Not only are prisoners allowed to draw in prison. It is one of the few activities that are encouraged by the authorities.
This has basically to do with the inmates’ way of passing time and dealing with one of the biggest challenges that prison brings: loneliness and inability to stay in touch with the outside world.
Therefore, many correctional facilities approve that you can draw in prison. They also provide art supplies and collection of materials to aid them in doing so.
Do Prison Offers Art Programs To Inmates?
Although this luxury is not common to all, some facilities do offer excellent art programs as a way of proper rehabilitation of the prisoners.
Keeping in check certain restrictions that are applicable to what type of art supplies can be provided to inmates, the correctional facilities provide classes on drawing with pencil, pens, oil paints, paper craft, ceramics, model clays, using canvas, origami art and mosaics.
In fact, the talented and well-behaved inmates are allowed to learn these skills. They can then sell their work to others who are willing to buy. Moreover, they can choose to send their items to friends and families as well.
However, the extent of facilities provided vary from one place to another. There are only a few prisons that have proper studios where individuals can learn and exhibit their art talent the way they want.
What Art Supplies and Material Can You Buy In Prison?
This is a tricky question since there is a lot of gray area when it comes to the type of art supplies that prisoners are allowed to have access to. It depends on the degree of their crime, their behaviour within the facility as well as state laws that are applicable to the jail they are in.
As a general rule of thumb, prison authorities strictly prohibit the occupation of anything sharp such as blade or poisonous, for example, toxic paints in the center. Inmates can buy pencils, pens, canvas, sketch books, etc when they arrive or at other times when they choose to draw something.
Why Are Activities Like Drawing Encouraged For Inmates?
A good look around prison or jail would reveal that inmates often distract themselves with activities like drawing or reading. Spending time on art is particularly popular in correctional facilities and there are many reasons behind this.
1. First of all, it may work as a source of earning some extra money. The skilled people can sell their art to others who are willing to buy.
2. Other than that, some inmates think of it as a way to “escape” reality” for a short period of time.
3. Drawing is linked to relieving stress. This is something that many prisoners struggle to do as they are spending time away from their families and friends.
4. Psychologically, art can reduce past traumas and encourage the growth of positive feelings to make life more bearable for some.
On the other hand, the facilities may encourage inmates to invest time in drawing. It is an “affordable” activity and the centers can easily provide reasonably-priced kits for individuals to buy.
Limitations For Drawing In Prison
Regardless of activities that a prison allows for the sake of the inmate’s relaxation, there are certain limitations. The facilities need to impose these so that order and peace is not disturbed at any cost.
Consequently, most of the prison or jails have put in place restrictions concerned with code of drawing as well as the purchase of art supplies.
Art supplies are under strict scrutiny at all times. Inmates are not allowed access to blades, objects with sharp edges, or toxic paints, etc. This is not just to curb the fear of riot or violence within the facility but also to ensure that nobody ends up doing any self-harm.
As for the art-work or restrictions on drawing, this may vary from one person to another. Some prisoners are given the flexibility by doctors to draw as they please. There are other inmates who are handed over assignments by correctional facilities to draw in a certain manner that is prohibited to others. Drawing restrictions include laws against exhibiting violence through art work, unethical drawings or illustrations that endanger other inmates.