Delivering Better Outcomes for People in Custody Through Reform, Rehabilitation and Facilities
24 - 25 March 2026 | Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, Australia
Sara Kirby
Creative Learning Officer Tasmania Prison Service
Main Conference Day One: Tuesday, 24th March 2026
2:30 PM Restoring Voices: Arts, Narrative, and Community in Carceral Arts
At Risdon Prison, creative learning initiatives integrate visual arts, narrative therapy, and collaborative projects to normalise prosocial interactions and foster dignity. Central to this approach is the Bars Behind Bars program, which brings local Tasmanian hip hop artists inside prison walls to co-create music with prisoners, bridging cultural divides and amplifying authentic voices. Equally transformative is Great Balls of Fibre, a men’s knitting group that teaches mindfulness and challenges toxic masculinity by reframing care and creativity as strengths. These encounters model healthy relationships, challenge stigma, and cultivate skills for reintegration. Through exhibitions like Artists with Conviction and community-engaged workshops, art becomes a medium for dialogue, empathy, and transformation.
Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Sara.
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