"I found my voice again": women at HMP Grampian unveil mural marking resilience and hope
September 10, 2026Posted by:
"For the first time in a long time, someone listened. I felt seen. I found my voice again."
That's how one of the women describes taking part in a new mural at HMP Grampian's Banff Hall, unveiled on Thursday 27th August after months of work by twelve women in the Learning Hub's art, creative writing and ICT classes. Alongside the mural, the group also created a Legacy Booklet, gathering their own writing, reflections and artwork.
What they produced is, in their own words, "not our past" but "the future we choose."
From one woman's story to everyone's story
The project began as a simple plan to repaint an existing mural, with an early focus on depicting influential women chosen by participants. As the work took shape, the group decided the next mural shouldn't tell someone else's story. It should tell theirs.
So the idea shifted: rather than individual figures, the mural would represent the shared experiences, strength and achievements of women more broadly, built from creative writing on identity, gratitude, hope and resilience.
"What began as a mural became a voice," the booklet reads. "What became a voice became a legacy."
Built through setbacks, not around them
Painting took place in an unheated corridor, and the weather didn't always cooperate. The delays this caused pushed the timeline back, but also gave the group more time to develop their creative writing, resulting in a fuller final booklet.
"We didn't just paint a wall," the booklet reads. "We built confidence. We built friendships. We built something that will outlive us."
Colour, drips and a message on the wall
Every choice in the finished mural carries meaning. Teal for calm and renewal. Pink for compassion. Orange for strength. The paint drips running down the wall aren't a flaw; the women describe them as deliberate, representing that "nothing is perfect, and that's ok."
Messages painted directly into the piece, including "you are worth it" and "time to heal," sit alongside portraits created by the group. As one contributor put it: "I didn't think I fitted in. Now I feel part of something. We lift each other up."
In their own words
For the women who took part, the project became something to be proud of.
"It's been amazing to be so involved in it from the start, and to feel so recognised for my contributions," one said.
Another reflected on seeing her own writing become part of something permanent: "To see my words up on the wall and in the legacy book has been so special. It has meant so much that I have finally accomplished something that I could be proud of and could show my kids."
A legacy that's still growing
Colleagues who work in Banff Hall have felt the impact too. One Scottish Prison Service Officer, after reading the finished booklet, said: "I had a lump in my throat reading through it, it's honestly amazing." Another Scottish Prison Service Officer described the effect of walking past the mural on shift: "It's brilliant, the mural looks amazing, and it's obvious how much the project has meant to the ladies."
Roz McCurrach, Unit Manager at the Scottish Prison Service, said: "This project has created a meaningful and lasting contribution to Banff Hall. The commitment shown by the women involved, alongside the support of PeoplePlus and partner organisations, has resulted in an inspiring piece of work that reflects creativity, resilience and achievement. It highlights the important role that education and learning opportunities play in supporting personal growth and positive outcomes."
Kathleen Ramsay, Operations Manager at PeoplePlus Scotland, added: "The women involved showed tremendous commitment throughout the project, and the finished mural stands as a lasting reminder of their creativity, resilience and potential."
That commitment showed up in the routine: the women attended Learning Hub classes two to three times a week across the several months it took to complete the mural and booklet.
The mural's influence has reached beyond Banff Hall's walls. Copies of the Legacy Booklet are shared with women in Banff and with their families and visitors, and, perhaps most powerfully, with every woman on her first night in custody. The Scottish Prison Service has also redesigned its own information booklet to match the mural's theme.
The mural is intended to act as a lasting legacy within Banff Hall, inspiring future learners. As the women write in their own booklet: "This is not the end of your story. It's the beginning of whatever you choose next."
Alongside the mural and booklet, participants gained qualifications recognised by Qualifications Scotland, including Problem Solving, Working with Others, Communication, the PDA Practical Abilities Award, and creative writing and art. The mural and booklet were unveiled at a celebration event attended by representatives from the Scottish Prison Service, PeoplePlus and partner organisations, which also gave visitors the chance to see the wider support available to women in custody. 200 copies of the Legacy Booklet have been printed, with around two-thirds distributed so far. A digital version is also available.
September 10, 2026Posted by:
