These hands are worthy of art

An exhibition of handicraft courses opened for detainees and convicts with the slogan ‘Art suits these hands’ was held at Samsun T Type Closed and Open Penal Institution.The exhibition, held in the garden of a shopping center in Kale Mahallesi, Ilkadım district of Samsun, attracted attention. The opening ceremony of the exhibition, which will last for 3 days, was attended by Samsun Deputy Governor Emin Çolak, Samsun Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Halit Doğan, Samsun Chief Public Prosecutor Mehmet Sabri Kılıç, Justice Commission President Nahit Köseoğlu, Ilkadım Municipality Mayor Ihsan Kurnaz, Samsun T Type Closed Penal Institution Director Mustafa Sönmez, judges and prosecutors, department heads, representatives of non-governmental organizations, judicial and prison staff. Handmade products created by convicts and detainees in the prison were put up for sale at the exhibition.40.3 million TL income in 2024Samsun Chief Public Prosecutor Mehmet Sabri Kılıç thanked those who contributed to the exhibition in his opening speech. Prosecutor Kılıç stated, ‘In our penal institution, 365 detainees and convicts have shown success in the vocational training courses such as copper processing, ceramic object making, knitted toys (amigurumi), imitation jewelry design, and boiler stoking opened since September of the 2023-2024 academic year. Within the scope of vocational training activities under the Directorate of Workshop, activities such as furniture workshop, electrical-electronic maintenance workshop, iron workshop, construction technology, bakery, tailoring and upholstery, agriculture and greenhouse farming, canteen cafeteria industry, photocopy, laundry washing and drying, service branches are carried out to reintegrate detainees and convicts into society, provide vocational training, maintain and improve existing professions. A total of 110 convicts are actively working in the aforementioned activities. Occupational accident and occupational disease insurance are provided to the working convicts. 110 journeyman certificates and 2 master certificates have been issued to convicts and detainees working in these job sectors. Within the scope of our institution’s workshop activities, a revenue of 40,341,788 TL has been generated in the first four months of 2024, with a net profit of 6,355,474 TL. In line with the modern penal system understanding, educational and vocational programs are continued to be implemented in dignified environments to prepare convicts for life after their sentence. All convicts and detainees are enabled to participate in production under modern conditions, with the aim of setting an example to the world in workshop activities.