Prison talent: Winners of the Corrections 2007 Christmas card competition.
Each year all prisoners, particularly those participating in art programmes, are invited to submit a drawing or painting that represents a New Zealand Christmas.
This year, Chief Executive Barry Matthews chose four winning entries (see above and page three). The winners are now being printed at the Wellington Prison Print Shop and will soon be available as the Department’s official 2007 Christmas cards.
One winner, Daniel*, was delighted his entry won over some stiff competition.
“I am amazed, especially with the competition from other prisoners who I think are really good artists,” he says.
Daniel was interested in art when he was young, but things changed when he was in his teens.
“I got into drugs and lost interest, and did not do anything for 24 years until this sentence. In the six months I have been in prison I got back into drawing and really enjoy it now,” he says.
The four winners each receive $100 for their trust account. In addition, their prison receives $200 to purchase art supplies to further encourage artistic talent in prison.
Wellington Regional Prisons Programmes Manager Mary Stenton says there are many benefits to running art programmes in prisons, and that some prisoners are so successful they are able to take up art professionally or semi-professionally on their release, selling their work as a source of income.
“Even for those who don’t end up being the next Picasso, art provides an interesting and absorbing hobby, with the opportunity to express emotions in a socially acceptable way.
“The discipline required to produce a good piece helps to develop self-control and self-critical thinking, which in turn helps in changing attitudes and habits, the first steps towards changing a lifestyle.”
Mary says prisoners often give their artworks to family members, or donate them to community groups or charity art auctions as a way of giving something back.
* not his real name.
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ISSN 1178-8453