Is it right that prisoners should benefit financially from their artworks?
A. About 1 in 4 entrants to the Koestler Awards receives a cash prize, between £20 and £60, with £100 awards for Outstanding Achievement. The award-winning works are also put on sale in the annual exhibition, and the cash prize or sale price (less commission) is credited to the private account of the prisoner, young offender or patient. These are relatively small amounts of money but are confirmation of the quality of work submitted and convey a great deal of pride and encouragement. Prisoners can also use the money to help their families, or save it to provide much-needed funds on their release, thereby being less reliant on benefits or the generosity of relatives. 10% of all our sales income also goes to Victim Support.
