News Story

Art made by former soldiers in prison is to feature in a new exhibition showing a “poignant glimpse into military life”.

Veterans in Maghaberry and Magilligan prisons have hand-crafted clay army cap badges for the initiative.

The arts project, titled The Badge is Everything, has been created by 30 ex-soldiers serving time over the past two years.

The exhibition features 40 stylised soldiers, designed as a wooden A-frame structure, which serves as a support for a cap badge made from earthenware clay.

The cap badges are kiln-fired and finished with gold, bronze or silver glaze.

Each structure also features three words chosen by the ex-servicemen, reflecting aspects of their military experience.

Maghaberry Prison governor Tracy Megrath said the introduction of the veterans’ hub for prisoners from an armed forces background came about through one of Maghaberry’s senior prison officers, who was previously in the British Army.

“That officer, who worked with the safety and support team, identified an ever-increasing number of individuals in custody that were ex-armed forces and a group which felt particularly vulnerable, would isolate and were reluctant to engage in anything meaningful,” she said.

“He created a hub that would bring this group together and linking in with SSAFA the Armed Forces Charity now works collaboratively with them supporting their wellbeing while in custody.

“The Northern Ireland Prison Service works with many partners in its rehabilitation and resettlement of prisoners, and among them in recent years has been SSAFA.

“Together we provide essential support to this community in prison.”

Lucy Turner, Prison Art Foundation artist in residence at Maghaberry and Magilligan, said the exhibition “provides a poignant glimpse into military life, its impact, its realities”.

“As a single collective identity, it shifts the focus away from the individuals and toward a shared experience and reinforces the spirit of teamwork,” she said.

The project is funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, and delivered by the Northern Ireland Prison Service in partnership with Start360, RDV Service and the Prison Arts Foundation.