A Victorian rehabilitation program is hoping to expand to other states following its seventh successful exhibition of works created by First Nation’s inmates.
“The Torch” program seeks to make a positive change in the reoffending rate of Indigenous prisoners and for the first time has been able to sell artworks with a portion of the sales going directly to artists.
The majority of funds will be held in a trust until prisoners are released, with any interest earned going to victims’ support groups.
Barkindji man and CEO of ‘The Torch’ Kent Morris says an evaluation of the 18-month pilot program showed a 53 per cent decrease in reoffending by men and women.
Image: www.thetorch.org.au
