Artworks produced by Scottish prisoners have been given a public display at a leading arts venue.
More than 100 works created by the prison art group at HMP Greenock in Inverclyde is on display at the town’s Beacon Arts Centre.
The exhibition, called Inhibition, explores issues around self-control and willpower and the title was chosen by the prison artists.
Works by 30 people are on display and include acrylic paintings and mixed media drawings.
“These extraordinary pieces also shine a light on life inside prison, offering an important perspective and understanding”
“If we use the technology right and in an efficient way, then you will see justice earlier and be reassured that perpetrators will feel the full weight of the justice system”
Greenock Prison worked with Fife College art tutors over the course of a year with classes aimed at helping people serving sentences to develop their critical thinking and communication skills, as well as boosting collaboration and conversation.
Earlier this year, artworks created in Scottish prisons won 244 awards at the national Koestler Awards.
The work is on display at the Beacon’s visual arts space until January.
Fraser Taylor, guest curator at Beacon said: “The Beacon’s mission is to make a lasting impact and to light up lives by giving as many people as possible the chance to engage with the arts.
“We are proud to bring these thought provoking and sometimes challenging works by Greenock Prison’s art group to a wider audience. The arts have the power to boost self-belief, confidence and self-expression – and these extraordinary pieces also shine a light on life inside prison, offering an important perspective and understanding.
“We are proud of the Beacon’s diverse and inclusive visual arts exhibition programme which engages with local and national communities. There is a focus on exhibiting artists of all levels of experience who create work that is vibrant and relevant and prompts questions allowing us to view the world differently.”