JETA Program

In 1995 a program at Curtin University was established to provide access to an art degree for incarcerated students.

The JETA (Justice and Equity Through Access/Art) program initially started with 2 students who had successfully completed accredited TAFE art courses. These students were long serving inmates who had the desire to push their art training further. Both students graduated with distinction, one going on to receive 1st class honours. No longer in prison both find their art practice a continuing driving force in their lives.

The JETA program supports and encourages students to continue with the degree upon release in the same way as they studied inside. This was set up to take into consideration the often heavy demands of being on parole.

As numbers continue to rise the program has had to re-evaluate and streamline delivery. The Curtin Art Department has extensive experience in offering programs that are flexible in delivery by providing on campus, online and regional access. By gathering together program materials that are provided to these multifarious groups we have been able to select that which is appropriate and add/adapt for delivery in prison.

In offering a flexible course we must take into consideration the movement of inmates who frequently are re-assigned to different prisons as well as all the security procedures and parole demands. JETA staff are well aware of the many restrictions regarding computers (especially the internet) as well as restrictions on a lot of art materials.

The Director Zoy Crizzle who initiated this program started working full time in a maximum security prison in WA in the 1980's. Zoy wrote up many of the prison policies and procedures regarding 'art in prisons', ran major 'Prison Art Exhibitions', held workshops, visited all the prisons in the State and hired staff. Zoy has extensive knowledge in working with inmates from all 'walks of life' and has a passion for art as a tool for rehabilitation.

If you wish to contact Zoy regarding the JETA program email: z.crizzle@curtin.edu.au

Staff currently employed under the JETA program

Gerrick Martin
Gerrick Martin (Rick) BA (Visual Arts) Edith Cowan University, is employed as an ITAS tutor and a lecturer (sessional). Rick has lectured at TAFE and taught art in various locations in the South West of WA as well as Exhibiting widely.

Jeremy Blank
Jeremy Blank is currently studying a PhD at Curtin University and is employed as a sessional lecturer within the Department of Art and the JETA programme. Jeremy has exhibited extensively all around the world and has had many articles published. Jeremy is employed within the JETA programme to look after the theory side of the Art Degrees. Jeremy has a BA (honours) Chelsea School of Art U.K, MA (Fine Art Electronic Art) Curtin University

Maggie Aird
Maggie Aird BA (Art) Curtin University, is employed as a lecturer (sessional). Maggie is the art-coordinator/lecturer at WA's only private prison. Maggie was a nurse until she decided to pursue her passion and study art majoring in painting and installation work. Maggie has also worked as an ITAS tutor.

Rebecca Dagnall
Rebecca Dagnall BA (Hons) Curtin University, is employed as an ITAS tutor and lecturer (sessional). Primarily a photographer/printmaker Rebecca has lectured at University and TAFE levels as well as worked with Youth at Risk and Indigenous Australians.