"When you're in jail for life, you're angry all the time."
That used to be the view of 'Kevin', an inmate who'd spent most of his life behind bars.
But this self-described 'lifer' said he got his life and humanity back, through painting.
"All I did was use hate and violence and anger, that was my solution for everything," he said.
"Now I care about people."
'Kevin' is one of several Indigenous inmates at the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre who take part in a weekly art classes, run by Indigenous elder Charlie Chambers.
The famous painter teaches prisoners about Indigenous culture and passes on traditional stories through the artwork.
For 'Kevin', who was part of the Stolen Generations, it was the first chance he had to learn his culture and connect with his identity.
"I was taken from my family at six years old and I've been in boys homes and jails ever since," he said.
"He (Charlie) tells us his tribal stories that his father and his grandfather passed down to him.
"To a stolen generation person it means the world to me, because I didn't know any of our stories," he said.
Uncle Charlie, as he's known, spent his own time behind bars when he was younger.
He said he wanted to help his people reconnect with their humanity.
"What I try and get these guys to do is feel strong with themselves," he said.
"I see a lot of guys who are brought up in the cities … they lose their identity, who they are, what they are, where they're from.
"A lot of these guys make mistakes, but then you paint your story and you feel proud to accomplish something you've never done."
Indigenous Queenslanders make up almost half of the prison population and are 11 times more likely to be jailed.
Uncle Charlie hoped his program would reduce re-offending rates.
"There is a life on the outside you know," he told the class.
"You're a strong warrior on the inside, be the same on the outside — just say no, you've got to be cruel to be kind."
'Kevin' said Charlie's influence helped him to kick a lifelong drug habit and finish Year 12.
"I believe in myself now, it's given me confidence to talk to people — it's given me my life back."
The artworks will be sold at charity auctions.
