubin Belfast.
Anotherprisoner’sspokenword piececentredonametaphoroflife asparalleltoclimbingamountain, howweendureandsurvive obstacles.Thiswasa�irsttime performanceasaspokenword artist,makingtheeventabout con�idencebuildingandshowcasing abilitiesfromthebeginnertothe moreaccomplishedperformer.
SpeakingaftertheeventLiamKelly said,‘whileIperformedaspartof
thespokenwordIwouldlovetosee moremusicprogrammesinprisons.’
Artwork StephenGreer,ex-prisonerand artist,nowaPAFfacilitator,was emotionalwhenhespokeabout AlisonWilson,hisartteacherwho helpedhimgainquali�icationsand con�idenceinhisart.
Stephen’scurrentclassinMagilligan isaleisureclasswherepeoplecan �indtheirownpersonalcreative spark.Establishedartistscontinue togrowandpracticetheirskills whereasbeginnerscanlearnfrom scratchanddevelop.
Stephensaid‘PAFdon’tonlygive prisonershope,theygivethema future.’
Followingonfromtheeventa prisonerinMagilligansaidthathe hasbeeninprisonfor‘overten years,andI’veneverseenanything likethis.’Hewasthankfultogeta copyofAllInmagazinedueto havingfamilyintheSouthandfelt themagazineformedalinkwith them.Hehasnowjoinedthewriters group.
PMB,PAFWriter-in-Residence, Magilligan
PAF at Buckingham Palace Iampleasedto sharethatI attendedthe gardenpartyat BuckinghamPalaceon14th May2025.Theeventwasdesigned torecognizeindividualswhohave madesigni�icantcontributionsto the�ieldsofEducationandSkills. Theeventcelebratedthosewho shapethefutureofeducation,break barriersandchampioninclusivity.
Theinvitationcameasatestament totheinnovativeprogrammesat PrisonArtsFoundation(PAF),andI attendedalongsideourChief Executive,FredCaul�ield.Underhis
guidance,ourmissionatPAFisto provideaplatformforprisonersto expressthemselvesthroughvarious artforms,offeringa pathto rehabilitationand growth.
Wehadthedistinct pleasureofgifting TheBigBookof CreativeWriting.
ThisanthologyisthePAFten-year retrospectiveofover250award winning,multi-genre,writings showcasingtheauthorshaving beenrecognizedwithawards includingKoestlerArtsawardsand fromtheListowelWriters'Week.
Theanthologyisacollective testamenttothetransformative impactthattheartshaveonthese individuals’lives.
Thankyoukindlytoeveryonewho supportsandbelievesinourvision
Down at the withBig L Hello to allatTimeIn,ittrulyhas beenaneventful�irsthalf totheyearforme,tosay theleast.Mybook,Memoirsofa BelfastBoywasreleasedonthe AmazonKDPpublishingplatform anditsoldinAmerica,Australia,and recentlySpain,whichismindblowingforme.Ittookmeayearand ahalftowrite,anditwasan emotionalrollercoaster,relivingthe traumaandthecomedyofgrowing upduringthetroubles,witha particularfocusonthe1970s.
Idon’tthinkIcouldhavedoneitifit wasn’tforthededicationofPrison ArtsFoundation(PAF)andtheir Writer-in-ResidenceatMagilligan, PamelaBrown,forherknowledge andcreativewritingskills.Pamela waslikeashrink;oldwounds reopenedmanytimesduringthe process,butImanagedtofocusand keepgoing,andevensurprised
atPAF,andintherecognitionofthe artsasavitaltoolforchange, transformationandrehabilitation. Therecognitionisasigni�icant milestoneforthePrisonArts Foundation,highlightingthe positiveimpactoftheirwork.
PMB,PAFWriter-in-Residence, Magilligan
HUB myselfalongtheway.Iwill foreverbeindebtedasthe processfreedmefromall mydemons.
Next,Ico-facilitatedwithPamela, andwehadanopenhousecreative writingclassforthepublicat2Royal AvenueduringtheannualPAFarts exhibition.Ireallyenjoytellingmy prisonstoryandhowcreative writingbothchangedandsavedmy lifeinjail.Creativewritingopensmy mindtoendlesspossibilities,which bringsmetomynextproject:aplay calledWaitingonWingsThis creativeendeavourretoldmy journeyinjail.
Pamelahadtheinitialideaof collectivelywritingaplay,sowegot StephenGreerinvolved,whointurn gotJasonThompsonaddedtoour shortcastlist.Pamela,asusual, knockeditoutofthepark, transcribingaudio,editing,reediting,andformattingtoindustry standardstocometothe�irstdraft.
AlsoinvolvedinWaitingonWings, thankstotheCommunityRelations Council,wasanindependent�ilm companyfromBelfast.LarryCowan, whosetupLambFilmsin2007to provideaplatformforlocaltalent,
�ilmeda�ly-on-the-wallstyle documentary.Thisinvolvedthe creativeprocess,writingthescript, theconsultationprocesstoensure authenticcontentwithFred Caul�ield,aswellasread-throughs andrevisions.Hopefully,nowwecan takeittothenextstage(seewhatI didthere!).
GordonHewittbasedattheARCand CommunityArtsPartnershipalso interviewedmeregardingmy memoir.ThankstoGordon,I willbefeaturedonthecoverof TheMonthlymagazine.Italso lookslikemybookwillbe reviewedfor andwillfurther featureashort interview.Abig thankyoutoallat PAF,especially Christine,Adele, andnotforgetting FredCaul�ield,who regularlygoesaboveand beyondthecallofduty.
Sostaytunedin,pickupa penandstartwriting,asit setmefree.
BigL
PhotobyPicStoryBelfast
Imagination Imprisoned An Exhibition Born Behind Bars Whatdoesitmeanto becreativein con�inement?How canapoem,a painting,orapiece ofmusicshifthowtheworldsees peopleinprison—orhowwesee ourselves?
Thesewerethequestionsthat shapedImprisonedImagination ,an exhibitionwelaunchedat2Royal Avenue,Belfast.Over25,000 membersofthepublicwalked throughitsdoors.Theycameto experiencethetalent,truth,and humanityofpeopleservingtimein NorthernIreland’sprisons.Manyleft withsomethingtheydidn’texpect:a newperspective.
A Window into the Soul Everypieceintheexhibitioncame fromworkshopswe’veruninside prisonwalls.Visualart,music, ceramics,andwriting—eachone madebysomeoneincustody.
OurArtists-,Writers,andMusicianin-Residencesupportedworkthat beganashesitantsketchesorstories anddevelopedintopowerful
personalexpressions.Someofthe piecesspeakofregret,othersof resilience,humour,hope,orhealing. Butallofthemshowthatcreativity doesn’tstopattheprisongate.For manypeople,itbeginsthere.
“Iamblownawaybytheartworkof BobbyandStephen—suchtalented artistswhohaveturnedtheirlives aroundandnowdosomuchto supportothers.”
—BeverleyWall,DirectorGeneral, NIPS
Oneofthemosttalked-aboutpieces wasapoemtitledForThoseWho
Judge .Rawand unapologetic,it offeredatruth manyhadnever heard.Visitors stopped,read, and reconsidered whatthey thoughttheyknewaboutlifeinside.
“Thisexhibitionprovesthatpeople insidestillhavesomethingtosay— andit’sworthhearing.”
—Visitorfeedback
The Creative Writing Nook Oneofthemostpersonalspacesin theexhibitionwastheCreative WritingNook.Visitorscouldpause, re�lect,andreadexcerptsfromThe BigBooka10-yearcollectionof award-winningwritingbypeoplein custody.
Wealsoofferedthepublicachance totakepartinourInvitetoCreate challenge.Usingpromptsand techniquesfromTheTransformative Way—acreativewritingguide developedespeciallyforprison writers—weinvitedpeopletowrite apoem,shortstory,ormemory pieceandplaceitanonymouslyina box.Thesewritingsmayformpartof afuturepublication.
Iwastheonlypersontoreadthem sofar,andIcanhonestlysay:every pagecarriedsomethingreal.One stoodoutsostronglythatIwanted toshareithere:
Iwas5whenmyunclewentto prison Iwassoupset TheSheriffgavemeapresent Apinkunicorn Idonotremembertherest.
