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Definition
What does Civic Dignity actually mean?
/ ˈsɪvɪk dɪɡnɪti' /
CIVIC
The duties, rights, or activities of people in relation to their community.
DIGNITY
The quality of being worthy of respect or recognition.
DIGNITY
The quality of being worthy of respect or recognition.
get involved
creative contributions
The aim of Civic Dignity is to stimulate a public dialogue about prisoner voting rights through creative expression. Art transcends language, space, and barriers (including prison walls). It offers alternative and accessible methods of communicating and urges contemplation. Prisoners’ rights and how punishment is practiced can be divisive issues. This forum is intended to (respectfully) raise awareness, encourage deliberation, and to enable a better understanding of how political marginalisation or exclusion impacts individuals and communities.
Submitted art will soon be exhibited in the Gallery and across the website.
Take the Poll
Should Prisoners be barred from Voting?
Click on the option that best reflects your view on this issue. One vote per person, please!
for insiders
submissions from those who are currently incarcerated
If you or someone you love is currently incarcerated, please get in touch – by e-mail or post – about how submissions from the inside can be made. Although this project is based in the UK, it is open to prisoners everywhere. All creative expressions and forms are welcome (though some restrictions do apply). This includes but is not limited to spoken word or musical recordings; written texts like poetry, short stories, or personal reflections; drawings, paintings, or mosaics; sculptures; textiles or knitted creations; or PowerPoint presentations or other digital designs. I encourage you to use the following statements as prompts for creative reflection:
Being barred from voting (also known as civil death) makes me feel…
This is what civic dignity/being part of a community/voting/having a voice means to me.
What is the relationship between citizenship and punishment? Should prisoners lose the right to vote?
In what ways can incarcerated people be active citizens? What might this mean in prison and post-release?
A famous reformer once said that prisons should aim to ‘make good citizens, not good prisoners’. Can prisons achieve this? What does this quote mean to you? What is the difference between a good citizen and a good prisoner?
Some prisoners feel stigmatised (publicly shamed or stereotyped) or excluded from society. What can be done to make incarcerated or formerly incarcerated people feel more included, especially within their local communities?
for insiders
submissions from those who are currently incarcerated
If you or someone you love is currently incarcerated, please get in touch – by e-mail or post – about how submissions from the inside can be made. Although this project is based in the UK, it is open to prisoners everywhere. All creative expressions and forms are welcome (though some restrictions do apply). This includes but is not limited to spoken word or musical recordings; written texts like poetry, short stories, or personal reflections; drawings, paintings, or mosaics; sculptures; textiles or knitted creations; or PowerPoint presentations or other digital designs. I encourage you to use the following statements as prompts for creative reflection:
- Being barred from voting (also known as civil death) makes me feel…
- This is what civic dignity/being part of a community/voting means to me.
- What is the relationship between citizenship and punishment? Should prisoners lose the right to vote?
- In what ways can incarcerated people be active citizens? What might this mean in prison and post-release?
- A famous reformer once said that prisons should aim to ‘make good citizens, not good prisoners’. Can prisons achieve this? What does this quote mean to you? What is the difference between a good citizen and a good prisoner?
- Some prisoners feel stigmatised (publicly shamed or stereotyped) or excluded from society. What can be done to make incarcerated or formerly incarcerated people feel more included, especially within their local communities?
for the public
submissions from all other members of the public
For members of the general public, including those with previous or lived experience of the criminal justice system, please get in touch about how submissions can be made. All members of the public – in the UK or internationally – are welcome to contribute. If your creation is easily posted or e-mailed, please feel free to do so immediately! All creative expressions and forms are welcome (though some restrictions do apply). This includes but is not limited to spoken word or musical recordings; written texts like poetry, short stories, personal reflections, or blogposts; drawings, paintings, murals, or photographs; sculptures, glass or woodworks, or other 3D pieces; textiles or knitted creations; or anything digital. I encourage you to use the following statements as prompts for creative reflection:
What do you think about prisoner voting rights? Should voting be considered a privilege or right?
This is what citizenship/being part of a community/voting means to me.
What is the relationship between citizenship and punishment? Should prisoners lose the right to vote?
What are the risks or dangers associated with disenfranchisement? Does this strengthen democracy or weaken it?
In what ways can incarcerated people be active citizens? What might this mean in prison and post-release?
Some prisoners feel stigmatised (publicly shamed or stereotyped) or excluded from society. What can be done to make incarcerated or formerly incarcerated people feel more included, especially within their local communities?
Have you experienced a form of exclusion? How did this feel?
How else can civic and political participation be promoted and energised more broadly?
for the public
submissions from all other members of the public
For members of the general public, including those with previous or lived experience of the criminal justice system, please get in touch about how submissions can be made. All members of the public – in the UK or internationally – are welcome to contribute. If your creation is easily posted or e-mailed, please feel free to do so immediately! All creative expressions and forms are welcome (though some restrictions do apply). This includes but is not limited to spoken word or musical recordings; written texts like poetry, short stories, personal reflections, or blogposts; drawings, paintings, murals, or photographs; sculptures, glass or woodworks, or other 3D pieces; textiles or knitted creations; or anything digital. I encourage you to use the following statements as prompts for creative reflection:
- What do you think about prisoner voting rights? Should voting be considered a privilege or right?
- This is what citizenship/being part of a community/voting means to me.
- What is the relationship between citizenship and punishment? Should prisoners lose the right to vote?
- What are the risks or dangers associated with disenfranchisement? Does this strengthen democracy or weaken it?
- In what ways can incarcerated people be active citizens? What might this mean in prison and post-release?
- Some prisoners feel stigmatised (publicly shamed or stereotyped) or excluded from society. What can be done to make incarcerated or formerly incarcerated people feel more included, especially within their local communities?
- Have you experienced a form of exclusion? How did this feel?
- How else can civic and political participation be promoted and energised more broadly?
the fine print
further details on submission restrictions and privacy
Submissions will not be accepted if they are derogatory or offensive. This includes art or writing that is racist, xenophobic, misogynistic, homophobic, or could be interpreted as harmful, hateful, or threatening to others. If in doubt, please contact me in advance.
All pieces should be original.
For pieces that are easily posted (drawings, writings, small paintings or sculptures) or e-mailed (digital files, recordings, photographs), please send them to me without further delay!
If your creation is too large, fragile, or awkward to send - or if it is in custody - please get in touch so we can find a solution.
If pieces are publicly displayed or immovable - like street art or another type of installation - please send a photo for the Gallery. If the piece can be visited, also include a location. For pieces created by a group, please take photos of the process!
For all pieces, please include a title and a few descriptive sentences about the piece (what it means to you or what you are trying to communicate with it). This will be helpful for viewers to fully engage with the piece.
Unless you specify otherwise, all work sent to me will be deemed eligible to be posted on this website or displayed at the art exhibition later in 2022.
Only first names (no surnames) will be used to identify the artist. If you would prefer to use a pseudonym (a fictitious name), please let me know.
If you would like to include your location (city/state/country – or prison), include this in your correspondence.
If you have any other questions or concerns, contact me!