Dean Gardiner: MBE FCIPD | Governor HMP/YOI Rochester

The effect of the band Hardwicke Circus on HMP Rochester is wonderful to witness. The men come in apprehensive but hopeful…they leave exhilarated and inspired!

John and the boys deliver exceptional rock and blues – all pitch perfect, clear and given with great enthusiasm,  skill and talent. (This can only come from constant improvement and serious rehearsing). Afterwards the band talks so openly, normally and helpfully to their audience, answering  all their questions about music and their life. This is an inclusive, positive and unique contribution to the morale and vision of the men.

Hardwicke Circus care as much or more about their prison audience as they did about their audience at Glastonbury!

Tony Corcoran: Governor, HMP Haverigg

I am more than happy to lend my support for this amazing band. All the reaction I and other senior members of the team received from the residents was positive. Their pro-social performance (including allowing audience participation!) made for a very special occasion.

Maybe you should also consider holding a master class either before or after the concert. I know it would be appreciated by the residents.

If it hadn’t been for the financial restrictions on the establishment I would have certainly re-booked the act.

Governor Ian Whittle: Head of Reducing Reoffending, HMP Standford Hill

Harwicke Circus have performed to prisoners at HMP / YOI Standford Hill on several occasions over the last few years.  Our men have always been very supportive and enthusiastic of the opportunity to attend the performances, with an average of 100 men attending each session.   Men find the band inspirational and a very favourable diversion from the usual day to day opportunities available to them.  The band themselves are very amenable to talk with residents following performances and to give men a more normalised evening.

Hardwicke Circus have been very keen to engage with the residents taking part in our in house music course, discussing the practicalities of working and being involved in the music industry.  The band are keen to encourage the men through an educational forum to pursue their passions.

I would fully recommend to any prison to engage with Hardwick. Their enthusiasm, knowledge and positivity is bright light for all who interact with them.

Debbie Leach: Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service
Regional Strategic Lead for Learning, Skills & Employment for Kent, Sussex and Surrey Prisons

Hardwicke Circus have performed at Rochester Prison on at least three occasions. All events were very attended by the residents and staff. The events were held in the chapel so there was adequate space for an audience.

The initial intent of the performance was to provide some light entertainment however it was soon identified that the performance highlighted interest in a wider scale. This resulted in both performances having  a Q&A session afterwards  with the band, discussing how they formed the band and their journey in the music industry . This led to discussions on strategies for overcoming boredom; how music can be used to inspire and keep the residents focused; how to keep motivated and to believe in your end goal, general interest in the music industry and how someone get can get started.

It was very clear after both performances that the whole prison was ‘lifted’ with morale and this escalated onto the wings with positive behaviour.

There is  a clear rise in  mental health and safer custody issues in the prison estate during the  covid pandemic so I would fully support the funding application  to plan a Hardwicke tour with the emphasis on wellbeing for the residents.

Kent Surrey and Sussex prison group has  10 prisons including three women’s prisons that I lead on regarding learning skills and education  and I would welcome this opportunity  to offer this provision .

Phil Branigan: Ex-inmate at Rochester Prison

I hope you and the band are doing well, it was an absolute pleasure seeing your guys Hardwicke Circus perform whilst I was serving my sentence at HMP Rochester, and again at HMP Stanford Hill.

It was a great experience to see live music within the prison system, it bought many discussions to the wings and the whole place was buzzing with excitement.

To be able to see a real live performance as a prisoner inside the walls of a jail certainly lifted my spirits and that of many others. The band are a real friendly bunch and gave a great performance.

As you know I work in the events industry as a sound and lighting tech and love my job, it was a real chance to get connected with live music again and made me look forward to my release where I could get back to doing what I love. I know that some people have the view that prisoners are in jail to repay a debt to society for their crimes, and should suffer whilst they are there, however the fact that so much is taken away from you as a prisoner is surely punishment enough.

In my opinion music is a very powerful tool and helps us all in life with every day thoughts and feelings, personally I think it also plays a huge part in rehabilitation to have this opportunity to see the performance was an amazing experience.

I would like to thank you all and offer my services and help out in any way possible should you ever need it. I hope that you can continue the great work and keep doing these gigs within the prison system and bring a bit of normality to everyone that finds themselves in the same situation I was not too long ago.

Wishing you all the best and a massive thank you.

Phil Branigan – (previously A0***DN)

Wayne Hodges: HM Prison and Probation Service

I’m writing to highlight the great work you and Hardwicke Circus have delivered in HMP Rochester over the past 5 years.

Any new delivery in prison is always difficult and I was unsure how the residents would react to the presentation you and the band delivered. But it was an absolute success with lots of positive feedback from both residents and staff saying how informative it was to discuss the music industry with a real professional band and promoter with such experience as yourself.

This type of delivery is very difficult as it covers a wealth of ages and social backgrounds. You and the band managed this expertly engaging with all and ensuring the real message of hope and opportunity for the future was delivered at every junction.

It would be great to explore expanding this delivery across a number of sites when able to do so although we understand this is currently very costly.

The music wasn’t too bad either.