To: the Governor
Top Security Prison "Østjylland"
Horsens
Denmark

22nd June 2009

Dear sir,

Firstly I would like to thank you on behalf of the delegates to the 3rd PAN European Prison Arts Network in Skanderborg for allowing us to visit your prison on Thursday 4th June. We were all impressed by its modern architecture, clean appearance and natural environment, very different from many prisons we have visited elsewhere in Europe.

However, we were rather disturbed at the lack of any personal dimension apparent during our stay. For our Network, which includes representatives from over 20 European countries, prison is not only about security, although clearly an important element, but also about the possibility of prisoners having the opportunity to rehabilitate themselves. Education, in particular art education, offers the possibility for offenders to break out of the vicious circle which led them to crime in the first place and which, if not broken, will lead them to re-offend and return to jail. We believe that the prison experience should include a strong humanising element, so that prisoners begin to regard themselves as able to play a more positive role when they return to the outside world, including in an environment which encourages this.

Unfortunately we saw no signs of this in "Østjylland". Although the foyer area included art work, it apparently had been bought in from outside. In our experience featuring art-work by prisoners, as happens in many prisons, has a positive impact on both the ‘artists' and the recipients, including the prison staff. I gather that you attended our PAN exhibition at the Old Horsens Prison and will have seen for yourself the positive outcomes that can be achieved through prison art.

During our visit to "Østjylland" we were also told that there were no art classes on offer: this is a shame as we have found that involving inmates in painting, drama, music, writing and other creative activities not only improves their well-being but makes them more receptive to pursuing other educational and vocational opportunities - essential if they are to adapt to the pressures of the world outside.

We appreciate the need for tight security whilst offenders are serving their sentences. We are however concerned that opportunities for them to find alternatives to their former way of life need to be provided, and the arts are a proven, effective and relatively inexpensive way of supporting this. We hope that you will take these comments on board in the spirit in which they are offered: the hope that the experiences of offenders in "Østjylland" prison will lead to a more positive contribution to society on their return to the outside world.

Yours sincerely
Dr. Alan Clarke