It’ssimple—andquietlydevastating. Thisanonymouspoemcaptureshow prisonreachesfarbeyondthe individualservingtime.Apink unicornbecomesasymbolof
comfortinaconfusingworld—a child’smemoryshapedbyabsence.
Art That Speaks We�illedthegallerywallswith originalpaintingsanddrawings. Ceramicsandgroupprojectswere displayedontables.Delicate matchstickmodelsstoodonplinths. Allofitwascreatedinprison workshops—somebypeoplepicking uptoolsforthe�irsttime,othersby long-timeartists.
Whatunitedthemallwascare, effort,andasenseofpurpose.
Music That Transforms Astandoutmomentcamefromthe TransformingLivesThroughMusic
backintosupportingtheartistsand PAF’sprogrammes.
“Everypiecetellsastory.Every purchasemakesadifference.”
Peopledidn’tjustbuyobjects.They tookhomesomethingmeaningful.
Tours and Masterclasses Over350peoplejoinedourguided toursandspecialevents,includinga Late-NightArtsession.Whatmade thesetourssoimpactfulwasthat theywereledbyStephen(Stevie) Greer—agiftedartistandformer prisonerwhosejourneyhelped shapetheexhibition.
Steviedidn’tjustexplainthework— hetoldthestoriesbehindit.His insighttransformedtheexperience fromanartshowintosomething deeplyhuman. showcase—originaltracksrecorded bymenatMagilliganaspartofour musicresidency.
I’vebeeninthosesessions.I’veseen people�indconnectionthrough rhythmandvulnerabilitythrough lyrics.Therecordingsmovedvisitors totears.Itwas,formany,the�irst timethey’dreallylistenedto someonebehindbars—without judgment.
A Chance to Sell & Support Atourpop-upshop,wesold ceramicsandwoodcraftcreatedby meninMaghaberry.Eachitemcame withashortmessagefromthe maker.Everypennyraisedwent
PAFBoardofDirectors,FormerGovernor,AustinTreacy;Former PAFChariman,Oliver Brannigan;ExecutiveDirector,FredCaul�ield;NewChairmanofthePAFBoard,TomMcKeever
Memoir Writing with Pamela Brown Writer-in-ResidencePamela BrownledtwoMemoirWriting Masterclassesduringthe exhibition.Sheguidedparticipants throughexercisesdrawnfromThe TransformativeWayencouraging themtowritefromfeeling,not justfact.
“Memoirwritingisn’tjustabout tellingyourstory,”Pamelasaid, “It’sabouttheprocessofwriting asanartisticdisciplineaswell.”
Drawing with Stephen Greer Ihadtheprivilegeoftakingpartin oneofStevie’sLifeDrawing classes—thistime,asthemodel I’dneverdoneanythinglikeit before.Sittingstillwhileothers sketchedmyfacefeltvulnerableat �irst.Butsoontheroomshifted.It becamefocused,respectful,and strangelycalming.
Attheend,Stevieandtheother artistsgavemealltheportraits.I kepteveryone.Notbecausethey wereperfect—butbecausethey capturedsomethingreal:a momentofconnectionthrough art.
The Launch: Words That Matter On6March,welaunched ImprisonedImaginationwith spokenwordandtestimonyfrom twoincrediblevoices:LiamKelly andStephenGreer.Liam,awriter andformerprisoner,madethe roomlaughandre�lect.
“IneverreadabookuntilIwentto prison,”hesaid.“ButonceI
startedwriting,Icouldn’tstop.It savedme.”
Stephenalsospoke—about�inding purposethroughcreativityand aboutbeingseennotjustasanexprisoner,butasanartist,afather, andaguideforothersonthesame path.
What the Public Said Aspartoftheexhibition,we invitedvisitorstoratetheir experience—from1(notgreat)to 5(lovedit).Almost9outof10 peoplegaveitthetopscore.And thenumberofpeoplewhochose toleavefeedbackthisyearwas threetimeshigherthanin previousyears.
Thattellsmepeopleweren’tjust passingthrough.Theywere feelingsomething—andthey wantedtosayit.
Onevisitorleftthismessage: “Reallyinspiringtoseehowart canhaveanimpactonpeoplefrom alldifferentbackgrounds.As someonewithfamilyfromthese backgrounds,thishasgivenme hopethatpeoplecanchange. Sometalentedartistsinthis exhibitionwithsomerealraw emotionalpieces.Stephenwasso lovelyandhilarious—andit’s
greattoseeareal-lifeexampleof howpeoplecanchange themselvesandinspireothersto dothesame.”
Ourfeedbackformincludedthe followingstatement:
“Wehopethatyou,theviewer,will seethatparticipationintheartsis apowerfullearningtooland catalystforthepersonalandsocial transformationofanindividual.”
Basedonwhatweheard,Ibelieve thatmessagecamethrough—loud andclear.
To Those Still Inside Pleasekeepwriting.Keep painting.Keepmakingmusic.Keep creating.
Youarepartofsomething bigger—somethingworthsharing.
AC,PAFCoordinator
TomShortt,ArtsOf�icer,IrishPrisonService;LarryCowan,DocumentaryMaker,LambFilms; StephenGreer,PAFArtist-in-Residence,MagilliganPrison
The Transformative Way TheTransformativeWayis anewinnovativebookby PAFWriter-in-Residence PamelaBrown.
Itpresents52‘triedand tested’workshop-resourcesbased onyearsofexperience,whichare groundedinPamela’svast backgroundprojectedontothe genreofprisonliterature—a traditionthatencompasses centuriesofwriting.
Theresourcesareprovento empowerprison-writers, maximisingthe‘journey’forthe prisonwriterenteringthe workshopenvironment,combating literacyissues(ifany)and
progressing whilereceiving validation.
Thetextbookmakesthecasefor wideracknowledgementofthe prisonwritingandliteraturegenre withintheacademyrelatedto psychology,law,criminologyand ‘posttraumaindividuation’.
Prison-writingfacilitatorswill identifywithBrown'sengagement withincreativewritingasartistic disciplinedemandingeducation, talent,achievements,experience, anddepthsofknowledgevitalto directingeachworkshopevent, incidentandoutcome.
TheTransformativeWayis availableonline.
Prison is a sealed location–not the usual form of education campus “Hestrolledoutoftheshop,the newspaperbatonunderhis armpit,thecoolwrapperedsoap inhislefthand.”
TheBigBookofCreatvie Writingpresents KoestlerandListowel Awardwinningprisonwritersandtheirworks ofproseandpoetry,exhibiting differinglevelsandforms.The collectionofwritingsareatenyearretrospectiverepresenting PamelaBrown’screativewriting classes,2014-2024,basedat Magilligan.
Theworldofprison,prisonlife, andprisonexperiencearelaidout here,andareinvaluable,notonly to prisonpopulations,butalso widersocietyandthosewhostudy thepenalsystem.Withintheywill �indtheprisonerpsycheandinner landscapes, shameand
Ulysses,J.Joyce(1922)
TheTransformativeWayfeatured inSweny’sChemistinDublin whereLeopoldBloompurchased theLemonSoap.
sufferings,�illingoutingreator littledetail.
Thisisaprivateworldmade public;everypieceofwriting amountstoincreasingtheprison genre:highlightingtheprison writerabovestereotypes.
Prisonisasealedlocation–notthe usualformofeducationalcampus–whereincommunicationand communityarecon�inedinone space.Whatcomesacrossisthe populationuntoitself attempting individualandwider communication.
TheBigBookisavailablefromPAF.
The Big Book of Creative Writing Arti�icialintelligence,also knownasmachine intelligenceisthe processbywhich humanscreateintelligent machines,teachingthemhowto mimichumanphysicalmovements andrespondinhuman-likeways.
Inthehorticultureindustrytoday machinesmayfrequentlybemadeto performtasksmoreeffectivelythan people,includingplanting,and watering,aswellastestingnew systems.Itprovidesmoreef�icient waystoproduce,harvestandsell essentialcrops.
