I found this memoir to be a mixed bag. I was very interested in the prison project itself, the experiences surrounding it, and the inmates involved. The outside parts of the author's life could have taken up much less space; they tended to subtract from the impact of the book. We don't need to hear about her leaving for lunch and coming back each day. We don't need to hear so repeatedly about her sort-of-boyfriend.

Also, could cut the lectures on various other authors' writings on childhood development, trauma, etc. Let the events show us, it's all there already.

This is a memoir from Aimee who describes her experiences as a dance teacher in a Scottish prison. I found parts interesting I enjoyed hearing about the prisoners background and what led to their incarceration. I found parts quite slow and it wasn’t really for me.

This book gives an insight into the lives and backgrounds of Scottish young offenders as they take part in a dance programme facilitated by the author. It’s interesting and opens one’s mind to the challenges faced by these prisoners. There is a lot of information given about childhood trauma and what effects it has. Occasionally the writing came across as a bit preachy but it clearly wasn’t meant to come across that way so can be forgiven. All in all, an interesting and insightful book.

The Prison Project is an emotive memoir by dance teacher, Aimee, retelling her experiences working with detained boys.

She explores psychology, trauma links, gender stereotyping, male social expectations and emotional intelligence alongside fun anecdotes of her lessons inside a Scottish prison.

It takes a special kind of person to work in a prison, and Aimee is certainly one of those. She champions rehabilitation, is empathetic and understanding and most of all, non judgemental.

“I stopped seeing them as “prisoners” and started seeing them as people - flawed, funny, complex people”

She touches on her own family background and I absolutely adored her granny. I could see clearly where she got her caring nature from.

Aimee proves how believing and supporting someone can make a huge difference and she makes you pause for thought on numerous occasions. I truly believe her dance classes changed some of those boys for the better.

“I want to be someone who makes everyone feel like a someone” moved me to absolute tears.

Good luck with your new class! What lucky pupils to have you as a teacher. I have every belief you will change those wee children’s lives 🫶

This was an interesting and well written read. Giving an insight into what is involved in going into a Scottish young offenders prison for young men to teach dance,,, an activity that many would gender as, for girls, in a place where bullying and intimidation is a way of life.
Some of the boys are the author's age. Some of them have already been sentenced, and some awaiting sentencing. Aimee explains how she felt entering the prison and the process she had to endure to get there. About certain situations she found herself in and her quick thinking to get out of it.
The author explains how frustrated she felt about some of the processes and the level of help being given to these boys to rehabilitate and that this gave her the drive and ambition to be able to do more and to get to the source by retraining to become an early years educator. It makes you think twice about how important nurturing is in all people, but particularly in our younger years as it shapes our destiny.
I would recommend this book.
Thank you to #netgalley, #TheBookGuild and of course the author #AimeeFriel for this advanced copy of #ThePrisonProject
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