Unboxing Women: before you judge me, is a celebration of courage, creativity and the power of storytelling. Women in custody at Hydebank Wood in Northern Ireland share powerful stories of trauma, resilience and personal growth through this creative writing and audio installation project.The project enabled women to explore the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that shaped their lives through expressive writing and trauma-informed practice. Their anonymised stories, alongside contributions from female prison staff, were brought together in a unique audiovisual installation designed to build understanding, challenge stigma and support rehabilitation.

esc films worked in partnership with the Northern Ireland Prison Service which support programmes that address the underlying causes of offending and help those in its care develop the skills, confidence and resilience needed to build positive futures. This project is an example of our focus on using storytelling to promote social inclusion and transform lives, empowering those facing disadvantage to create positive and lasting change in their lives. Based on over two decades of working within criminal justice and mental health, this new women’s programme is a powerful testimony to what is possible when agencies work in partnership to support the people in their care.

DISCOVER MORE: Radio Ulster Sunday Sequence interview – This week we go inside Hydebank Women’s prison as part of an innovative storytelling project that seeks to lower reoffending rates. But it also raises bigger questions about the nature of prisons and whether society is failing the women who end up inside. Audrey talks to Beverley Wall, Director General of the NI Prison Service and Tom Magill from ESC films who are delivering the project.

This project, supported by the Arts Council of NI, The Baring Foundation, the NI Prison Service, The Department of Justice and US philanthropist, Eileen Ryan, premiered in Belfast on the 29th October 2026, opened by the Director General of the NI Prison Service, Beverley Wall. You can watch the catch up livestream HERE.

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If you’d like to commission a project with esc films or would simply like to know more about our work, please get in touch with us. We’re always very happy to discuss new projects.