Currentlythereisanemphasison checkingdefectivecropsand improvingthepotentialforhealthy production.ThegrowthinAI technologyhasstrengthenedagrobasedbusinessestorunmore ef�icientlyandisusedinapplications suchasautomatedmachine adjustmentsforweatherforecasting, diseaseweedorpestidenti�ication.
AInotonlyassistsfarmersin automatingtheiroperationsbutalso allowsprecisecultivationwhichcan leadtotheconsumptionoffewer resources.Forhorticulture,labouris asigni�icantexpense.Incomparison tolarge-scalefarming,intensive horticulturalcropsrequirea signi�icantlymoreskilledlabour force.Hiringlabourforvarioustasks isresponsibleforover50%of manufacturingexpenditures.With thehelpofAI,youcan reducelabouruse,make effectiveuseof herbicidesand fertilisers,andminimise croplossesby harvestingattheright time.
TheapplicationofAIin alldomainswillalso bringashiftintheway wedoresearchand developmentin horticulture.AI-based goodsandservices,such astrainingdatafor drones,automated manufacturing,and agriculture,will progresstechnologically inthefutureandoffer morevaluable applicationstothis industry.AIcanbea technologicalrevolution
The application of AI in all domains will also bring a shift in the way we do research and development in horticulture. andboominhorticulture,helpingto feedtheincreasinghuman populationofworld.Arti�icial intelligencewillcomplement farmersandhorticulturistsand challengethemtomakecorrect decisions.
Thisallsoundsgreatforsomebut couldthesenewtechnologiesbe eliminatingjobsformillionsof people?Thosethatcanworkwill havetobefamiliarwithhightechAI, achallengeforsomanypeoplewho don’thavethebesteducation,or studentstryingto�indworktoget themthroughcollege.
Also,AIinhorticulturewon’tbe cheaptogetsetup,meaningmany smallfarmersmaybeleftbehindas biggerindustryfarmstakethelead withAIsystemsproducingsomuch morecropfasterandcheaper.This meansbigindustrycouldselltheir produceatapricethesmallfarms justcan’tcompetewith.
Therewillofcoursebelimitations onarti�icialintelligencein horticulture—forexamplealackof
Is AI Taking Us Away From Nature familiaritywithhightechmachine learningsolutionsacrosspoorer partsoftheworld.Costisabig challengeandAIsystemsneedalot ofdatatotrainandmakeprecise predictions.
Somanypeopletodaydon’tgetto connectwithnatureandit’snot untilthey,ontheoff-chance,study horticultureorendupinajobwere theyhavetointeractinsomeway thatthey�indoutthatitisactually greatfortheirmentalhealth.Fora lotofpeople,theyhavediscovered natureinthiswayandwentonto enjoythebene�itsofwalkingin naturethroughforestsandcountry parks.AItechnologyisalsomaking thegamingworldtakeoffbigger thaneverandmostchildrenthese daysaregluedtotheircomputer games,makingfewerwanttogoout andexplorenature—afarcryfrom previousgenerations.
WV,
Magilligan
RoryMcIloryisthenew winnerofTheMastersat AugustaNational becomingthesixthever membertoreachthe GrandSlamofgolf(2025).Being IrishandfromtheNorthhe developedanurgeforswinginggolf clubsfromtheearlyageoftwo.His father,inordertoteasehiswife, purchasedRoryaplastic‘playset’as henoticedhisyoungson’s enthusiasm.McIlorywantedtobe likehisfatherwatchinghimashe playedorwalkingthelocalgolf coursestogether.Hisfatherguided himtowardshisownpersonal development,andasMcIloryquickly grewasaplayergainingattention fromcoachesandmemberships, although,family�inanceswere squeezed.Hisparentsworked tirelessly,dayandnight,tohelpfund hisgame.
Roryplayedamateurgolfuntilthe earlystagesof2007wherehe ultimatelymadealeapoffaithto turnprofessional(aged17).His careeraccelerated,nowfollowingin thefootstepsofhispersonalicon TigerWoods.Hiscareerdeveloped withwinsacrossmajortournaments andchallengingrenownedplayers: TigerWoods,PhilMickelsonand VijaySingh.McIlroyhimself developingagrowingnumberof loyalfans.
andittookGary Player,at89,the oldestliving memberofthe nowsix-strong GrandSlamclub, toconversewith himandremind himhehadthe bestswinghe’d everseenand “dowhatyoudid atthestartofthe tournament,I andyourfans havefaithin you.”McIlroy embracing Player’swords cameoutinthe �inalroundof thetournament, inspiredand cheeredonby fans.McIlroy rolledthelittle whiteballcloser andcloser, decisively inchingwithin thewinning hole.Drop! McIlroybroke down,fellontohiskneesandsaid, “mybattletodaywaswithmyself,’ adding,‘ItwasastrugglebutIgotit overtheline.”
Championship,USOpenandUSPGA Championshiptitles.
PMN,Magilligan
AfterMcIlroy’sfourthMajorin 2014(theUSPGA)his talentscontinuedtoshine butfeelingoverwhelming bypressure,fromboth fansandcritics,ittook himanother11yearsto begiventhechanceof becomingthe‘sixth’ GrandSlammer,�inally achievinghisobjective, hisdreamfrom childhood,ofreceiving thaticonic‘GreenJacket’ sharedbyhisfellowbest.
InApril2025,RoryMcIlroy andJustinRoseventuredinto aremarkableplayoff.Rose himselfaimingfortheiconic GreenJacket.McIlroystarted exceptionallywell,butsoon feltthepressureandexpressed hischallengesfromoneholeafter theother.Finally,feelingdeep distresshedistancedhimself fromeveryonebelievingthismay bethebestapproachforhis gameplay.Howwronghewas,
McIlroycreditsthesupportofhis fansalongsidehismumanddad’s commitmentsasthe drivingforceforhis achievements. The35year-oldhasbecome onlythesixthmanand the�irstEuropeanto winthecareerGrand SlamofMasters,Open
Rory McIlory The Augusta National Creative Expression at Hydebank Wood College InHydebankPrison,onthe9th May,aneveningofcreative expressionsawfemale ResidentsandStudentsshare theirpersonalthoughtsand feelingsthroughthemediumof poetry.Theevent,areminderthat theartscanthriveinthemost unlikelyofplaces,showcased12 emotivepiecespennedbythe prisonersthemselves.
Thegatheringincludedtheprison’s GovernorFarrelly,arepresentative
Butter�lyEffectisinspired bythereal-lifestoriesof youngpeopleandexoffenderswhohavebeen impactedbyprison, addiction,andstruggleswiththeir mentalhealth.Theyfollowsix charactersfromtheirschooldaysto thepresent,exploringwhythey madethechoicesthatledtothem servingtimeinjailandhowthey mighthavemadedifferent decisionsoraccessedsupport.
SpannerintheWorksTheatre Company’sproductionexplores howtrauma,lackofopportunity, andalackofresourcescan in�luenceyoungpeople'schoices. Howdowetakecareofeachother
oftheLibrary/Activities departmentandtheeventwas advocatedforbySOCromieand representingtheSafetyandSupport teamwasSOMcElnea.Their attendanceunderscoredthe commitmenttofosteringan environmentthatsupportspersonal growthandrehabilitation.
ThePrisonArtsFoundation’s(PAF) ChiefExecutive,FredCaul�ield,was presenttolendhissupportand shareinsightsonthepositiveimpact ofartisticprogrammeswithinthe prisoncommunity.Fredreiterated thatPAFare,“dedicatedto
providingcreativeoutletsfor prisoners.”
Theeveningincludedapresentation fromWriter-in-ResidenceatHMP Magilligan,PamelaBrown.Sheread excerptsfromTheBigBooka compendiumofthepastdecade’s award-winningwritingsthathave emergedfromMagilligan.Speaking attheeventPamelasaidthat"The BigBookisatestamenttothe writers’groupatMagilligan,totheir dedication,thetherapeutic dimensionsandexpressivenatureof thewrittenword."AcopyofTheBig BookwasgiftedtotheHydebank PrisonLibrary.Pamelaaddedthat, “shehopesthebookwillserveasan inspiration.”
