University screening of ‘Inside Peace’ sparks interest in the Peace Education Programme

Chad Greggor

Students of the University of York have expressed interest in finding out more about running the Peace Education Programme in a prison setting after the film ‘Inside Peace’ was screened at the university in October. 

The film event was well received by the Department of Criminology and was held in conjunction with CrimNet, the university’s research network on crime and criminal justice.

‘Inside Peace’ is a multi-award-winning film which follows the journey of inmates in a Texas prison as they persevere in living a life of peace.
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Inside Peace Trailer (2016) from Studio View Productions on Vimeo.

After the film screened, members of the audience were invited to ask questions of PEP volunteers Tony McLean, Carolyn Kean and a PEP attendee known as Karl K.

Tony told the audience that while there were no academic evaluations taking place on PEP at present, such studies would be very welcome to measure the success which the programme has in the prison community.

Speaking on attending the PEP programme in prison, Karl said, “you go because you want to go.” He told the audience how he had seen himself and others change during the programme and that he had seen the benefits of this change.

PEP sessions are already running in UK prisons: Thameside, Doncaster, Leeds, Kilmarnock, Littlehey, North Sea Camp, Ashfield and Channings Wood. 

There are plans to use the programme across London after the Prem Rawat Foundation announced a major rollout of PEP to all Londoners over 14 years old to help tackle violent crime.

The screening held at the University of York is part of a series of events taking place at universities across the UK, including Northumbria University, the University of Bradford, the University of South Wales.and the University of the West of England.