Offenders connect through art

Creative offenders from Serco’s Southern Queensland Correctional Centre have produced some extraordinary artwork currently on show at an exhibition at the University of Southern Queensland’s (USQ) ‘Arts Gallery’.

The ‘Making the Connection’ exhibition features an impressive variety of artwork in many different mediums and styles, realised by both indigenous and non-indigenous offenders. It has given participating students the opportunity to show off their artistic talents as well as the progress they have made in reaching their educational goals in partnership with the USQ.

The exhibition marks the launch of the next stage of a USQ project bringing higher education to people without access to the internet, including incarcerated students. SQCC’s partnership with the University has given participating offenders the opportunity to further their post-secondary education, therefore reducing the chance of reoffending and helping them give back to the community.

SQCC’s Head of Offender Education, Malcolm Wake, said the facility’s partnership with the USQ had been very successful so far, and had given some offenders the invaluable opportunity of furthering their education, affording them the best chance to succeed upon release.

‘The opportunity for offenders to exhibit their work has many benefits. It has given offenders something to work towards and focus on, affording them a sense of achievement and purpose. It will also show the community first-hand the advantage of providing those on the inside with the tools to improve themselves - which is a reduced reoffending rate and in turn, safer communities.’

The exhibition was officially launched on Friday, 7 February and will run until 7 March.