F.12.Res.02 Prisoner art policy guide

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The intention of the policy is to provide clarity for the management, sale, donation and exhibition of prisoner art work. The policy will provide prisoners with increased opportunities to learn new skills and assist with rehabilitation. It is not intended that prisoners will benefit financially from the sale, donation or exhibition of art work.

Role of the prison director

  1. The prison director may authorise a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), including Charitable Organisations, to exhibit or sell prisoner art work.
  2. The prison director may authorise a prisoner’s art work to be donated to or exhibited by an authorised organisation.
  3. Not all prisoners are able to donate or display their artwork. The prison director must assess the benefits and potential consequences of a prisoner selling, displaying and/or exhibiting artwork. The final decision as to whether a prisoner can sell, display or exhibit artwork lays solely with the prison director.
  4. The prison director will only allow art work that does not contain objectionable material to be displayed. The prison director will make the final decision as to whether a piece of art work contains objectionable material.

Gifting and exhibiting prisoner artwork

  1. If a prisoner decides to donate their artwork the piece may be sold by an authorised organisation. Corrections Services require a signed consent form to be completed before the donation can proceed. The prisoner will not receive any money but can be reimbursed for any material expenses should the work be commissioned. The proceeds of the sale will instead be retained by the authorised organisation for charitable purposes.
  2. If artwork is exhibited and a potential for sale of the work arises the prisoner must agree to the sale. Corrections Services require a signed consent form to be completed before any sale. The prisoner will not receive any money; it will be instead retained by the authorised organisation for charitable purposes.