• Art classes help prisoners reintegrate into the community
• Prisoners show increased motivation and other benefits from art classes
• They are just one of many rehabilitation programmes available
The Town Library is currently hosting an exhibition of artworks by Prisoners from HMP La Moye.
The exhibition, which runs until April, provides prisoners with an opportunity to showcase their work and includes a mixture of paintings and drawings.
The prisoners are offered art classes as part of an education programme which helps prepare them for their release and successful re-integration into the community.
Research shows art classes help increase prisoners’ motivation, social skills and resilience. They provide a coping mechanism and an opportunity for positive self-expression, and offer skills and knowledge that can help an individual change.
Art teachers Jo Alm and Lucy Blackmore worked with the prisoners on the exhibition.
Lucy Blackmore, who has worked with the States of Jersey Prison Service for nearly 15 years, said:
“The enthusiasm and talent amongst our prisoners is considerable and continues to grow every year. The chance to showcase their work is a way of motivating and engaging prisoners in creative activity.
“This raises individual self-esteem and opens minds to engage in other educational opportunities, and behaviour management programmes, all geared towards helping prisoners to make life improving decisions. Combining this as part of a prisoners’ rehabilitation programme can act as gateway to further learning through building confidence and self-esteem and contributes to reducing reoffending.”
The prison provides a range of interventions to support prisoners with rehabilitation, ranging from work, academic and vocational skills to offence specific programmes.
Government of Jersey News Release