HOMEWARD BOUND by Mary Cooper

26 February – 30 March 07

This collaboration with Action For Prisoner’s Families is touring to 26 Prisons and Young Offender Institutions in the North West, Wales, East Midlands and the South East and 11 Conference/Training settings for support agencies working within the criminal justice system.

The 5 week tour of Homeward Bound is funded by Lloyds TSB Foundation, John Lewis Partnership and NOMs Wales.

‘Craig swears he will be the perfect husband and dad when he is released from prison. Tania and their son, Connor love him – but can they afford to believe him?’

Homeward Bound was originally developed by M6 in collaboration with Action for Prisoners’ Families for their AGM conference in April 2005. The resounding success of the play resulted in a tour to schools, prisons, YOI’s and venues in the North West and South East in Autumn 2005.

The play explores the impact imprisonment can have on the partners and children left behind, revealing the emotional conflicts family members face when a prison sentence ends.

The performances in schools and prisons were accompanied an interactive workshop. M6’s workshop facilitator & team were specifically trained to deal with issues that may arise from the piece and the workshop.

Due to the demand and the overwhelming success of the tour, particularly within the prison system, M6 are re-touring the show to prison’s and YOI’s Spring 2007

“ Powerful and brave, the standard of acting was remarkable – it rang with a truth beyond expectation”
Rev M G Vipond, Chaplain @ YOI Warren Hill

“This is by far the most powerful play and best production I have seen in my 20 years working in the Prison Service ”
Paul Wilson, Regional Offending Manager Yorks & Humberside

“I wanted to cry at some points during the play, the boy was just how I was, and I felt really sorry for him”
Pupil with a family member in prison @ Framingham Earl High School

" The cast’s knowledge of prison life was spot-on! This has clearly been a huge eye-opener for many prisoners"
Jason Moore, Ormiston Trust

“It was incredibly powerful and demonstrated such a high level of skill, understanding and empathy ... As a practitioner I have met so many 'Pauls' and was reminded why I feel so passionately about the work I do with offenders and their families - thank you”
Trish Thompson – Citizens Advice Bureau

Quotes from various Prisoners during workshop sessions throughout the tour:

“I was already 80% thinking that I want to change for my wife and kids, now I’m thinking that way 100%.”

“It hit home to me, I’ve been in prison 13 times, watching this has now made me think about the sentence that my wife and kids are serving on the outside”

“I’ve never really thought about what it’s like for my kids until now”

“I just want to phone my wife, I need to speak to her now”

“It makes me think for the first time about the effect this has on my mum and my family” - Young offender