A sample of feedback from rehearsed reading at Menagerie Theatre Cambridge, July 22, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, Feb 23 and Seven Dials Theatre London April 23.

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At the end of last month, I was lucky enough to attend a rehearsed reading of the play, Penned Up by Danusia Iwaszko. She asks the question: “Prisoners, should we lock them up and throw away the key?” It was a thought-provoking and emotional piece. I was amazed at how accurately the play portrayed how rehabilitation programmes can work with the right approach. For many in the audience I know the play was a real eye opener. The play revolves around a group of six inmates who join a ten week playwrighting course, mainly to get out of their cells for a couple of hours, and they are blown away by what they achieve. The script vividly highlights the individual difficulties of each inmate and their deep suspicion of authority, anger, frustration and severe lack of self confidence, it is no surprise tensions do boil over. The play graphically depicted this challenge. On release, prisoners must be provided with what many of us take for granted – a home, a job and an income. In too many situations this does not happen and the slippery slope back into criminality becomes a reality. Once again the play provided us with a vivid insight into this individual challenge. They have served their sentences and deserve an opportunity to become good citizens. After all it was Churchill who said: “In the heart of everyman is a jewel if only you can find it!”