Event explores prison fictions and writing imprisonment
Posted on 20 June 2012
Part of the York Festival of Ideas 2012, the event “Prison Fiction and Writing Imprisonment” at the University’s Berrick Saul Building on Thursday, 21 June, is the culmination of a Prisons Fictions and Human Rights Project.
The practice of writing in and about prisons and incarceration will be explored by practitioners, a former prisoner and a former prison governor, as well as internationally recognised author Gillian Slovo, current President of English PEN.
The event has been organised by Dr Claire Westall and Dr Michelle Kelly, from the University’s Department of English and Related Literature.
Dr Westall said: “Speakers will talk about incarceration, human rights and literature from a range of different personal and professional perspectives.
“The speakers will take us from the UK, through South Africa and out to Guantanamo. Their diverse experiences and forms of writing demonstrate the specificity of imprisonment and its representation for each particular individual and situation. Yet, their overlapping concerns with the difficulties involved in such acts of representation, and the wider socio-economic and political patterns behind systems of incarceration, demonstrate fundamental and telling connections between prison fictions and writings about imprisonment in a global as well as local context.”
Speakers will talk about incarceration, human rights and literature from a range of different personal and professional perspectives
Dr Claire Westall
The event, which will be attended by representatives from local prisons and associated bodies, has been organised in association with English PEN, and will mark the launch of York PEN.
As well as Gillian Slovo, speakers include Erwin James from the Guardian and Professor David Wilson, from Birmingham City University. Kate Hendry from HMP Shotts and Motherwell College, and playwright Lynda Radley will talk about the Inspiring Change Project that helped put art, literature and theatre in some of Scotland’s prisons.
Admission to main session at 5.30pm, which involves Erwin James, Professor David Wilson, Lynda Radley and Gillian Slovo, is by free ticket only available from yorkfestivalofideas.com/tickets/.
This session will be preceded by other speakers and activities, including the launch of York PEN. No booking is required for these events, which run from 3pm, and also take place in the Berrick Saul Building. These include an Inspiring Change Panel, plus a wine reception, book signings and a chance to win a signed book from each speaker.
For further information visit the York Festival of Ideas website at yorkfestivalofideas.com/talks/2012/prison-writing/.
Notes to editors:
- For more information on York Festival of Ideas 2012 visit yorkfestivalofideas.com/
- For more information on the University of York’s Centre for Modern Studies visit www.york.ac.uk/english
- More information about English PEN at www.englishpen.org
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