{"id":672458,"date":"2026-05-15T11:37:39","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T11:37:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/672458\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T11:37:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T11:37:39","slug":"art-allows-inmates-at-macquarie-correctional-centre-to-support-their-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/672458\/","title":{"rendered":"Art allows inmates at Macquarie Correctional Centre to support their families"},"content":{"rendered":"

When “Blake” began his stint at a maximum-security prison in western NSW he did not think his design skills would be much use.<\/p>\n

But given the chance he “took the bull by the horns”, in more ways than one.<\/p>\n

Using computer skills acquired during custody and a background in carpentry, the inmate has created designs for sculptures that other prisoners help put together.<\/p>\n

One of his creations, a steel bull, now has pride of place outside a hotel in Tamworth.<\/p>\n

“I hadn’t used a computer since I was like 18,” Blake said (not his real name).<\/p>\n

“I was given the opportunity to come into the room and apply my abilities just as far as even creating very simple sheet-metal products.”<\/p>\n

\"3D<\/p>\n

The steel bull was conceptualised with the help of 3D modelling software. (ABC News: Lily Plass)<\/p>\n

Once the design is finished, the parts are welded together and the art piece is auctioned off.<\/p>\n

A percentage of the proceeds goes towards the inmates’ families on the outside.<\/p>\n

Peter Mason, manager of industries at the Macquarie Correctional Centre, 45 kilometres outside of Dubbo, said sculptures could sell for upwards of $5,000.<\/p>\n

“The inmates take pride in trying to be able to do things that can support their loved ones on the outside,” he said.<\/p>\n

\"two<\/p>\n

Peter Mason and Justin Quinn outside Macquarie Correctional Centre. (ABC News: Lily Plass)<\/p>\n

Back to the drawing board<\/p>\n

The inmates spend time making the artwork look true to nature.<\/p>\n

It took three and a half months to complete the design for the bull.<\/p>\n

“If you look at the tail, it actually looks as if the bull is either taking a step or maybe a bit aggressive,” Blake said.<\/p>\n

“It’s hard to make something that’s a metal structure pseudo-organic.”<\/p>\n

\"Inmate<\/p>\n

Blake began 3D modelling during his time in custody.\u00a0 (ABC News: Lily Plass)<\/p>\n

Correctional officer Lyndall Barlow oversees the design drawing room.<\/p>\n

Before starting at Macquarie Correctional she worked in architecture.<\/p>\n

“It’s a different way of applying my background but I really like it because it’s quite a challenge,” Ms Barlow said.<\/p>\n

“It’s really great to be able to design something on a computer, imagine it in your mind and then see it built right in front of you and have the opportunity to jump on the tools as well.”<\/p>\n

\"Inmate<\/p>\n

Some of the work inmates create is used in the agricultural industry. (ABC News: Lily Plass)<\/p>\n

A sense of normality<\/p>\n

Chris, also not his real name, has been in Macquarie Correctional since the facility was built in 2017.<\/p>\n

He works in heavy industries every day from 6:30am to 1pm.<\/p>\n

In his down time he welded the 450 parts of the steel bull together.<\/p>\n

\"man<\/p>\n

Inmates welded together 450 parts to create the steel bull.\u00a0 (Supplied: Corrective Services NSW)<\/p>\n

“It’s a bit of normality for us,” he said.<\/p>\n

“We don’t feel like we’re in jail.<\/p>\n

“I don’t like education much being in jail, but I will happily come to work every day.”<\/p>\n

Learning new skills<\/p>\n

Governor Justin Quinn said Macquarie Correctional was different from other jails he had worked at.<\/p>\n

\"hallway<\/p>\n

Artworks the inmates have created decorate the halls of Macquarie Correctional Centre. (ABC News: Lily Plass)<\/p>\n

“This is maximum security but \u2026 I think the inmates are more engaged with the staff,” he said.<\/p>\n

“They’re more willing to go into classes and work, learn new skills.”<\/p>\n

\"graffiti<\/p>\n

Inmates at Macquarie Correctional Centre operate on a 12-hour schedule, which includes work and education. (ABC News: Lily Plass)<\/p>\n

The inmates are working on a flower bulb sculpture made out of metal.<\/p>\n

“They’re putting in the hard work, taking advantage of the opportunities through work and education offered to them whilst they’re in custody, and it gives them skills to transfer employment on the outside once they leave,” Mr Quinn said.<\/p>\n

\"metal<\/p>\n

The inmates’ next art project is a giant flower bulb. (Supplied: NSW Corrective Services)<\/p>\n

The inmates’ strengths and interests help determine where they work in the prison.<\/p>\n

A background in playing video games could make them suited for the drawing room.<\/p>\n

“It’s about how they apply themselves, where they want to go, and they come down and they ask for these opportunities and we have the ability to provide them,” Ms Barlow said.<\/p>\n

“It’s not all turning keys and locking people away. It’s giving them opportunities.”<\/p>\n

\"yarning<\/p>\n

The yarning circle at Macquarie Correctional was created by the inmates.\u00a0 (ABC News: Lily Plass)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When “Blake” began his stint at a maximum-security prison in western NSW he did not think his design…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":672459,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[11480,64,63,324489,134,112596,324486,324488,324487,101115],"class_list":["post-672458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entertainment","tag-art","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-bull-sculpture","tag-entertainment","tag-inmates","tag-macquarie-correctional-centre","tag-maximum-security-prison","tag-prison-art","tag-prisoners"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/672458","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=672458"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/672458\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/672459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=672458"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=672458"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=672458"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}