Thepoemsreadattheevent referencedtopicssuchasaddiction, loss,personaldevelopment,hope, mentalhealthandlivedexperiences. Thecomplexitiesofemotionsthat resonatewithmanypeople, providinginsight,catharsis,and re�lection.
Thiseventwasaresoundingsuccess andnowwillbebuiltintothe centre’squarterlyeventscalendar.
The Butterfly Effect andourselvesinaworld wheretheoddscanseem stackedagainstus?How dowechangeorrecover fromchoicesthathave ledusontodif�icult paths?
Butter�lyEffectiswrittenand directedbyaward-winning playwrightPatriciaDowney.
Itcontainsstronglanguageand scenesthatsomemight�ind upsettingmakingitsuitablefor ages15+andfundedbyAssets RecoveryCommunityScheme (ARCS).
Thetheatrecompanywerebasedin Magilliganforseveralsessions,in
AIisbecomingoneofthe biggestandmost in�luentialinnovations inrecentyears.It’s beingusedbyalmostall areasofworldindustryfrom computingtoengineeringandthe militaryindustrialcomplex,which isscaryinitself,butI’minterested inwhattheprosandconsofits useareinmusic.
Wouldithelporhurtit?
Theevolutionofmusicfromthe dawnoftimewasonlylimitedto themusician’sownimagination andcreativity,eachnew instrumentortechnique developingintovariousgenres fromclassicaltoEDM,Countryto HardRock,RnBtoGrime/HipHop.
ButrecentlywiththehelpofAI toolsallthecreativeground breakingleapsinmusicmaking andsongwritinghavebeen brokendownintosomeAI program,putthroughan algorithm,andwiththeclickofa buttoncancomposeinaninstanta pieceofmusic.Thisworks especiallywellforelectronic musicofvariousgenres.
artistandmusicians backcatalogues.
AI and Music Musicmadebya musicianor composerismade with emotion and creativity, sometimes blood, sweatand tears, every song,everwritten, hasastorybehind it.Allthis,inturn, givesthelisteners theirown individual emotional responsetoit.
IwouldseeAIasaplus,forthe artistswhostruggleengineering/ masteringtheirownmusic,when amusicianhashelpfromitto navigatemusicprogramslike Logic,Reason,Q-BaseorFLStudio andthesoftwarepluginsforthese platforms.
Sometimesifyou’reafan,knowing thestorybehindapieceofmusic makesitfeellikemuchmorethan asong.Ontheotherhand,instead ofblood,sweatandemotionwe havein30secs,afewgigabyte (GBs)andanAIalgorithm later,apieceofmusicwhich realisticallyisa fancyremixofall
AIhasboththepotentialtoopen thedoorformanylookingto�ind theirvoicethroughmusic, supportingthemtechnicallyand givingthemthespacetofocuson thecreativeside,whilealso exploitingthehardworkalready donebymanyartists, underminingtheirachievements andownershipoftheirart.Itis bothsidesofthiscoinweshould beconsciousofasthetechnology progresses.
JK,Magilligan
thebuilduptotheperformanceson the20May2025andworkedwith prisonersexploringprison narratives.Followingonfromthis theywillbedeliveringanumberof theatrewritingworkshops.A prisonerwhotookpartinthe workshopscommentedthat,‘I reallyenjoyedtheplay(s)andthe scriptwritingexerciseonhowto constructaworkingscript,andit wasacreativeandenlightening experience.’
Thisalsogoesforlyricsand songwriters.Asabove,you canaskAItowriteasongand secondslaterlyricsare producedbyanalgorithm?All ofthesetoolsarealreadyhere andarebeingused.
Recently,EltonJohnandDua Lipa,amongstothers,have expressedtheirworriesaboutthe potentialcopyrightinfringement inrelationtothetechniquesof someoftheseAIProgramsuseof
themusicanalysedbytheAI software.
A New Dawn for Creativity? Arti�icialIntelligenceis beingusedtogenerateall kindsofartattheminute andsellingforhugesums ofmoney.Isthistheend ofaneraforcreativityorthe beginningofanewdawn?
Iwasreadinganarticleonthis recentlyandthethemeofitwasAIvs themindwhichexploredthelimitsof AIcomparedtohumancreativity.The mainsubjectwasahumanoidrobot artistcalledAi-Da,andcertainly questionshowwede�ineart.You onlyhavetolookatsome‘exhibits’in recenttimestoseethatanythingcan beconsideredasart.Taketherecent bananaduct-tapedtoawall,would youconsiderthisasanartpiece? Wellthencertainlyanythingcanbe classedasartnomatterwhoorin thiscase,what,createdit.
Plagiarismisaconcernforartistsas theirworkisusedtotrain algorithms,butthenthereareartists whoareembracingitandareseeing itasanewoutletfortheirown creativity.SougwenChung,a Canadianartist–hasfully embracedAIandhasexclusively trainedalgorithmsontheirworks
alonetofurtherpushtheircreative boundaries.
Althoughsociety’sfearisjobsnatchingAIalgorithmsandrobot domination,Idonotseeitassuch.AI isatechnologicalrevolution,andthe possibilitiesofharnessingitare endless.Iwouldseeitasan opportunitytostartcreatingartina totallydifferentway.Insteadofbeing boggeddownwithcertainstyles—AI couldopenusuptonew collaborationswiththemachines!
Thereareexamplesoftechnologyin historysendingusinnewdirections throughouthistory,photography beingone.Inthe1800sartistssaw thecameraastheantithesisofthe artist,andphotographsastheenemy oftheartestablishment.Butinstead ofreplacingpainting,photography playedapivotalroleinshapingthe artmovementsasartistsmovedaway fromrealismtowardsabstraction.
Astechnologyadvanceseverfaster,I thinkweshouldembraceitandas an artist,Icertainlywillbeutilisingit. RecentlyIsawanAIappwhichcan
createanyimageyoucanthinkofina numberofdifferentstyleswhich couldtransformmypaintingstyle overnight!Thisisjustoneexampleof manyandwhenIamreleasedfrom prison,willbedivinghead�irstinto AItoseehowIcanimprovemyart output.
Soinsteadofbeingafraidofthe beast,whynottrytotameit?
Society’sfearofAIhasbeenhugely in�luencedbymovies(Terminatoror Wargamesspringstomind),soI thinkit’stimetorollwithitorelse getrolledoverbyit!
“Whenwecanstarttosee thatthesystemswebuildare actuallyusinanotherform, thenwe’reheadinginthe directionarounda multiplicityofintelligences andapproachesto intelligence.”
—SougwenChung.
RMcA,Magilligan
So instead of being afraid of the beast, why not try to tame it? Artinitsmanyformsfrom cavepaintingtodigital artistry,MozarttoKae Tempest,Shakespeareto DanBrown(well,maybe notthelastexample),has maintaineditsholdonoursocieties, mainlyduetohowitexpressesour creativityandindividualityin accessibleforms.Fromourearly years,of�ingerpainting,scrawledon reamsofpaper,weproduceart. Muchofitfestooneduponfridge doors,nurserywalls,or,in grandparents’cupboards.Forwhy?
The artistic ape will find a way of existing alongside its creation versionofmypoem,was,whyallthe extrawords,sixtyintotal.Maybe becausecomputationalsciencedoes noteasilytolerategapsindata.Itis apparenttomethattheAItriedto �illinthegaps,whichIhave intentionallyleftout,inthe information,withitsown supplementaryexplanation.For example;TheAIhasadded,“Idrift
Artificialis Becauseartsayssomethingabout theartistandtheirunderstandingof theworld,inarelatableway.My formofartisticexpressionis literature,especiallypoetry.It enablesmetoputintothematerial world,theobservationsofmylife,on myselfandothers.Humanityhasa comparativeability,usedinorderto makethousandsofdecisionsevery day,whichenableustofunctionand remainsafe.So,canwetheartistic apes,tellthedifferencebetweenAI andhumanart?
Includedaretwopoems,addressing thesametopic,onewrittenbyAIthe otherbymyself.Ifyouhavenotyet readthem,Isuggestyoudothat now,elsebeconfrontedbyspoilers.
