Inmates have room to exhibit their work

Made in prison: Law and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsudin looks at a miniature bike in the new exhibition room at the Ministry’s Bandung office in West Java, on Friday. The room is designed to display inmates’ work, with all work being sold to the public. (JP/Arya Dipa)Law and Human Rights Minister Amir Syamsudin inaugurated an exhibition room to accommodate inmates’ artwork in Bandung, West Java on Friday.

The ministry’s Bandung office head, M. Nasir Almi, said that the exhibition room was part of a group of programs to educate inmates.

“This is also part of our effort to improve cooperation with the business sector and to improve the stereotype of inmates and former inmates,” he said.

The exhibition room, established in the eastern part of the ministry’s Bandung office, is able to accommodate up to 267 pieces.

The pieces that are being exhibited in the room come from 23 penitentiaries include photo frames, flower pots, paintings, wallets and rattan chairs.

The prices for the works range from Rp 5,000 (US$0.54) to Rp 1.7 million. (swd)