Mazlow- Hierarchy of Needs

Mazlow’s Hierarchy of needs is a psychology theory based on what a human needs. Needs at the top of this pyramid cannot be achieved without the basic  needs seen at the bottom of the pyramid.

Basic needs–

Physiological needs;

food, water, warmth and rest.

Safety needs;

security, safety.

Psychological needs-

Belongingness and love needs;

intimate relationships, friends.

Esteem needs;

prestige and feeling of accomplishment

Self fulfilment needs-

Self actualisation;

achieving one’s full potential including creative activities.

So, how can I expect anyone to engage fully in a creative process in prison without their basic needs being met? Our lecturer Jess Thorpe told us she always provides biscuits and tea or coffee at any workshops she leads. This is important to me as an artist and human as prisoners deserve to have their basic needs met just as much an any other group of humans I work with do. The priority is about safety in any process with humans, so how do I make people feel safe and that their needs are being met in a space with me? How are we as artists considering all of these basic needs? Arguably there is little space to reform if basic needs are not being met.

In 2014, the Scottish Prison Service released information that states Adult prisoners get £2.47 per day for three meals and young adults £2.75 per day for three meals. ( https://www.sps.gov.uk/FreedomofInformation/FOI292014.aspx ) . A

According to food foundation research in 2018  on how to budget a healthy diet, the average price a week for the UK to have a balanced diet is £5.99 per adult per day. (https://foodfoundation.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Affordability-of-the-Eatwell-Guide_Final_Web-Version.pdf )

So how do these prices add up? They don’t. Prisons punishment is to take away your liberty. So how come prisoners are now also having food rights taken away? How can we expect prisoners to rehabilitate when basic needs from Mazlows Hierarchy of needs are not being met?