Helping the lives of offenders through creative expression, self reflection and spiritual formation.

What We Do.

  • Creative Expression

    Our poetry workshops equip the participants with a life long tool for self expression, building confidence, articulation and a belief in their own voice.

  • Spiritual Formation

    Using the Psalms, we journey through the practices of lamentation, confession and awe, developing a tool for Spiritual growth, rooted in the way of Jesus.

  • Self Reflection

    Poetry is a relief valve for our human experience. Equipping offenders with the daily practice of writing, we help further their emotional and mental well being.

Why we do it.

Research highlights the profound benefits of creativity in prison settings. Studies show that participation in creative programs, such as poetry workshops, significantly improves inmates' mental health, fosters social skills, and offers them an outlet for self-reflection.

The Impact.

    • Reduced Recidivism: Studies show that inmates involved in creative programs, including art and poetry workshops, are up to 30% less likely to reoffend after release​ (UAL).

    • Creative programs significantly improve mental health, with one UK study finding that 85% of participants reported enhanced well-being and emotional resilience​ (UAL).

      • Boosts Mental Health: Studies show that expressive writing reduces stress, anxiety, and depression by helping individuals process difficult emotions (Pennebaker, 2013).

      • Improves Cognitive Function: Regular writing enhances brain connectivity, improving memory and problem-solving skills (Kellogg, 2008).

      • Increases Emotional Intelligence: Writing about emotions fosters self-awareness and empathy, leading to better emotional regulation (Burton & King, 2004).

      • Enhances Creativity: Writing stimulates divergent thinking, helping you generate more creative solutions (Flaherty, 2005).

      • Strengthens Communication Skills: Frequent writing helps articulate complex ideas more clearly and persuasively (Graham & Perin, 2007).

    • Creative engagement fosters social skills, with over 70% of inmates noting better communication and empathy after participating in such programs​ (UAL).

Joshua is an utterly inspirational guy with an incredible heart and passion to bring hope, truth and light into the darkest of places and spaces. He manages groups of difficult prisoners and within a matter of minutes engages them at another level. He draws out their stories, helps them re write their narratives, bringing about redemptive messages and encouraging them to reach out and use the hurt, pain and disappointments of the past for the greater good. He has a mesmerising way of working – using his empathetic ability to attune to individuals alongside his honed intuition. It’s incredible to see.

Alecia Johnstone | Managing Chaplain | HMP Lancaster Farms

“Our vision is that by providing a space for creative expression, reflection and spiritual formation, we would play a part in decreasing reoffending rates as inmates leave prison. We truly believe that a creative practice is vital for the wellbeing of a person. We believe in the power of poetry. We believe in the power of words to shape our worlds.

Our lived experiences need a point of expression, a form of release that leads us to a redemptive rather than destructive end.”

Joshua Luke Smith | Founder

The Psalmists was founded by pastor, poet and published author Joshua Luke Smith.

Joshua has over 15 years of experience as a writer and performer, travelling around the world with the mandate to “Speak into the Chaos”.

Early in his career Smith began performing in prisons and saw first hand the power that poetry had in impacting the lives of those inside.

The Psalmists seeks to equip offenders with the life changing practice of Poetry for themselves, bettering their lives and the lives of those around them.

Joshua has been featured in Complex Magazine, BBC 1XTRA, BBC 6 Music, Premier Radio, UCB Radio, Wordplay and many other media outlets. He has given a TED X Talk, tours extensively and has served as a Pastor for over ten years.

  • Each workshop provides a space for the participants to learn about poetry as a tool for creative expression. These sessions are interactive and engaging.

    We spend time focusing on the importance of discovering our creative voice, owning our stories and discovering a way to express our experiences and emotions.

  • We are a not for profit. Our charitable status is pending, we are awaiting the approval of our application which we hope to have by the end of 2022.

  • The workshops are free, they are funded by The Psalmists, a not for profit organisation.

  • Simply fill out the booking form on our contact page.

  • I have SSCL clearance for all B and C category prisons across England, Scotland and Wales.

  • The Psalms are an inspired and timeless collection of ancient Hebrew poetry.

    Across the 150 poems that make up the Psalter, no stone of the human experience is left unturned. From the depths of despair to the highest point of elation, the voice of the Psalmist rings out, in sorrow and in praise.

    Our work is deeply rooted in the tradition of the psalms, creating spaces for lamentation, confession and awe.

We’ve flown free from their fangs, free of their traps, free as a bird.
Their grip is broken;
we’re free as a bird in flight.

PSALM 124:7