Arts in prison recognised

The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport recognised the value of arts in prisons in a speech announcing the winners of the Cultural Development Fund.

Speaking on the ‘Value of Culture’ Jeremy Wright MP spoke of his time as prisons minister and the change he saw when people in criminal justice settings engaged in creative activity.

He said: “I came across offenders who painted, sculpted and even sang opera as part of their rehabilitation. And in many cases it worked […] because those things provided an outlet, they offered a sometimes new experience of excelling at something, and for some, indicated a lawful way to make a living.”

Read the speech here