DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

A selection of works that feature in the year’s Revealed Exhibition come from artists who are also prisoners, undertaking tertiary courses in contemporary art, facilitated through the Department of Justice and other tertiary education providers.

Creative practices within the prison system offer many positive benefits, from purely educational and recreational benefits, to expressing their identities, hopes, dreams and concerns. Art making is an important mode of cultural and creative expression, but also has benefits in the rehabilitation of incarcerated artists.

Participation in the creative process offers prisoners more than simple education and recreation. The production of artworks can be an important component in their rehabilitation as it allows them space for creativity and personal development. This can help prisoners to reframe their identity in positive ways.

Through participation in art programs, from informal activities, units in Certificate II Visual Arts and Tertiary studies prisoners can gain skills and positively express themselves and their culture. This contributes to structured and productive days for offenders in custody, and enhances opportunities for employment, progress, and a law-abiding lifestyle on release. Art classes are often a gateway for prisoners who have low literacy levels or limited educational engagement. Many prisoners are initially drawn to the art room and from there progress to other more formal learning. Participation in arts activities is the greatest opportunity for cultural participation in a prison context. It provides a link with culture, family, and country, as well as positive opportunities to express emotions, a sense of autonomy, belonging and creativity.