To My Younger Self is a short creative documentary about solitary confinement in Young Offender Institutions.

The film cuts back and forth between past and present timelines, tracking the parallel experiences of one young man dealing with the trauma of his time spent ‘on the block’ as a young teenager. The film is underscored by a powerful spoken testimony from the young man who spent so much time in solitary, that speaks of the intense trauma and mental and emotional abuse that was caused by being banged up and put on the block. Ultimately, however, the film is about the sense of hope and belonging that so many children are robbed of by an oppressive society, and the importance of creating a nurturing and loving environment for our youngers to grow into.

Solitary confinement, or the segregation, of children in UK Young Offenders Institutions, has been highlighted in many instances in recent media and, despite the practice being illegal for under-21s, a report from the Chief Inspector of Prisons found over 57 instances of "separation from association" of child prisoners in the last year that "amounted to solitary confinement." All of these children spent over 22 hours a day in their cells, and many as young as 14 were denied basic dignities such as a phone call or a shower. Various reports in recent decades have highlighted the profound and permanent impact of solitary confinement on individuals' mental and physical wellbeing, particularly for children who are still developing socially and neurologically.

To My Younger Self is a visceral, first-hand retelling of the experience of youth incarceration, that offers a window into an often-unseen issue, that will hopefully provoke discussion around solitary confinement, the prison system and youth institutions.