A verbatim film-research collaboration seeking to raise awareness of prison suicide

Abstract

This short (15m) film produced by Lung features a mother whose son ended his own life in prison in 2013, it explores bereavement by prison suicide and the formal investigations that follow. It was produced to help disseminate findings from a broader study of prison regulation (2020-2024). Traditional academic research presentations can reduce the people at their centre to data and statistics. Film provided a means of meaningfully including lived experiences in our dissemination strategy and emotionally engaging attendees. Whilst this one mother’s experiences do not represent the diverse needs of those who have lost loved ones in prison, hers is not an isolated case. In a three-year period, between May 2013 – December 2016, 18 prisoners took their own lives at the prison which the film features (Tomczak, 2018). During this period, the prison combined multiple complex functions and serious staff cuts and shortages had led to boredom and isolation amongst prisoners, which are major contributing factors for self-harm. Furthermore, suicide prevention policies were designed when there were significantly more prison staff and significantly fewer prisoners (Tomczak, 2022).

The film itself is a co-created ‘verbatim’ account of a mother’s experience. Professional choreographers and musicians added dramatic interpretations. Tomczak’s research team funded the film and wraparound therapeutic support, and shared research findings and ethics resources. The mother who features in the film made the informed choice to appear in the film herself. As this means the film is deeply personal and identifies people involved, it is screened only in organised research and training events, which the co-creators are always given the opportunity to collaborate on. It has not been made publicly available to mitigate prejudice, misuse and abuse.

Please see attached Word document for a request form for a private short-term access link for an agreed purpose and audience.

As this film features suicide, we recommend that screeners signpost audiences to supports. E.g., Samaritans offer a free 24/7 confidential listener line 116 123. This and other signposts are included in the film’s postscript.

A Q&A with filmmakers can be arranged to accompany the film, contact Matt Woodhead for details info@lungtheatre.co.uk

Rights owners (and main point of contact for enquiries about the film) Matt Woodhead, LUNG. info@lungtheatre.co.uk