PLANTS, PRISONS & POTENTIAL

cOMMISSIONED BY THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY with HMP SEND
coNNECTING rhs archives of gardening in incarceration
with WOMen in prison exploring wellbeing impacts
methods creative workshops, co-produced portraits & wall murals
funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund

Plants, Prison & Potential uses RHS archives from the Ruhleben WW1 internment camp to inspire present-day people in prison to consider the impact of activities like gardening on wellbeing in incarceration. The creative programme was first devised at HMP Send, Surrey, where a diverse group of participants took part, including women with neurodiversity and mental health challenges. The resulting poetry, drawing and photography showcased here, at RHS Wisley and in the online exhibition, give a sincere and moving insight into experiences of health and horticulture behind bars.

RHS online exhibition: Plants, Prison & Potential

A bespoke Plants, Prison & Potential programme has now been delivered in two further prisons, each with unique participant-led co-produced outcomes. You can see artworks and murals produced at HMP Hewell, Worcestershire, here and a metalwork collaboration produced at HMP Altcourse, Liverpool, here.