15 February 2023
The Town Library is currently hosting an exhibition of artworks by Prisoners from HMP La Moye.
The exhibition, which runs until April, provides prisoners with an opportunity to showcase their
work and includes a mixture of paintings and drawings.
The prisoners are offered art classes as part of an education programme which helps prepare
them for their release and successful re-integration into the community.
Research shows art classes help increase prisoners’ motivation, social skills and resilience. They
provide a coping mechanism and an opportunity for positive self-expression, and offer skills and
knowledge that can help an individual change.
Art teachers Jo Alm and Lucy Blackmore worked with the prisoners on the exhibition.
Lucy Blackmore, who has worked with the States of Jersey Prison Service for nearly 15 years, said:
“The enthusiasm and talent amongst our prisoners is considerable and continues to grow every
year. The chance to showcase their work is a way of motivating and engaging prisoners in creative
activity.
“This raises individual self-esteem and opens minds to engage in other educational opportunities,
and behaviour management programmes, all geared towards helping prisoners to make life
improving decisions. Combining this as part of a prisoners’ rehabilitation programme can act as
gateway to further learning through building confidence and self-esteem and contributes to
reducing reoffending.”
The prison provides a range of interventions to support prisoners with rehabilitation, ranging from
work, academic and vocational skills to offence specific programmes.
Notes to Editors:
- For further information, please contact the press office on +44 (0) 1534 440430 or pressoffice@gov.je
- The prisoners’ artworks will also be shown at in an exhibition at The Harbour Gallery in April