What I hope this timely and fascinating book does is to take the reader beyond the lurid interest in art by society's outcasts, to discovering the hugely positive role art plays in prison life — Grayson Perry.
This is a book on the artwork produced by 'insiders' i.e. prisoners and ex-inmates of Her Majesty's Prison Service. The book is laid out as an art catalogue. It starts with an essay on the whole principle of teaching art in prisons, and about how it can help with rehabilitation. It profiles (in words and images) many of the prisoners or ex-inmates in depth, talking about the difference art has made to their lives. This is followed by a gallery of artwork done by prisoners from all over the UK. This fascinating book looks at how prisoners react to or deal with difficult issues and their situation through art, offering a glimpse into their world, often with anecdotes and personal stories alongside the artworks.