Canyoutellwhichiswhich?Wasthe decisioneasy,or,didyouhaveto rereadthepoemsinorderto developanopinion?Myinitial thoughts,whenconfrontedbytheAI
withthoughtsunchained”intomy secondline.Anattempttoexplain whatIamdoing,or,thinking, �loatinginthecoldemptyplace.And AIadds“Arevelationgrowslike dawn’s�irstlight”isAI’sattemptto deliberate,asitusestheword“like” insteadofas.TheAI,inmyopinion, hasbeenlearningandfeedingon classical literature.For example, “settlesheavy likeastone, hollowechoes whispertruths” reads,alittle like,alinefrom someoneas distinguishedas PercyShelley.
WhatI�ind intriguingis howtheAI processesthe
Floating inside this cold empty place, Devoid of time, my mind turns in on Itself to face a madness. Alone. How much longer do I have to wait?
To wake. Endlessly. I am losing, Weakness is winning. Am I even
Breathing? I can’t feel, all movements gone.
Revelation. These are my last thoughts.
Realisation. This is not sleep.
commandorinstruction.Mypoemis enteredasinformation,fortheAIto use,asanindicationoftheelements requiredintheanswer.Theanswer AIgives,isalsodependentuponthe parametersithasbeenprovided with,inthiscasethecreationofa poem.Whichwillconsistofthe elementswerecognise,e.g.rhythm andrhyme.Tobecreativewithinthe constraintsofrudimentaryand purposefuladaptationsAI,inmy opinion,atthisstageofits evolution,isonlygoingtobeable toformulateartfrom information,depleteofwhatus meremortalsliketocall emotion.Asthisfascinatingand excitingnewageoftechnological intelligenceprogresses,theartistic apewill�indawayofexisting alongsideitscreation,inawaythat MaryShelleywouldhavebeen proud.
RED,Magilligan
Floating inside this cold empty place, Devoid of time, I drift with thoughts unchained, my mind turns in on itself, A dark embrace, to face a madness, quietly constrained.
Alone. How much longer do I have to wait? To wake
From this endless void where shadows play; I am losing,
Weakness is winning my fate—am I even breathing?
Moments slip away. I can’t feel; all movements gone, Erased, a revelation grows like dawn’s first light, These are my last thoughts in silence encased:
This is not sleep... no comfort in the night. Realisation
Settles heavy like stone, Hollow echoes whisper truths
Yet to be told; as dreams unravel in the twilight alone, The essence of being fades into the cold.
UlsterUniversitywerein Magilliganprison deliveringthe�irsttwo co-learningexperiences involvingprisonersand studentsfromtheoutside.
The�irstlawcoursewasintroduced intoMagilliganprisonduringthe �irstsemesterof2024,andthe�irst CriminologycourseinFebruary 2025.Thecoursesweresetup throughUlsterUniversityandbased onmodelsfromtheUnitedStatesof AmericasuchasTheInsideOut Program.
Thelawcourseentailedthecoming togetherofoutsidestudentsfrom UlsterUniversityinBelfastand insidestudentsfromherein Magilligan.Thecourseranfor12 weeks,andwehadtocompletetwo 1000wordessays,completegroup workonseveraltypesoflawwhich wewouldfeedbacktothelecturers andinthelastthreeweekswedid groupprojectsandpresentedthem totheclass,familymembersandthe headoftheschooloflawatUlster University.
TheCriminologycourseentailed againthecomingtogetherof studentsfromUlsterUniversity,this timefromtheMageeCampusin Derryandinsidestudentsfromhere inMagilligan.Thecourseranfor12 weeks,andwehadtocompletefour re�lectivediariesof500wordseach andinthelastthreeweeksweagain didgroupprojectsandpresented themtothelecturer,classandan assessor.Wealsogotanextravisit withourfamiliesattheendofboth
thecourses,and evenabarbecue attheendofthe criminology one.
Theonlycriteria neededtojoin thesecoursesis dedicationto study,engagein thebestway youcanand writeafew essaysonthe coursework. Therewas plentyof support,advice andguidance throughoutthe coursestohelp youtoachieve goodmarksand succeed.
Iwasmade awareofthe coursebya friendanda memberofstaff.Iimmediately turneditdown,andsaidthisisway outofmyleague,asIhadn’tengaged inanyaccreditedcoursessince 2004/5.Theseweregyminstructor level1&2anditdidn’tentailtoo muchwrittenworkwithmoreofa practicalstyleandexamsbasedon multiplechoiceanswers.Afriend convincedmetohaveagoandsee whereitleadsto.I’mgladIlistened totheadviceasthecourseswere greatandIlearnedalotand surprisedmyselfhowwellI’ddone.
continue.IfeltlikeIwastakingupa spacebettersuitedtosomeoneelse whowasmorecapable.Inowknow thatwasnotthecaseasIexceeded myexpectationsandgotgood marks.Sopleasedon’tthinkyouare notcapableasIamtheperfect examplethatyouare.
Listowel 2025 Thesubmissionsforthe ListowelWriters’Week writingcompetitionare categorizedintotwo distinctgenres:Short StoriesandPoetry.Writersare invitedtoparticipateinoneofthree skill-basedlevels:GettingStarted, Intermediate,orAdvanced.This year’seventsawparticipationfroma diverserangeofindividuals,with 247entriesreceivedfrom136 writersacrossvariouslocations:14 prisonsinthesouth,oneadditional securefacility,and3prisonslocated inthenorth.
Thiswasthe�irsthighlevel educationalcourseIhaddone inmylife.IleftschoolwhenI was14,towork,andthese werethe�irstessaysIhadever written.ItwasnoteasyandI toiledwithwhetherIshould
Ulster Universityin Magilligan I’mashamedtosayIhadapreconceptionofstudentsandlecturers frompastexperiencesofmingling withstudentsandlecturersin Cambridge.Iwroteaboutthisinmy essayandI’mhappytosaymymind iswellandtrulychanged.The studentsandlecturerswereall soundandwehadgoodcraic throughout.I’dalsoliketothankthe lecturersandmyfellowstudentsfor alltheirencouragement,guidance andsupportthroughoutthetwo semesters.
Ifthisissomethingyoumightbe interestedin?PleasecontactSO Gerryorlookoutforpostersbeing putuparoundtheprisoninthenear future.IhopeIhavedonetheUlster Universityjusticebywritingthis articleandprovidedyouthereader withenoughinformation, encouragementandthebeliefto takepart.Thankyoufortakingthe timetoreadthisarticle.
MJS,Magilligan
Theentriesareshowcasedinthe followingmanner:aselectionof writingsarepresentedhereinTime Inwhilethe�irstprizewinnersin eachcategoryareshowcasedinour cross-bordermagazinecollaboration AllIn ,providingtheauthorswitha valuableplatformtosharetheir literarytalentsandgainrecognition. Additionally,thecompetition winnersreceiveprizemoneywhilea notablefeatureofthiseventisthat everywinner,includingHighly
Commended,receivesaclassical CrossPenasasymboloftheir achievement.
Thisyear,MagilliganWriterssecured anotablewininthePoetryGetting Startedcategory,claiming�irstplace withthepoem"Australia,"whichwas writtenbyWB.Additionally,within thePoetryIntermediatecategory, thegroupdistinguishedthemselves withtwomoreaccolades:asecondplacefor"AgFánacht,"pennedby SMcC,andathird-placeawardfor
DH'spiece,"Howtostaycentred whenyou’resurroundedbychaos." Theirliterarysuccessextendedto theshortstorygenrewritingaswell, wheretheyearnedasecondprizein theShortStoryIntermediate categoryforJPW'snarrativetitled "AreyouSantaClaus?"anda prestigioussecondprizeintheShort StoryAdvancedcategorywiththe "TheLastDay,"authoredbyDON. PMB,PAFWriter-in-Residence, Magilligan
The Last Day 3rd Prize Advanced Short Story
ForaslongasMichaelcould remember,thewallsofthe prisonhadbeenhisworld. Theyweresolid,unyielding, andinescapable.Andafter yearsoflivingwithinthosewalls,they hadbecomemorethanjustthe physicalboundariesofhis con�inement.Theyhadbecomeapart ofhim—hisprison,hisidentity,his reasontowakeupeachmorning.Or, atleast,that’showithadfeltforthe �irstfewyears.
