Makeright: Making Bags to Make Good

'Makeright' is a collection of anti-theft bags designed by inmates from HMP Thameside, London and produced by inmates from HMP Kilmarnock, near Glasgow. The collection takes its name from the Makeright Design Academy, a design education initiative led by the Design Against Crime Research Centre at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London.

Over 85 inmates in HMP Thameside, London, and 25 in Sabarmati Central Jail, Ahmedabad have gained valuable skills and qualifications while developing this range of anti-theft bags between 2015-2017, as part of ‘purposeful learning’ in prison. Over 30 UAL graduate and student volunteers have participated in this project and have mentored UK inmates.

HMP Thameside (2016):
The range of anti-theft bags designed by inmates through the Makeright course was launched with an exhibition at Serco’s HMP Thameside, London. This first exhibition showcased the journey of setting up the programme in prison and the design thinking and making that resulted in the range of bags. Inmates who took part in the course were present at the launch and spoke about their experiences to key guests invited to celebrate their efforts and success.

Windows Gallery (2017):
This exhibition showcased a range of anti-theft bags designed by inmates from HMP Thameside, London and Sabarmati Jail, Ahmedabad, India, as part of the 2017 London Design Festival. This research project was led by DACRC in partnership with the National Institute of Design (India), HMP Thameside and Sabarmati Jail. For the first time in the world it taught design thinking and design against crime techniques to prisoners who were involved in trying to solve crime problems, whilst learning new skills. Ultimately, the project aimed to help inmates build resilience for life as returning citizens through engagement with design and making skills that also helped some gain educational qualifications. A related partnership followed with Abel & Cole who supplied lorry tarpaulin so the anti-theft bags and accessories could be produced, and helped the team generate a digital retail sales platform, returning profits to charity.