Behind the Lines

Michael Crowley is a youth justice worker and writer. His published works include poetry and plays. He has written for youth theatre and been writer in residence at a young offender institution for the past five years honing daily the methods now described in this practical and generous handbook.

'A very useful resource for those working in difficult environments, with students who generally have low levels of traditional educational attainment, negative learning experiences and who, due to cultural and class barriers, are not accustomed to engaging with the arts, either in institutions or outside': Cormac Behan, Lecturer in Criminology, University of Sheffield. 'Essential reading for anyone interested in the real challenges of rehabilitation': Pat Jones, Director of the Prisoners Education Trust (2008-12). 'Shows how you can turn the lead of anger and despair in prisoners into the gold of insight and creativity': Oliver James, author. 'Shows a sceptical world that [young offenders] are capable of reflection, of understanding what led them into the acts they have committed and the effects on other people and on themselves': Alicia Stubbersfield, Poet and Koestler Award Judge. 'A wake-up call to the educational system, which allows so many young people to leave school in the parlous position that he describes, and which creative writers up and down the country are devoting so much time and effort to mitigate': David Ramsbotham.