A FORMER inmate of Erlestoke Prison who credits art with turning his life around now hopes to teach art to offenders.

Marcus, 40, began painting again while in Erlestoke and took part in an innovative project creating a mosaic with fellow prisoners and victims of crime. The mosaic is on permanent display in the grounds of the prison.

Marcus, who left the prison after an 18-month sentence last month, says he has got his life on track. He has been accepted on a foundation diploma art therapy course at Bath College. He had been in and out of prison for 20 years for offences including drug dealing, violence and handling stolen goods.

He said: “It’s important to put something back, I have taken for years.”

As a thank you for the help he was given by the Friends of Erlestoke Prison he donated one of his paintings to their annual silent auction, which sold for £300.