Prisoners at Stocken jail have been getting creative by making art
it's to help with their rehabilitation
Last updated 7th Jun 2021
Prisoners at Stocken jail have been picking up their paint brushes to try and improve their art skills.
It's after they received funding for 1,000 special packs full of materials.
The idea is to support their wellbeing and rehabilitation by getting them involved in creating pictures.
It's gone so well the work produced during the pandemic is to be sold off to raise funds for the mental health charity Young Minds.
HMP Stocken Governor, Neil Thomas OBE, said:
“Art has the power to inspire change and reflection and I believe this project will help many people both in and out of custody.
“The benefits of the ‘Hope Project’ have proved to be threefold – not only has it enabled prisoners to enhance their mental health and raised money for a charity, it has also supported a local business in vital need of an economic injection"
Meanwhile Prisons Minister, Alex Chalk MP, said:
“While the restrictions in prisons have saved thousands of lives, we understand this has been a challenging time for prisoners.
“Innovative projects like the one here at HMP Stocken has helped prisoners focus on making a positive contribution to both their local community and society – work which ultimately reduces reoffending.”