Talk on art therapy in jails

The benefits of art therapy in prisons are to be discussed at an event in the National Gallery of Scotland tomorrow.

The free lecture, Creativity versus Criminality: Art Therapy in Prisons, will be led by art therapist Joyce Laing, who was part of the dramatic advances in art therapy in the Special Unit at HMP Barlinnie in the 1970s.

Her work will always be associated with encouraging the creativity of high-profile prisoners such as Jimmy Boyle and Hugh Collins.

Following the lecture, there will be a discussion of the ongoing exhibition, Mirrors: Prison Portraits.

The event will be held at the Hawthornden lecture Theatre in the National Gallery Complex on the Mound and starts at 6.15pm. Tickets are not required.