Ag Fánacht 2nd Prize Intermediate Poetry
Táméagfánachtartraeinlemothurasdeirenachaglacadh.
Cáháitabhfuilméagdúl?
Níla�hiosagam.
Táeaglaorm.
Táimníorm.
Nílméréidh,achsinráite,céatáréidh?
Táméagfagáilmóphaistí.
Táméagfagáilmobheancheile.
Cadéatharladomh?
Níla�hiosagam.
Bomáiteamháinbhímésabhailelemoleanbh
Agusbomáiteeiletáméimosheasamhanseo, aganstaisiún,agfánacht.
Now,ontheeveofhisrelease,ashe satinthesmall,grimycellthathad beenhishomeforsolong,Michaelfelt astrangeweightinhischest.Itwas nottheexcitementhehadexpected;it wasn’tthereliefthateveryonesaidhe wouldfeel.Instead,itwassomething farmorecomplicated—guilt.
Tomorrow,hewaswalkingoutofthis place.Hewasgoinghome.Oratleast, that’swhattheyhadtoldhimatthe parolehearing.Butthethoughtof leavingbehindthemenhe’dcometo know,tocareabout,leftabitterness thatsouredtheairaroundhim.
Helookedoutthesmall,barred windowabovehiscell,watchingas thelasttracesofdaylightfadedfrom thesky.Hecouldheartheusual soundsfromtheyardbelow:the shuf�leoffootstepsandkeys,thequiet chatter,thedistantclangofmetal doors.Hethoughtofthemenwho wouldn’tbeleaving,themenwho,like him,hadbeenheretoolong.Theyhad becomelikebrotherstohimoverthe years—someofthemgoodmenwho hadmadeterriblemistakes,others whohadjustgottenlostalongthe way.
“Hey,Mike,”cameavoicefromthe door.MichaelturnedtoseeSam,a burlymaninhisfortieswithascar thatrandownthelengthofhischeek. Samhadbeenherelongerthan Michael—longerthananyone,it seemed.HehadheardMichael’sstory ahundredtimes,theoneabouthow he’dbeenapromisingcollegestudent beforearashdecisionturnedhislife upsidedown.
Samhadmadehisownshareofbad decisions,butunlikeMichael,hehad neverseenthelightattheendofthe tunnel.Hewasinforlife.
Beidhantraeinanseoigceanncúplanóiméad
Agusglacfaidhmémothurasdeireanach.
Tárudaíiontachdeantaagam,
Agustárudaímilteanachdeantaagam.
Nuairaamharcaimsiar,táaiféalaorm.
Táspriocannaaguscuspóirínarbhainméamach.
Támébrodúilfostaáfach,brodúilasan�hearabhímé.
Bhísaolmórsástafadálachagamagusassintábuíochasorm.
Feic�idhmémochlannláéiginsatodhchaí Agusbeidhmuiduilliglecheilearís?
Achgodtísin,beidhormantraeinaglacadharm’aonar.
Tásíagteachtanois.
Caith�idhméimeacht.
Táanfanachtthart Agustáméimithearmothurasdeireanach.
SMcC,Magilligan
“Youokay?”Samasked,hiseyes softeningashetookastepinside.
Michaelforcedasmile.“Yeah,just thinking.”
Samraisedaneyebrow.“Thinking? Don’ttellmeyou’rehavingsecond thoughts.”
Michaelsighed,lookingdownathis hands.“Idon’tknow,man.It’sjust… I’mleavingtomorrow.I’mfree.Butit doesn’tfeelright.Theseguys…they’re stillhere.Ican’thelpbutfeellikeI’m abandoningthem.”
Samsatdownontheedgeofthebed, hislargeframemakingthealready crampedcellfeelevensmaller.“You aren’tabandoninganyone,Mike.You didyourtime.Youpaidyourdues. Theyaren’tmadatyouforgettingout. Hell,someofthemprobablywishthey couldbeinyourshoes.”
Michaelshookhishead,hismind whirling.“ButIknowwhatit’sliketo bestuckinhere.Tofeellikeyou’re nevergonnagetout.I’vemadepeace withtheideaofbeinginprison.I’ve cometoacceptit.But…whatabout them?Whatiftheynevergeta chance?”
Sam’sfacegrewsombre.“Someofus willnevergetout.That’sthewayitis. Youcan’tsaveeveryone,Mike.You can’tcarryallthatweight.Allyoucan doistakecareofyourselfnow.You’ve gotasecondchance.That’swhat matters.”
Michaelstoodup,pacingthesmall space.“Idon’tknow.I’mjust…I’m scared.Whatifoutthere,theworld’s changedtoomuch?WhatifIdon’t knowhowtoliveoutsideanymore? WhatifIfail?”
“You’renotgoingtofail,”Samsaid �irmly,hisvoicesteady.“You’vebeen
throughhellandback.That’sthe hardestpart.Whatevercomesnext, youcanhandleit.Andyou’vegot somethingmostpeopleoutthere don’tevenknowabout—perspective. Youknowwhatitmeansto�ightfor something.Youknowwhatitmeans tomakeachoiceandstickwithit.Not manypeoplegetthat.”
Michaelfelta�lickerofhoperisein him,buttheguiltstillweighedheavily onhischest.“IjustwishIcoulddo more.IwishIcouldhelpthem.Ifeel likeI’mwalkingawayfromallthe promisesImade—promisesIcouldn’t keep.”
Sam’seyessoftened,andforthe�irst time,Michaelsawatraceof somethinglikeunderstandingin them.“You’renotwalkingawayfrom anything,Mike.You’rejustmoving forward.Andyoucanhelpthem,in yourownway.Youcanmakeitout thereandshowthemthatthere’sstill hope,thatlifecanchange,evenwhen itfeelsimpossible.That’sallyoucan do.”
Michaelwassilentforamoment,the weightofSam’swordssinkingin.He hadn’tthoughtofitthatwaybefore. Maybehecouldn’tsavethemall,but hecouldshowthemwhatwas possible.Hecouldlivealifethat provedchangewasn’tjustafairytale.
“Maybeyou’reright,”Michaelsaid,his voicequieternow.“Maybethebest thingIcandoismakesomethingof myself.MaybeIcanbetheguywho doesn’tletthisplacede�inehim.”
Samnodded.“That’sthespirit.And hey,we’llbecheeringforyou.Youget outthere,makesomethingofit. You’renotalone,evenifyouthinkyou are.We’llbehere,keepinganeyeon you.”
Michaelsmiled,the�irstgenuinesmile he’dwornindays.“Thanks,Sam.I neededtohearthat.”
Samstoodup,clappinghimonthe shoulder.“Don’tmentionit.You’ve earnedit.Nowgetsomerest. Tomorrow’sabigday.”
AsSamleft,Michaelstoodtherefora momentlonger,lookingatthecracked walls,thefadedpaint,thebarsonthe windowthathadframedhislifeforso long.Hewasn’tthesamepersonwho had�irststeppedintothisprisonall thoseyearsago.Hehadbeenbroken, confused,angry.Buthehadlearned. Hehadsurvived.Andnow,itwastime tomoveforward.
Tomorrow,hewouldwalkoutofhere. Andhewouldcarrywithhimthe lessonshehadlearned—notjust aboutsurviving,butaboutliving. Aboutredemption.Abouthowthe greatestvictorywasn’tleavingthis placebehind—itwastaking everythinghehadlearnedand makingitcountintheworldoutside.
Hedidn’tneedtocarrytheweightof others’dreams.Hejustneededtolive hisown.
Asthelights�lickeredoffinthe corridor,Michaeltookadeepbreath, feelingtheweightofhispastandthe possibilityofhisfuture.Andforthe �irsttimeinyears,hefeltready. Tomorrowwasn’tjusthisrelease.It wasthebeginningofsomethingnew. Hecoulddothis.Hewoulddothis. Thepastwasgone.Thefuturewas waiting.Andhewasreadytoembrace it.
