Since 2019, our Learning team has collaborated with artists Melanie Crean, Katrina Palmer, Ain Bailey, and Amartey Golding on Resolution, a multi-year art and research project in prisons across Liverpool, Rochdale, and York. Imprisoned people and their families, prison staff, and key decision-makers were invited to take part in the project.

The collaborations culminated in the commissioning of four new artworks, presented to the public through a series of exhibitions at FACT in 2024 and 2025. Amartey Golding’s work, on display in Gallery 2 until 10 August 2025, marks the conclusion of this long-term programme. Discover more about Resolution →

You're invited to join us for an evening of short seminars and talks, where members of our team, alongside collaborators from the justice sector, will share insights and experiences from producing and commissioning these projects. Discussions will focus on access, cross-sector collaboration, approaches, and support systems.

Speaker Biographies 

Dr. Emma Murray

Dr. Emma Murray is an Associate Professor of Criminal and Social Justice at the UKRI-funded Centre for Equities in Uniformed Public Services. In this role, she leads a creative strand of research within the Social Science Research Laboratory. Additionally, Emma, serves as a Co-Investigator on the UKRI FLF project titled "Imagining Possible Futures: Activating Lived Experience in Criminal Justice." Emma also holds the position of Criminologist in Residence at FACT (2014-2026) and acts as a research partner for the Probation Institute's work with veterans in the justice system.

Sarah Hartley

With 18 years of experience in prison education, Sarah has dedicated her career to unlocking the transformative power of the arts. As National Creative Strategies Manager at Novus, she is passionate about using the arts to enable change. Novus delivers education, training, employment, and support services for adults and young people in custody in England and Wales. Sarah supports our Novus teaching colleagues, making sure that our creative arts and enrichment programme; enhances learners; experiences in the classroom, provides a platform for re-engagement in formal education, supports well-being and self-development, and provides a voice to many without one. Additionally, as Chair of the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance (NCJAA), Sarah actively advocates for the role of the arts in rehabilitation, using creative strategies to promote positive change. She believes creativity opens doors to reflection, resilience, and transformation, providing individuals with opportunities to rethink their identities and futures. Through her work, she aims to ensure that the arts continue to inspire and empower learners, enabling lasting change in their lives.

David McAlley

Dave is a Prison Officer at HMP Altcourse Prison.