Released on = June 27, 2006, 2:05 pm

Press Release Author = Inside Art - Community Futures

Industry = Non Profit

Press Release Summary = How do you change society\'s attitudes about inmates? How can
inmates change their lives? An innovative program in Greater Vancouver, B.C. Canada
has found a way - through art!



Press Release Body = Abbotsford, B.C. - Society today seems to have little or no
tolerance for people who commit crime and many would like to "throw away the key".
The reality is, however, that most federal inmates incarcerated in Canada today will
one day be released back into the community.

An innovative cooperative in the Fraser Valley has taken a different view, and
launched a social enterprise that has inmate owners at Mountain Institution
producing quality works of art from behind bars. This art work is then marketed and
sold, generating funds for continued art work and business growth, hence weaning the
inmates off of inmate pay and institutional jobs, as they begin to pay income tax on
these revenues. This will be the first coordinated instance of tax-paying inmates in
Canada.

Stacey Corriveau is a Social Enterprise Developer from Community Futures South
Fraser, and has been involved in the cooperative since its inception in late 2004.
"We wanted to provide inmates with useful business skills that would allow them to
understand the market place and generate revenue from their endeavours," said
Corriveau in a recent interview. The initiative has developed a website that
highlights their story and work of inmates - www.InsideArt.ca .

This social enterprise provides inmates with entrepreneurial training, marketing
assistance and a sense of self-sufficiency, with the goals of becoming contributing
and responsible members of society at large upon release, and even while
incarcerated. With skills, training and support these inmates are less likely to be
dependent on social agencies for financial aid, food and shelter - while
contributing to the community at the same time. They are also much less likely to
commit new crimes.

Ms. Corriveau says, "In our effort to move forward with marketing of members' art we
are seeking new members for our board and are looking to the community for people
who believe in the development of social enterprise and wish to get involved." Board
members will not be selling art, but will provide input and guidance to the
cooperative. "Members of the local community with experience, skills or interest in
art marketing, business, community economic development, and/or inmate reintegration
would be ideally suited to contribute," says Corriveau. Meetings will be held in
Abbotsford, on a monthly basis.

Community members who want to get involved are asked to contact Stacey Corriveau at
Community Futures of South Fraser in Abbotsford. Please express interest by
providing a statement of qualifications, experience and interest (or any questions)
to Stacey Corriveau, Inside Art Manager, at stacey.corriveau@southfraser.com or fax
604-864-5769.




Web Site = http://www.InsideArt.ca

Contact Details = Stacey Corriveau
South Fraser Community Futures
100-32383 South Fraser Way
Abbotsford, BC Canada
V2T 1W7
604-864-5770 ext. 307
stacey.corriveau@southfraser.com