DON,Magilligan
How to stay centred when you’re surrounded by chaos…
3rd Prize Intermediate Poetry
Stayingcentredinprison,beingsurroundedbychaos,andtheonly thingyouareincontrolofiswhatisgoingoninsideyourhead,
Taketimetounderstandeverythingthatisgoingonaroundyou,
Allowotherstohavetheirsay,
Youdon’tknowwhatotherpeoplearegoingthrough,
Careabouteveryone’sopinionthatmatterstoyou,
Enjoythethingsinlifethatmakeyouhappy,
Nevergetconsumedbythenegatives,
Tomorrowcanalwaysbebetter,
Emptyyourmindofthethingsyoudon’tlike,
Recogniseyourthoughtsandfeelingsanddon’tallowotherstoforce theirthoughtsandfeelingsontoyou,
Eachnewdaybringsnewhopesanddreams,
Don’tstaydownbecauseyouonlyhaveonelifetolive,sogetupand �ightforit.
DH,Magilligan
Are You Santa Claus? 2nd Prize Intermediate Short Story
Hestoodlookingoutatthe ocean,itsvividblue re�lectingtheclearsky above.Thefoamfromthe waveswerecloud-likein theirwhiteclarityandhelistenedto themcrashagainstthecliffface belowhim.Theywereasoothing sound,likethewhitenoisemachines he’dheardotherpeopleusetohelp themsleep.Heexaminedthesky, clearbutforafewsolitaryclouds, engagedinaslowwaltzacrosstheir brightceruleanstage.Thesoundof childishlaughterandexcited screamsfromtheplayparkbehind himinthedistanceaddedamuted backdrop.Heshiveredslightlyasa softbutcrispbreezetickledhim, disturbinghislongbushybeardand hair,bothbrilliantwhite,robbedof theircolourbythetrammelsoftime. Hetookadeepbreath,tastingthe saltonthecoastalair.
‘Beautiful,’hethought,‘butnot beautifulenough.’
‘Gerry!’Margaretshoutedasshe cameinthroughthefrontdoor.
‘Gerry!’louderthistimeaftergetting noreply.
Shehunghercoatbehindthedoor andwentintothelivingroom.She satherburgundyhandbagdownon thenewcreamleathersofatheyhad justboughtlastweek.Shehad arguedwithGerrythattheycouldn’t affordit,buthehadbeensetonit. He’dbeenalittlemoroseoflateso shehadrelented,hopingitwould cheerhimup.
Shelookedthroughtothekitchen butcouldseenosignofhim. Walkingtothebottomofthestairs shecalledhimagain.Stillwithout success,shereturnedtotheliving room.‘Wherethefuck’shegotto?’ shethoughttoherself.
Shewenttoherhandbag,intenton retrievingherphonebutgot distractedbyawhiteenvelopeatop themahoganycoffeetable.She noticedhernamewrittenneatly acrossthefront,recognisingthe
penmanshipasGerry’s.Forgetting herphone,shewenttoit.Openingit, shebegantoread,thebloodslowly drainingfromherasshedidso. Whenshe�inished,shethoughther heartwasgoingtoliterallybreakin herchest.
Shewentstraighttoherphoneand calledGerry.
Help Me! Gerrylookeddownatthescreenof hisphoneasitrang.Hedidn’t consideransweringitevenfora second.Hehadbeenexpectingthis call.
Theringingstoppedandthescreen �lickered,nowtellinghimthathe hadonemissedcallfromMargaret.
2nd Prize Getting Started Poetry DailyIhavetheweirdestdreams
Itinvolvesshootings,beatingsandalwaysscreams Theycomesofastinwavesandstreams
Latelymyhead’sbeensof*****up
Ican’tgetmyselfoutofthisrut,Ifeelstuck IknowinmylifeIhavealwaysdonewrong
ButIdunnohowtobenormal,I’vebeenlikethissolong IjustwannabethebestdadIcanbe Iwasbrilliantatthestart;Iwasonly17
I’mreallytryingtobethebestdadIcanbe
I’mlostwithoutmykids,its’likeI’velostapartofme
Pleasesomeonehelp!Iwannabefree
Iwannabefreetomakeallmyownchoices
Myheadissotiredfrom�ightingthevoices
Mymindandmybodydon’tseemtodowhatItellit
EvenwhenIcry,evenwhenIyell
It’sasifsomeoneiscontrollingme
Whywon’titstop?Ijustwannabefree!
Ithinkofsuicideallthetime,Ievenbuyarope
SometimesIfellthere’sjustnohope
Sincetheageof12IthoughtIwassomeoneelse
SoItriedtohangmyoriginalself
ItriedtoswingbutIsnappedthebelt
No-onecouldseehowunhappyIfelt
SometimesIjustfeelthere’snowayout
SoI�ightandIkickandIscreamandIshout
ButthenIthinkaboutyourtinylittleface
Finally,Iseethelight,Iturntomyfaith
PleaseLordsavemewithyourloveandgrace
IknowIneedtotryharderfromhereon
Ican’tletthisaddictionwin,Igottabestrong
You’rethereasonthatIcankeepgoing
You’remylittlecuteangelwithsuchacuteface
ItremindedmehowgreatisGod’slovinggrace
I’lltrythehardestI’veevertriedtobeyourdad
Ineverwannaseeyouhurt,angryorsad
Iloveyouforeverdeepinmyheart
IjustneedalittleHELP!Toknowwheretostart
AllIneedisachancetoprovetoyou
WhenIstartthistime,I’llseeitthrough
I’llseeitthroughtotheveryend
Youcanbemydaughteragainanddaddy’sbestfriend
Iloveyousomuchandalwayswantyoutoknowthis
Iwishyoucouldgivemeonebighug,onebigkiss
Imissyousomuch,thatmuchistrue
IhopeyoulovemelikeIloveyou
You’llalwaysbemydaughterandmybestfriendtoo.
FD,Maghaberry
Heswitchedthephoneoffandletit droptothegrassathisfeet. ‘Somethingforthemto�ind afterwards,’hesupposed.
Hereturnedhisgazetothescene beforehim,theoceanwavesand soft-cloudsstillentwinedintheir carefullychoreography.
Anotherdeepbreathreturnedhim toserenity.Neverbeforehadhe experiencedsuchpeaceofmind. Devoidofallotherthought,hisfocus wassolelyonthesounds,sightsand scentsofthiscliff-edgetableau.
‘Excuseme,sir,’avoicetingledatthe edgeofhisconsciousness.
‘Excuseme!’moreinsistentlythis time.
Thevoice�inallybrokethroughand heturnedto�indawomanwearinga lookofdeepconcern.Atherside, andattachedtoheroutstretched hand,wasayounggirl,sixorseven yearsoldbyhisestimate.She,in contrastwithherchaperonwhohe assumedwashermother,hadan expressionofcuriouswonder.He workedupasmilewhichhequickly presentedtothepair.
‘Hello.CanIhelpyouwith something?’heaskedsoftly.
‘No,its�ine,’thewomanresponded, ‘Ijustthoughtyouwerestanding awfullyclosetotheedgethere.We getstronggustsupheresoitcanbe dangerousbeingthatclose.Please, becareful.’
‘Oh,don’tworryaboutme,’he guffawed,‘I’llbe�ine.’
Shedidn’tlookconvinced,but neitherdidshecommentfurther.
‘Thanksforyourconcern,’headded, ‘butIassureyou,I’llbe�ine.’
Heturnedagain,intentonreturning oncemoretohishypnosis.
‘Mister!Mister!’heheardbehind him,theyounggirlthistime.
‘Shush,Katie!’hermother interjected,ahushedbutinsistent reprimand.
Heturnedtofacethem,hisbroad smile�ixedbackonhisface.
‘Mister!’theKatiecontinued unabashed,‘AreyouSantaClaus?’ Chucklingtohimself,andgivinghis abundantwhitebeardatussle,he movedtowardsthegirl,creakily
The Orange Dancer 2nd Prize Advanced Poetry …anOrangeDanceruponablue-litstage, you�lickerbackandforthwithanunkemptrage. Man’s�irstdiscovery,agiftfromtheGods butdestructiveandruinoustoeventheodds.
Thereareathousanddaggersasyoudanceuponmyskin, apainsounbearabletohushthewarwithin, apermanentmark,atemporarysolution, I’lldowhateverittakestostopmyBrain’srevolution.
