Unlocking: theatre in prison

Since 2014, Jubilo Foundation has been developing the project Unlocking within the premises of Penitentiary No. 1 of Wrocław, with inmates of closed and half-open department. One of the objectives of the project is to react to the problem of exclusion and marginalization of the inmates from society as well as developing their artistic awareness and possibilities of expression. Participating in the training programs and performances developed by Jubilo, the inmates have the possibility to develop themselves as well as improve social and theatrical skills.

In 2017 the performance Reflection [dir. Agnieszka Bresler, Diego Pileggi, Simona Sala, 2015] won the 4th National Competition of Prison Theatre Art in Poznan and received Grand Prix of the 26th National and 14th International Review of Prison Art in Sztum.

The project, alongside directors, actors and theatre pedagogues, involves academics, probation officers and educators. Apart from the artistic intervention, main aim of the project is also to support the inmates involved in the work, in a wider re-socialization process as well as open a concrete dialogue with the theatre, academic and curator communities, building in this way a bridge between the inmates and the external Society.

In 2018 was officially opened, within the premises of Penitentiary N.1 of Wrocław, the Kleczkowska Theatre, a professional theater space which has been renovated and equipped with a lighting and sound system by joint work of the inmates and Jubilo team. The project Unlocking is one of the first initiatives of its kind in Europe, building and promoting theatre on a wide scale in prison. Since many years, the project has been co-financed by the City of Wrocław and supported by the Grotowski Institute.