Cape Town — Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour says the creative arts has an important role to play in the rehabilitation of prisoners.

The minister addressed an annual awards ceremony of the National Institute for Crime Prevention and the Reintegration of Offenders (NICRO) held at the Castle of Good Hope last night, which recognised inmates from around the country who had entered an art competition.

The entrants participated in categories including painting, woodcraft, needlework, calligraphy and matchstick construction.

The competition celebrated ten years of democracy in South Africa.

"I believe that the key to success with rehabilitation lies in creativity and expression. In this regard I want to create opportunities for that creativity to blossom," Minister Balfour said.

The department has plans for a programme provisionally called Rehabilitation through Sport and Culture, an outlet for the artistic talent of offenders.

Minister Balfour said this programme could be spread to each of the correctional centers in the country.

"This event is a demonstration of the willingness of society to reach out and embrace those who have faltered," he added.

NICRO's National Specialist for offender reintegration, Ms Khanya Mpuang explained that art was a form of therapy.

She said the creative arts competition was in its eighth year and was eagerly awaited by each prisoner.

Ms Mpuang said the skills of prisoners should be harnessed. "Through art people are able to create things and express themselves to get through difficult times".