If prison is a factory, it’s definitely failing because we can’t all agree on what it’s making’
Thousands of books have been written about men in prison – What We’re Made Of Is a book written by men in prison. This diverse compilation of original work came out of The Factory on the Royal Canal project, which took place over a year in Mountjoy Prison.
Inspired by the Theatre of the Oppressed and facilitated by Lynn Ruane and Grace Dyas, men in prison explored power through role plays of appression, where the audience can volunteer to change the story. Over time, the men empowered themselves to become writers, actors, set designers and directors, ultimately staging two original plays, Prison Rules and Pedro’s Dream. The performances took place in front of an invited audience of 150 people, among them some of the highest ranking decision makers and advocated in Ireland, as well as the men’s families.
What We’re Made Of puts you in the room with the men on that day and includes reflections from the men (under the name of Pedro), there families and the audience.
The book concludes with an inspiring manifesto and a guide on ow it can be used to create change in youth, justice and community settings.