At HMP Downview, a women's prison in Sutton, Suzanne is steaming the darts on a skirt. She's been working in the prison's fashion workshop since September.
At HMP Downview, a women's prison in Sutton, inmate Suzanne is steaming the darts on a skirt. She's been employed in the prison's fashion workshop since September. She says every day is different.
"We could be repairing garments that have got damaged for either the officers or prisoners themselves, or we could be in the middle of a production."
The women here recently filled an order of 4,000 hessian tote bags made of coffee bean sacks. Dotted around the room are sample dresses, skirts, rolls of material and on one wall, a proud row of certificates showing off the qualifications they've earned.
They're being taught by Winston Rose, a former London College of Fashion professor.
"It's all about trying to give the women tools that they can use outside," says Winston.
"We try to promote good working practices, professionalism, punctuality, everything that you need for society when you're going back out to work.
"These women have been sentenced, judged and juried. There's got to be a time when you stop that and allow them to actually start contributing to society.
"I just think it's the godly thing to do."
