PRESS RELEASE
November 4th, 2009

Arts project is wrong approach

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has criticised an arts project that is using taxpayers' money to go into prisons.

Run by the Scottish Arts Council and funded by the Scottish Arts Council, the scheme will teach prisoners about drama, music and even grafitti.

The project will be run at HMP Greenock aswell.

The local MSP believes the prisoners would eb better off facing up to their victims rather than taking part in arts projects.

Duncan McNeil, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, said: “I am not convinced victims of crime will see this as the best method to get offenders back on track or the best use of taxpayers’ money.
“Convicted prisoners would be better served facing up to their victims and the consequences of their actions rather than taking drama lessons

“We only have to look at the strong reaction knife campaigner John Muir received during his recent visit to Greenock prison for evidence of the impact it can have.

“I think these types of classes would work better as an preventative tool for people before they end up in prison.”

ENDS