The New Hampshire State Prison for Women is looking a lot more colorful thanks to an obscure state law and lots of spray paint.
The state’s Percent For Art Program requires half of 1% of the cost of construction for new state buildings to be preserved for the commission of artwork, as required by the law.
When the state completed construction of the new women’s prison in 2018 it put $75,000 toward this art fund.
This week, New Hampshire artist Manny Ramirez from Positive Street Art in Nashua has been teaching spray-painting techniques to female residents.
Inmates spray-painted graffiti murals in the reception and diagnostic area and the secure management unit yard with the goal of creating a therapeutic and calming space for residents, prison officials said.
“It’s nice to be known for something good rather than for something bad,” inmate Holly Wilson said.