NOT SHUT UP

Welcome to NOT SHUT UP

NOT SHUT UP is a magazine featuring some of the best writing by people in prison, or in closed hospitals, immigration centres and other secure settings. Created to serve London’s prisons, the magazine appears three times a year and ISSUE 13 is just out. 5000 copies if Issues 1 to 11 were circulated only to London prisons but with Issue 12 (Autumn 2009) NOT SHUT UP became a national project. Writing (and art) was included from many different places both inside London and countrywide, much of this work having gained Koestler Prizes. The magazine, with the help and support of the Koestler Trust was circulated nationally. Three copies of the new Issue 13 have been sent out to every institution and this will rise to ten copies in future. We will continue to send out 5000 copies to prisons in and near London, which collectively house some 8000 people.

We are grateful to the writers (mainly the Writers In Prison Network) also the tutors and teachers who work in many prisons to encourage writing and send it on to us; we are also pleased to receive work sent direct to us by prisoners and others.

In this online issue:

FICTION: A story by Don BAG OF BAGS ; and another by Kingsley TAKING A DARE

INTERVIEW: Shaun Attwood talks about his experience of being imprisoned in the United States and how writing helped him survive.

REFLECTION: Khalid talks about being drug-free

POETRY: Mark remembers SPAIN. Steve on 14 Important Things, David has Reasons To Be Cheerful, Wendy writes about Mud, and Jeff recalls Scary People

MEMORIES: John has thoughts about being SAFE and Kelly recalls both good and bad times

ART: We have featured an art project by professional artist Ron Haselden – but you need to buy the magazine to see that! And lots more: 52 pages of talented work.

Not Shut Up is a registered charity (Charity No. 1090610) and a company limited by guarantee (registered in London No. 04260355).