“Youareworthless,youarenothing,”Itscreamsfrominside, “theworldwouldpreferifyoucurledupanddied.”
SoIturntotheDancer,put�linttothesteel, replacetheburninginsidewithapainthatisreal.
“Good,burndeeper,”Itsaysasitstares, “Youcan’tseriouslybelievethatanyonecares.”
Soyoudanceonceagain,thestagelitbright asyouswaybackandforth,turnmy�leshblackandwhite.
Theothers,theynoticeasskinbecomesscar, maybejustthistimeItookittoofar. Norighttocomplain,aself-in�lictedaf�liction, thescreaminginside,itonlyfuelsmyaddiction.
AnOrangeDanceruponablue-litstage, maybenexttimeIwillturnanewpage. Fornow,thewarstartsandIhaveonlyoneanswer, onablue-litstage,standsaloneOrangeDancer.
hunkeringdownsothathewaslevel withher.
‘It’simportantnowKatie,’hesaid quietly,‘thatwekeepourvoices down.I’mtakingalittleholiday beforeIhaveallmydeliveriestodo andwedon’twanteveryone knowingthatI’mhere.’
Heofferedheraconspiratorialwink towhichsheadoptedalookof unquali�iedseriousness.
‘Yoursecret’ssafewithme,’shesaid, sealinghermouthwithanimaginary zip.
Thisprovokedwarmthanda genuinesmileinGerry.Lookingup athermotherhecommented,‘Well ifthat’sthecase,IthinkKatiewillbe gettingaspecialgiftthisyear.’He receivedanodandsmilein con�irmation.
Justashe�inishedspeakinghefound himselfrugbytackledbytheyoung girlwholeapedonhimtohughim tight.Caughtunaware,healmost toppledover,butregaininghis
balancehereturnedthehug.The innocence,sincerityandsheer delightwrappedupinthatembrace lefthimalittlestunned.Andwhen sheturnedherheadtowhisperin hisear,‘IloveyouSanta,’andtogive himasmallpeckonthecheek,he foundhimselfchokingup.Hiseyes welling,hewasleftspeechless.
Thegirllethimgo,turningher attentiontohermother,‘Mummy, canwegototheparknow?’With permission,thegirltookoff.
ThemothergaveGerryalookof bemusementasheattemptedto regainhiscomposure.Withouta word,sheturnedtopursueKatie, shoutingtohertoslowdownand wait.
Gerrywatchedthemgoforafew secondsbeforehereturnedtothe cliffedge.Hetookone�inaldeep breath,savouringthefreshsaltiness, beforeretrievinghisphonefromthe dewygrass.
JPW,Magilligan
MH,Hydebank
The Shannon Trust A Prisoner Led Initiative ItrainedasaShannonTrust mentorinApril2016,in Peterboroughprison,England. I’vesinceworkedinmyroleas amentorin�iveprisonsacross theNorthofIrelandandEngland. I’verecentlybeenpromotedto MentorCo-ordinator.
At�irsttherewerechallenges,itwas anewinitiativeintheprison,and gettingindividualstoenrolinvolved changingmind-setsandpriorities. Otherstumblingblocksincluded buildingpositiveattitudesandtrust betweenof�icersandmentors,as wellaswithprisonersonthewings intermsofnohiddenagendasand ourcommitmenttotheproject.
Ialmostgaveup,evenbeforemy �irstlearnerhadcompletedthe programme,untilonedayhereada letter,forthe�irsttimeinhislife, fromhiseight-year-olddaughter. Themomentwassopowerful,Ihad alumpinmythroatandquickly madeanexcusetogotothetoilet.I neededtocollectmythoughts,and getbackinthezone.Theprideand thejoyonthisman’sfacemadeup mymindforme,andthegoodthat camefromthiswastimewellspent andfaroutweighedthenegatives.I decidednomatterwhatobstaclesI facedIwasgoingtocontinuebeinga mentorfortheShannonTrust.Itwas oneofthebestdecisionsI’vemade onmyjourneythroughmyprison sentence.
I’vetaughtover�iftylearnersto read,twenty�iveprisonerstowrite andthirtytospell.I’vetaughtsix learnersnumeracy,whichisanew addition.TheShannonTrustisan assettoprisonersandtheirchances ofgaininganeducation,andnot leastatabasiclevelmanagingdayto daylifeinprison,and,crucially, beingabletoreadlettersfromloved ones.
HowtheShannon Trustworks?It’son aonetoonebasis, peertopeer.It’s alsocon�idential andcan bedone over lunchor offthewingfor yourprivacy.The requirements?Be willingtolearn, theminimum amountof sessionsarethree halfhourlessons perweekwith youandyour mentor.Youcan gainuptosix accredited certi�icatesfor readingandthe samefor numeracy.Ifyou areinterested hereinMagilligan, pleaseputitona requesttoSO DaveySpratt, AshleyPaulorask fortheShannon TrustMentorCoordinatortocome seeyou.
Ifyouarein Hydebankor Maghaberry,and areinterestedin beingamentoror learner,please contactyour sentencemanager oranyonefrom ShannonTrustto takepartinthe program.
Watchthisspace, anewShannon TrustHubis openingvery soon.Foranyone whowouldliketo learnwithmore privacy,offthe wing,orwitha mentorfrom anotherwingthe hubwillbethe perfectspotfor you. MJS,Magilligan
Learning to Read Learning to read, learning to write,
I was full of frustration, I had to get it right,
I was full of confusion, I didn’t feel that bright I’m not going to lie, I was getting it tight.
Letters from my girlfriend I’d wonder what they say, They’re coming in the post every other day.
Dose she still love me? Is she ok?
I need to ease my mind so I practice every day.
I got a pen and paper, and a few CDs
I blocked out the words and listened to the beats
A mind full of rhythm, I write it on a sheet,
As I think about home the words started to flow,
Scribbles on a page only I’d know, Each and every day my learning style grows
I never went to school, it could be worse,
I can block out the lyrics and write my own verse
I’d bang on my door, I’d shout and curse.
I was locked up in prison through learning I’d leave
Always be creative and have selfbelief
If you put your mind to it, anything can be achieved
As my book opens my world is revealed.
Cruse
PrisonArtsFoundation(PAF)isa registeredcharitythatseeksto provideaccesstotheartsforpeople whohaveoffendedinNorthern Ireland.Ourmissionistoinspire creativityandencouragepersonal andsocialchangeinoffenderswithin thecriminaljusticesystem,through thearts.
Artificial Intelligence Somanyadvancesandchanges SinceI’vebeenimprisoned Wherewillwebein2028? Howfarcanitgo? Doweneedtoworryaboutemployment? Ourfuture? Willhumanitybemaderedundant?
WillSkynetstrike�irst? IsTerminator2:JudgementDayabouttohappen? WillRobotstakeover? Isthisforourownprotection? Isthisevolutionaryprogression? Ishumanityupfornaturalselection?
CanAIsaveourpreciousplanet? STOPtheriseofdangerousgasses? Stemhungeramongthemasses? Finally�indacureforCancer? IsAIhumanity’sanswer?
Endsufferingandhumantorture Buildingblockstostackthefuture.
WB,Magilligan
Credits CoverArt:RMcA; GraphicDesign:JPW
Writers:BT,HonestJim,JWMC,JPW,AC,PMB,BigL,WV,PMN,JK,RMcA,RED, MJS,DON;
Poets:RED,SMcC,DH,FD,MH,VD; ThankstoLRLforhishelpwiththeproofreading.
TimeInMagazine
EducationCentre
HMPMagilligan PointRoad
LimavadyBT490LR
PrisonArtsFoundation Unit3,ClanmilArts&BusinessCentre NorthernWhigBuilding 2-10BridgeStreet Belfast
Phone:02890247872
Email:info@prisonartsfoundation.com
Allcontributionswelcome.Whilereasonablecarehasbeentakeninthepreparationofmaterialinthemagazine,Time Inacceptsnoresponsibilityinlawforaccuracyorcontentsofeachissue.Noitemmaybereproducedwithoutthe writtenpermissionofPAF.
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