A new exhibition showcasing artwork from prisoners at HMP Hull will launch this month.
Lessons Learnt Behind Bars will offer a rare view into the artistic talents of prisoners, demonstrating how staff are increasing the education and work prospects of offenders – with the aim of reducing re-offending in the region.
The exhibition will open at the Streetlife Museum in Hull on Monday 30 September.
The visual and audio works from prisoners will show how education and vocational training can help increase prisoners’ chances of finding employment upon release.
A picture painted for the Lessons Learnt Behind Bars exhibition.
This supports rehabilitation, helps maintain family ties and allows prisoners to lead a crime-free life upon release, said HMP Hull Governor Tony Oliver.
“I’m delighted that we are involved with this exhibition,” he said. “Even more so as it is being held in such a prestigious city centre venue that is accessible to all.
“Showcasing the creative skills of our men is incredibly important on many levels – to improve self-esteem, to put something back into the local community and to improve employability opportunities, which will hopefully increase someone’s life chances and reduce their likelihood of committing further crimes in the future.”
The Lessons Learnt Behind Bars exhibition will open at the Streetlife Museum on Monday 30 September.
Visitors will see work including the Gypsy Moth plane hanging St Stephen’s shopping centre, which was made to celebrate Hull’s award of UK City of Culture 2017 status.
The life-size metalwork soldier made for Hull 4 Heroes and hand-painted murals created for charities that work with the prison will also be on show, along with free-standing sculptures, woodwork projects and photos of the prison’s award-winning wild gardens.
Visitors can hear first-hand from prison staff about how they have trained prisoners.
Find more information here.
