Veteran soldiers in Maghaberry and Magilligan prisons have
hand-crafted clay army cap badges for a unique exhibition.
The arts project entitled ‘The Badge is Everything', has
been created by 30 ex-soldiers serving time in prison in Northern
Ireland over the past two years.
Funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, the Crafting
Resilience project for veteran soldiers was delivered by the
Northern Ireland Prison Service in partnership with Start360, RDV
Service and the Prison Arts Foundation.
The exhibition features 40 stylized ‘soldiers', designed as
a wooden A-frame structure, which serves as a support for a
unique cap badge crafted from earthenware clay. The cap badges
are all hand-crafted, kiln-fired and finished with old gold,
bronze or silver glaze, symbolizing their individuality and
honour of each man's military service. Each structure also
features three words chosen by the ex-servicemen, reflecting
aspects of their military experience.
Maghaberry Prison Governor Tracy Megrath said: “The introduction
of a veteran's hub at Maghaberry for prisoners from an armed
forces background came about through one of our own Senior Prison
Officers, who previously served in the British Army. That
officer, who worked with the Safety and Support team, identified
an ever-increasing number of individuals in custody that were ex
armed forces – and a group which felt particularly vulnerable,
would isolate and were reluctant to engage in anything
meaningful.
“He created a hub that would bring this group together and
linking in with SSAFA - the armed forces charity - now works
collaboratively with them supporting their wellbeing while in
custody.
“The Northern Ireland Prison Service works with many partners in
its rehabilitation and resettlement of prisoners, and among them
in recent years has been SSAFA. Together we provide essential
support to this community in prison.”
Lucy Turner, Prison Art Foundation Artist in Resident at
Maghaberry and Magilligan, said: “The exhibition provides a
poignant glimpse into military life, its impact, its realities.
As a single collective identity, it shifts the focus away from
the individuals and toward a shared experience and reinforces the
spirit of teamwork.”
Tommie Linton MBE, Prevention, Intervention Practitioner with
Start360, said: “We provide a non-judgmental support service to
veterans no matter what the circumstances, and this project came
about as a collaboration between Start360 and the Prison Arts
Foundation. It was introduced to encourage veterans to think
about not only their mental health but also to seek the wide
range of support that is available to them, once they are
released back into the community.”
Notes to editors:
1. Maghaberry is a modern high security prison housing adult male
long term sentenced and remand prisoners, in both separated and
integrated conditions.
2. Magilligan is a medium to low security Prison which holds male
prisoners with six years or less to serve and who meet the
relevant security classification.
