Polmont: Young offenders create powerful films to act as deterrent from crime and gangs

Young men and women in custody are working alongside a charity to deter others from being drawn into gangs, drugs and crime.

Real-life stories have been turned into a series of hard-hitting films, which will be shown in secure accommodations, prisons and potentially high schools to increase awareness of issues including exploitation and grooming.

Among the stories being told is Ryan’s, who is currently halfway through a custodial sentence at HMP & YOI Polmont.

Aged 15, Ryan was “selling wee bits of drugs.” He then moved to shifting larger amounts, holding money and weapons. By 18, he was in prison.

Ryan is among young men and women working with the Renfrewshire charity “I Am Me Scotland” to develop the new resource.

He told STV News: “When you are young, you think you are on the top of the world. I have grown up a lot in prison. It changes you.

“Jail is a horrible place to be. Maybe if someone in prison had spoken to me or shown me a film like this, it might have made me think twice about what I was getting into.

“For me, after getting involved with gangs, I got mixed up with some dangerous people. I got robbed and I then owed them money. The situation got worse. Then it was too late.”

Gangs and organised crime groups often use a practice known as debt bondage to force young people into carrying out their demands.

It is just one of the tactics highlighted by the charity’s work. Real-life stories have been turned into seven short films to increase awareness of issues including child exploitation, county lines drug dealing, human trafficking and grooming.

The resource may also be adapted for use in secondary schools.

Carol Burt-Wilson from “I Am Me Scotland” said: “When we started off with the group in Polmont in March, we came with a blank piece of paper.

“We have also been working with St Mary Kenmure and Good Shepherd secure units. The feedback from all involved has been exceptionally positive.

“I think the fact it is real voices and real experiences, young people will be able to relate to the stories. Nothing is glamorised, and particularly with Ryan’s story, it does not glamorise prison.

“Young people will see how hard it can be and the lack of choices it gives you. Hopefully, it will give them something to think about. “

It is the first time that groups in HMP & YOI Polmont have been involved in a project of this kind. The accompanying lesson plan will form part of the prison’s ongoing rehabilitation work.

Topics covered across a variety of programmes range from understanding consent to addictions and domestic violence.

Prison officer Tommy Steele leads the educational work at HMP & YOI Polmont, which now also houses adult women.

Steele said: “We have a lot of boys who do not have a clue about some of the subjects we talk about because all they have been trying to do is survive on the street.

“They believe to do that you have to be in the right gang, and you have got to get money whatever way you can. It is only when they come into a place like this, they see there is an alternative life.

“We find most will gladly speak up during group work because no-one has actually asked them before ‘How are you feeling?’ In the past, authority has told them, whether it is education, police or judiciary, this is what is going to happen to you.”

Michaela, who is in Polmont serving a short-term sentence, also helped with the film making process.

The 30-year-old said: “If the film helps one person, then it has done its job. Hopefully, it will help a lot more. When I was young, all I had was a social worker reading out a book.

“If I had watched something like this, I think I could have avoided some bad situations. “

Michaela was part of a group involved in writing a film called “Trapped,” which shines a light on human trafficking and different levels of exploitation.

It tells the same story from two different perspectives: a young girl lured into drugs and crime as well as a male perpetrator.

Michaela said: “When I first saw the finished video, I thought wow. I felt a real sense of pride when I saw my name up on the screen. I just hope the film helps other lassies and boys see red flags. “

“I did not know half of this stuff beforehand. I can see how easy it is for people to be reeled in. Everyone just wants to be a part of something. I think if you have never had that, you really believe those who are taking advantage of you are like family and deeply care about you. “

“I have been in and out of prison. This course has been good for me as it is the first time I have tried to deal with a lot of the stuff going on in my head. “

The charity and prison stress throughout the course the welfare of all taking part is paramount.

Steele added: “We are very aware of when we talk about adverse childhood experiences that we could be opening a can of worms, so we tread very carefully.

“We always talk to the boys afterwards to make sure they have not been traumatised by something we have spoken about. We also have a safety net with psychologists and specialist listeners. “

The first screening of Ryan’s story in Polmont was positively received by a group of his peers who openly shared their own experiences after watching a young actor recreate the events that led up to his conviction.

Ryan hopes future showings will prompt similar discussions. He also has words of warning for any young person tempted to join a gang.

“Just do not go down that road,” he said. “You are better sticking in at school and getting a decent job.

“My first night in prison, I cried the whole time. I think a lot about what I have done to my family and ask myself why did I do it?

“At times I feel like I have never really done anything good in my life. It has always been bad. Getting involved with this work helped me realise I can do something good.”