Art and Creative Activities

The Department for Correctional Services is transforming prisoner art activities into a comprehensive Creative Industries program.

The program is based on international and national best practices with a focus on prison industries, rehabilitation and reintegration.

The arts and creative activities have the power to change lives and can act as a catalyst for identity transformation, employment pathways, financial independence, and community partnerships which contribute to reduced reoffending and community safety.

Benefits

Creative industries has multiple benefits for prison management, prisoner well-being and positive engagement with the community.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the therapeutic, expressive and educational benefits of engaging prisoners in creative activities.

Experiences of success in creative activities such as art making can also stimulate interest in further self-development and educational opportunities.

Creative activities can also open up opportunities for social inclusion.

Art by Prisoners exhibition

The Artists on the Inside exhibition makes its 2023 return as part of the South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival.

Artists on the Inside will be on display at UniSA’s Kerry Packer Civic Gallery from 2-30 August 2023.

DCS is committed to delivering rehabilitation services that have a strong focus on reducing the likelihood of people in custody to reoffend.
South Australia has the lowest rate of recidivism in Australia and we are dedicated to reaching a target of reducing reoffending by 20% by the year 2026.

Within our suite of rehabilitation programs, we believe there is a place and role for the arts, as it provides an avenue to express and manage emotions, improves social connection and builds hope and vision for the future while incarcerated.

Through producing art, prisoners can build resilience, discover new skills and strengths, share humour and express gratitude. Art programs in prison have the potential to lower frustration levels, alleviate boredom and create connection.

Art creation in prison also provides a platform for building connection, meaning and community; whether between people in prison, or through the connection of people incarcerated with artists and community members regularly attending prison sites.

Prisoners get a sense of pride, and may find new identities and a sense of belonging when completing a piece of art. Creating art provides an opportunity for self-expression, creativity and communication in ways that are deeply personal and have proven therapeutic benefits. This, in turn, contributes to improving post-release outcomes.

We want to thank our prison staff, Strategic Policy, Projects and Partnerships team and Victim Services Unit in supporting this initiative and preparing for the exhibition.

The Artists on the Inside exhibition is presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre and DCS.

We encourage everyone to take the time and visit the exhibition featuring over 60 artworks by talented individuals from 9 prison locations

The Gallery is open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm in the Hawke Building Level 3, UniSA City West campus.

    Documents

  • Download: Artists on the inside Panel (4.5 MB PDF)