{"product_id":"the-barlinnie-special-unit-kirstin-anderson-9781914603464","title":"The Barlinnie Special Unit: Art, Punishment and Innovation","description":"\u003cp\u003eFifty years ago, a small unit in HM Prison Barlinnie, Glasgow, became a radical experiment whose approach polarised opinion. It encouraged shared decision-making between prisoners and staff, allowed greater access to families and enabled prisoners to explore creative activities. Through the support of visiting artists, and the voices of the prisoners themselves, notably the sculptor Jimmy Boyle (author of A Sense of Freedom), its impact challenged prevailing, disciplinarian prison culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eArts of various kinds, plus respectful and challenging dialogue, released dormant abilities and strengths in hitherto recalcitrant, formerly violent prisoners. Always controversial, the legacy of the Barlinnie Special Unit challenges overly punitive ideas around crime to this day.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe first edited collection on the Barlinnie Special Unit's almost 22-year history with contributions by those who were there at the time, or helped preserve its legacy. They include artist filmmaker Bill Beech, Scotland's first art therapist Joyce Laing, leading Scottish impresario Richard Demarco, Sara Trevelyan, ex-wife of Jimmy Boyle (who also contributes), Rupert Wolfe Murray, son of Boyle's publisher, Professor Mike Nellis of Strathclyde University, Claire Coia, a curator at Glasgow's Open Museum, Andrew Coyle, founding Director of the International Centre for Prison Studies and journalist, and former Scottish MP Brian Wilson.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Kirstin Anderson\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 191460346X\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781914603464\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Waterside Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/01\/2024\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 298\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.93lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.21h x 6.14w x 0.81d","brand":"Kirstin Anderson","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46217245491455,"sku":"9781914603464","price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_13fd7a6b-e6ac-4262-a310-d8a76878b83d.jpg?v=1728514684","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-barlinnie-special-unit-kirstin-anderson-9781914603464","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}