Erlestoke Prison artwork on show at Devizes Arts Festival

The exhibition, organised by the Friends of Erlestoke Prison, will be held in Devizes from June 4 to 7 and will showcase paintings, textiles and creative writing produced by inmates at HMP Erlestoke.

The exhibition will be held at St Mary’s Church on New Park Street and will be open from 11am to 2pm each day.

Primrose Campbell DL, chairman of Friends of Erlestoke Prison, said: “We are delighted to bring the creativity and talent of the men at HMP Erlestoke to the heart of Devizes.

“We hope visitors will be moved and inspired by what they see.”

All pieces on display have been created through programmes supported by the charity, which believes in the rehabilitative power of the arts.

In addition to visual art and writing, visitors will be able to purchase handmade origami cards crafted by prisoners in the charity’s origami group.

The exhibition follows previous shows at Messums Gallery in Tisbury and the Young Gallery in Salisbury, both of which received strong public and critical praise.

An opening event will take place on June 4 from 6pm to 8pm and is open to both the public and the media.

The evening will include talks led by Ms Campbell, contributions from art teachers and prison staff, and readings from the ‘Rite to Write’ creative writing group.

The Friends of Erlestoke Prison works to support the rehabilitation of prisoners through creative projects and education.