Established in 2008, the School of Fine Arts and Music is so much more than an ordinary institution. Its programs for the prisoners have changed the lives of over 6,200 inmates.
Currently, there are 700 prisoners who are learning various skills including; painting, music, jewelry making, language training, and even embroidery as reported by Arab News Pakistan.
Rahim Bugti, a death row prison inmate, has shared how much of a difference the art classes have made for him. He says he’s been learning new skills and keeping busy, and that he would be in a much different mental state if he didn’t have the classes to keep himself occupied.
Bugti was given the death sentence in 2007 for his involvement in militant attacks on armed forces in Balochistan.
The programme has been praised by the prison warden and jail management for improving their quality of life and prepping them with skills and knowledge for life after release.
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Most of the instructors of the fine arts program are also inmates who have attended classes at the school since its inception. Classes are held in two shifts where material is provided by the jail authorities.
The school aims to lessen hostility amongst prisoners through its programmes. It also allows inmates to develop relationships with their families and send them money. Many would have been the sole breadwinners for their families so it allows them to continue supporting them. The paintings sell at high prices and give inmates a purpose when they might otherwise lose hope.
One hopes that the School of Fine Arts and Music continues to expand its programmes to other prisons nationwide.
via Arab News
