§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what encouragement he is giving to the use of the creative arts within prisons; and if he will make a statement;
(2)what study he has made of the use in the United States of America of the creative arts within prisons; and if he will make a statement;
(3)what is his policy on the extension of the use of the creative arts within prisons; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JohnPrison education programmes include an appropriate emphasis on the creative arts, and prisoners are encouraged to use the facilities available. Further opportunities are provided by cell hobbies and prisoners are encouraged to enter their best work in the annual public Koestler exhibition in London, which 319W includes the visual arts, music and literature. Governors have discretion to exhibit prisoners' work in suitable local exhibitions.
The Home Office keeps generally in touch with penal developments in other countries.