Peter A. Chmiel                                                            27^th January, 2005

Prison in Rzeszów

35-959 Rzeszów

Poland

To:  Mr Geoff Moore

Project Co-ordinator

Dear Sir,

          I wish to thank you for acting as an intermediary for all those who have taken part in the preparation of two editions of “Open Doors”.  I have read both editions with attention and I have not omitted any of the articles, poems or jokes. I congratulate you on an excellent choice of materials, wonderful graphics and the presentation of differences and similarities of all people in penal institutions taking part in this project.

          After having read the works of the imprisoned, an interesting conclusion emerges - that irrespective of where a sentence is served -  nationality, sex or length of sentence – wishes and dreams are similar. Longing for friends and shock caused by looking at the world from behind iron bars, releases in the imprisoned a wish to become better, to expiate their guilt against society and become a valuable part of it after leaving the penal institution.

          I think that the MABEL project, in the scope of which “Open Doors” is edited, presents the wish of the imprisoned to return to society and is of great importance in the resocialisation process.

          I wish you further success with the programme.

          I am also sending best wishes for the year 2005, and for prosperity in your private and professional life.

Sincerely yours,

Peter A. Chmiel

Arkadiusz Pszczolowski                                     Rzeszow, 12th December, 2004

Prison in Rzeszów

Poland

Dear Mr Turley,

          My name is Arkadiusz Pszczołowski (I’m 36 years old) and I am writing this letter from the prison in Poland.  I participate in the MABEL project which you created.  I wanted to take part in this project from the very beginning.  Nobody has ever created such an interesting project for prisoners like yours.

Personally I write poems and do pencil drawings.   My poems have been published in the prison’s newspaper.  Because of you I know now that my works will also be known behind bars all over Europe. Because of MABEL I felt really good.   I suppose that all participants have similar feelings.   I think it is difficult for them to be in prison.  MABEL is like a window to the outside world and subconsciously it helps to survive in it.  It helps to change one’s way of thinking, to make one better, and prevent one coming into prison again.  I think that there is good is in each of us.  If you want, you can change and understand that you are needed by others (the family, society).

 Before I finish writing this letter, I would like to thank you once more for MABEL on behalf of myself and other prisoners from Poland.

          I send a lot of wishes and I wish all the best to the MABEL team.

Yours sincerely,

Arkadiusz Pszczolowski

Translated by Joanna Wisniewska