Perfume Sparks New Paths for Prisoners

Quick Smiles:

• Scents in prisons inspire hope, creativity, and learning
• Unique workshops help inmates reconnect with positive memories
• Perfume Stories project spreads to new prisons and opportunities

In northern England, fragrances are helping men in prison revisit cherished memories and discover new possibilities. The Perfume Stories project, led by illustrator Michael O’Shaughnessy, uses a special collection of scents to encourage self-reflection and creativity among participants.

“They smell a perfume, and I ask what it reminds them of. It can stop them in their tracks. Sometimes it’s like a light going on.”

Combining classic French fragrances with custom blends, O’Shaughnessy’s workshops offer more than just a trip down memory lane—they provide a gateway to learning and self-discovery through story, scent, and shared experiences. Many men write down their memories and gain enough confidence to join other academic programs.

“Some scents take them outside, away from the internal walls of their confined spaces to another world,” he explains. “In nearly all cases, to a better place. A place and a time when they were happy.”

Participants frequently recall joyful moments—family, traditions, and childhood treats. Their reflections become a bridge to better versions of themselves and to new opportunities within prison and beyond.

Despite challenges in the prison setting, O’Shaughnessy has expanded the project with support from staff and community partners. His initiative now inspires skills training in areas like cookery and business, and he believes it can thrive in other settings such as Alzheimer’s care and recovery programs.

Each workshop is a small reminder that hope and growth can flourish in unexpected places, with just a simple scent sparking real change.

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