Media Team Members, Media Education
In our previous article in the 2020-21 Annual Reporter ‘The Ripple Effect – the Advocacy & Empowerment of Shared Sentences’, my colleague and Co-Director of Media Education Iain Shaw, told you about the work that Community Justice Glasgow had asked Media Education to facilitate that would build on the success of the Ripple Effect and committed to updating on that work over 2021-22.
We were asked to create a series of films showcasing the breadth of work taking place in the city relating to 5 further themes:
- Women in the Community Justice System
- The Role of Social Enterprises in Reducing Re-offending
- Restorative Approaches
- Diversion and Prevention
- And Throughcare – following a sentence.
The creation of the films was to involve a training opportunity for those with lived experience of the justice system. Media Education specialise in providing training in storytelling and film and podcast creation for people to explore and present issues that affect them and their communities. We were able to offer the people working with us to create these films accredited qualifications in Access to Media and Community Leadership using Media.
Filming at Open Gates, a social enterprise that offers placements and employment to people following their Sentences
Two of the films were created during lockdown with the team meeting online and filming and conducting research and interviews virtually. As restrictions lifted our research continued and we were able to visit people and projects across the city. We were always blown away by the commitment of those working on the ground to help reduce offending, prevent re-offending, improve the life chances of people who had become involved in the justice system and build safer communities through dialogue and restorative approaches.
There is a lot of research into why people might get involved in the justice system and why we have ‘a revolving door’ and problems with reoffending. Changing this can sometimes feel impossible and sometimes it can seem that this is accepted as the way things are. As we visited projects in the city it seemed to us that many of the answers to this situation were well known by those working in this area. The problems are complex, but not insurmountable. It was our pleasure to film amazing projects that prove that with targeted support, lack of judgement and true commitment, it is possible to make safer communities for everyone and better life chances for those involved in the justice system.
We hope these films are inspiring and show what can be achieved. Thank you to everyone who gave their time. Over 2022-23 we will be rolling the films out at events and meetings, starting discussions with influencers, policy makers and communities. We are happy to come and screen the films and hold facilitated discussions on the issues raised. For more information, please contact Kate at kate@mediaeducation.co.uk
Link to films – https://vimeo.com/showcase/9606357
