The art class at CC2 captured by a 15 year old prisoner

"This picture demonstrates my regret at my actions which were wrong. They brought me to a place where everyone hates. In this place I lost my education, friends and family..." These are the heartfelt words from a 16 year old minor prisoner in Phnom Penh. Together with these words and his own drawing this prisoner has been able to express himself in prison - no place for a child to grow up.

From September 15 to 17, 2007, an art-exhibition entitled "Experience and Dreams, Drawings by Children in Prison", was hosted at the Cambodian National Cultural Centre in Phnom Penh. The exhibition put on display a collection of expressive drawings by children detained in prison that illustrated prison conditions, their personal impressions of the justice system and their thoughts and future dreams.

The art event was part of the campaign "Children in Prison: No Place to Grow up" which aims to promote "protection, fairness, and hope rather than justice, neglect and despair" for children in prison. The campaign is funded by the European Union and DANIDA and is being implemented by DanChurchAid (DCA), Legal Aid of Cambodia (LAC) and LICADHO.

The public exhibition was the culmination of art classes that were held earlier this year at three separate prisons, Kandal, CC2 and Siem Reap. The classes involved 66 children (including eight girls) ranging in ages between 13 and 18 and some of whom were pre-trial detainees whilst others who had been sentenced to terms up to 15 years. The art classes gave the children an opportunity to express themselves in a challenging and unique way through the rehabilitative nature of art therapy and by providing a forum where their emotions and thoughts could be displayed.

A drawing depicting recreational activities at CC2To conduct the art classes six arts students from Phnom Penh's Art-University volunteered their time to teach the children drawings skills. The classes turned out to be a mutually beneficial experience; as the children developed their drawings skills and were occupied for a period of time while the art students participated in a rewarding teaching experience.

The Ministry of Interior and the Department of Prisons were cooperative in giving the NGO's permission to conduct the art classes and it is hoped in the future that there will be opportunity to conduct more classes.

Unfortunately the success of the art classes and the exhibition were overshadowed by the Ministry of Interior's final hour decision to remove several of the drawings. Prior to the exhibition, DCA, LAC and LICADHO had received permission from the Director of the Department of Prisons to exhibit a selection of drawings; however on the opening day of the exhibition a number of officials arrived at the National Cultural Centre to remove several drawings that they deemed unsuitable for public display. The removed drawings depicted acts of torture and abuse being perpetrated by prison officials and the police.

One of the drawings removed by the Ministry - A disturbing drawing of police beating a youth for a confessionDCA, LAC and LICADHO are extremely disappointed by the Ministry's actions. The purpose of the art-exhibition was to show the public the point of view of children who live behind bars and also to provide them with an opportunity to express themselves. Children need to be provided with conditions that will not harm their development and they have a right to a legal and prison system which recognizes them as children. Children also have the right not to be subjected to torture and violence, whether or not they are living in prison. Sadly, Cambodia has no separate juvenile justice system and approximately 40% of minor prisoners are currently housed with adult prisoners.