China’s Prisons Transform Scammers into Artists

On June 7th this year, a special exhibition was held in Shanghai. The opening ceremony of the “Intangible Cultural Heritage in Prisons” educational achievement exhibition was successfully held at the Shanghai Mass Art Museum. The exhibition featured works spanning 43 intangible cultural heritage skills, including jade carving, Gu embroidery, bamboo carving, and dough modeling, with a total of 255 pieces. These works were all handmade by inmates, who, under the careful guidance of prison officers and volunteer teachers, dedicated themselves to learning and inheriting these intangible cultural heritage skills within the prison.

A teacher instructs inmates in porcelain carving

Inmates creating Gu embroidery (Qingpu Prison）

Learning intangible cultural heritage skills not only purifies the inmates’ minds and inspires their pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty, eliminating the root causes of criminal thoughts and promoting their transformation towards goodness. It also equips them with a skill, laying a foundation for their smooth reintegration into society and helping them avoid reoffending.

Netizens have praised this method of rehabilitation. When these talented artistic works are presented to the public, they leave a significant emotional impact on ordinary citizens.

“Many crafts are not being passed down due to practical reasons; this is truly wonderful!”“Without mobile phones to distract them, they can really focus on learning.”“Immediately thought of vocational skills competitions.”“It cultivates character and provides employment opportunities; I want to learn too!”“I wonder if, in a few years, people will commit crimes on purpose just to learn these intangible cultural heritage skills in prison.”

Selected Works Display

Champlevé Enamel “Dragon’s Prosperous Journey”
Juvenile Delinquents Correctional Facility

Porcelain Carving “Leopard”
Wujiawa Prison

Water Bamboo Leaf Weaving “Giraffe”
Newly Admitted Prisoners Correctional Facility

Zisha Teapot “Ziye’s Ancient Ladle”
Baoshan Prison

Xuhang Straw Weaving “Teapot Set”
Wujiaochang Prison

Wheat Straw Painting “Adding Flowers to the Brocade”
Sichage Prison

Gu Embroidery “Along the River During the Qingming Festival (Part)”
Qingpu Prison

Jade Carving “Double-Ear Pot”
Qingpu Prison

Wood Carving “Sitting and Watching the Clouds Rise”
Beixinjing Prison

Inkstone Carving “Welcoming Pine”
Beixinjing Prison

Leaf Carving “Site of the First National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party”
Tilanqiao Prison

Zisha Teapot “Love My China” （Shape mimics the Tiananmen Gate in Beijing）
Baimaoling Prison

Chinese Knot “Osmanthus Attracting Butterflies”
Women’s Prison

Quilling “Peking Opera Characters”
Nanhui Prison

Xuan Paper Fan “Shrimp Play”  (Traditional Chinese ink painting)
Juntianhu Prison

Eggshell Painting “Egg Tree”
Beixinjing Prison

Colored Bean Painting “Along the River During the Qingming Festival”
Zhoupu Prison

Diamond Painting （Artificial crystal） “Rising Sun”
General Hospital of Prisons

Sanlin Embroidery “Lotus Pond and Weeping Willow”
Nanhui Prison

Not part of this exhibition:

Porcelain Carving, Wu Jiawa Prison

Quilling Notre-Dame Cathedral, Women’s Prison