Art Auction

Prisoner's art to be auctioned to support Shropshire Project

Inmates at prisons in Shrewsbury and across the West Midlands are showing their artistic skills to support a project designed to help stop them returning to crime when they are released back into the community.

Paintings and a wide selection of other items crafted by the prisoners will go under the hammer at an auction next month to raise money for the Fresh Start New Beginnings Project.

Andrew Beeston, senior auctioneer and valuer at leading Shropshire fine art auction house Halls, has agreed to conduct the auction at the Lord Hill Hotel, Shrewsbury on November 1 at 6.30pm.

The auction has been organised by Annamarie Balram, project manager, who explained that 66 per cent of prisoners reoffend within two years of being released from prison, often because they have no home to go to, lack support and have limited chances of finding employment because they lack the necessary skills.