1

PRISON ARTS RESOURCE PROJECT

An Annotated Bibliography

Authors

Amanda Gardner, Ph.D.

Lori L. Hager, Ph.D., University of Oregon

Grady Hillman, Southwestern Correctional Arts Network

May 2014

This project was supported by an award from the Research: Art Works program at the

National Endowment for the Arts: Grant # 13-3800-7013

The opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not represent

the views of the Office of Research & Analysis or the National Endowment for the Arts.

The NEA does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information included

in this report and is not responsible for any consequence of its use.
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THE PRISON ARTS RESOURCE PROJECT: An Annotated

Bibliography

WORKING PAPER

Submitted to the National Endowment for the Arts

May 2014

Amanda Gardner, Ph.D.

Lori L. Hager, Ph.D., University of Oregon

Grady Hillman, Southwestern Correctional Arts Network

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Arts and Administration graduate student Beatrice Ogden for her

significant contributions as research assistant and for her design of the final report.
3

Table of Contents

Abstract

Introduction to the Study

Annotated Bibliography:

Section I: Adult Offender Arts Programs

Section II: Juvenile Offender Arts Programs

Appendix: Program Evaluation Resources

Author Affiliations
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ABSTRACT

The Prison Arts Resource Project (PARP) is an annotated bibliography of

evidence-based studies evaluating the impact of arts programs in U.S.

correctional settings. Each of the 48 entries includes information about the arts

program as well as the study research goals, methods and a summary of findings.

Adult offender and juvenile offender programs are identified. While not an

exhaustive list, this collection of annotated impact studies represent publicly

available evidence that can be accessed by individuals and organizations seeking

to develop their own evaluation or research, or who are seeking evidence of

impact for the purposes of program development and policy improvement.

Keywords: Prison Arts, policy, arts impact
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INTRODUCTION

The Prison Arts Resource Project (PARP) is an annotated bibliography of studies

which provide evidence of the benefits of arts programs in correctional settings

for adult and juvenile offenders. This compilation seeks to provide, for the first

time, a collection of prison arts impact studies in the United States. While not an

exhaustive list, the impact studies that follow represent publicly available materials

and so may be accessed by individuals and organizations seeking to develop their

own impact studies, or provide evidence of impact for the purposes of program

development and policy improvement.

Background

Evidence-based studies did not begin with arts programs themselves. The use of

the arts in correctional settings in the U.S. has been ubiquitous since prisons were

established in this country, but most of these early efforts were informal rather

than organized.

In the 1840s, Charles Dickens, as a social critic of prisons, was invited to the

United States to analyze new models of prisons being created on the East Coast.

His American Notes for General Circulation-1842 provided early insights into early

arts-in-prisons. While Dickens generally was highly critical of the U.S. prison

experiments, he discovered when he visited inmates in the “silent system,” which

provided no contact with other human beings, that what inmates did was create

art:

The first man I saw was seated at his loom, at work. . . . He had

ingeniously manufactured a sort of Dutch clock from some discarded odds

and ends; and his vinegar bottle served for the pendulum. Seeing me

interested in this contrivance, he looked up at it with a good deal of pride,

and said that he hoped the hammer and a little piece of broken glass beside

it ‘would play music before long.’ He had extracted some colors from the

yarn with which he worked and painted a few poor figures on the wall. One

of a female over the door, he called ‘The Lady of the Lake.’” (Dickens, pps

117-118)

The breadth of prison arts experiences include both individual participation and

also peer-organized arts experiences. When William Sydney Porter (aka O. Henry)

was incarcerated in the Ohio Federal Penitentiary from 1898-1901, he organized

a Sunday recluse club in which a group of men in the prison would share their

creative writing and stories in an organized manner. At that same time, O. Henry
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was also playing in the prison band. Prison musical bands, typically brass and

patriotic in nature, appeared throughout prisons of that era. Another trend in

prison programs was toward religious training and character building, and these

early patriotic prison choirs emerged as a common type of prison arts program in

the early part of the twentieth century. In the Southern U.S., with the emergence

of agricultural production on prison farms like Parchment in Mississippi and Angola

in Louisiana, both African-American and White prisoners used songs, “hollers,”

call-and-response and narrative to make work pass by less tediously. The prison

system didn’t organize the singing; whether it was hoeing fields, cutting wood or

picking cotton, music was part of the prison culture. Lead Belly, incarcerated in

both Texas and Louisiana, was renowned as the most productive of cotton

pickers at Angola in the 1930s, and became a popular musician and radio star

after his release. Alan Lomax recorded the songs which are now available through

the Association for Cultural Equity.

At the same time that O. Henry was serving his time for embezzlement in the

Ohio Federal Prison, another movement, albeit not a correctional movement but

a community arts movement, began with the settlement houses such as Hull

House in Chicago and Henry Street Settlement in New York City. Many of these

settlement houses provided cultural education for youth and adults as a method

of assimilating new immigrant populations.

At the start of the twentieth century in the United States, the settlement houses

provided an example of the possibilities for youth offender education and cultural

development through the arts. The first community arts initiative created by the

National Endowment for the Arts was the Poets-in-the-Schools, pioneered by

Kenneth Koch. With the growth of gangs and serious substance abuse by youth,

society’s response was to create new detention facilities, both short-term,

municipal and long-term “reformatories.” Many of the studies that we find in the

bibliography have seen much success with youth arts programs, some of them

curricular and others community-based programs within institutions.

In the 1950s and 1960s, one element of “rehabilitation” of inmates was the

institutionalization of prison libraries so that literature would build the character

and intellect of inmates and “correct” them in a bibliotherapeutic manner. The

establishment of prison libraries created individual opportunities for personal

growth and literary skills which blossomed in the 1960s and 1970s with notable

figures like Eldridge Cleaver, Malcolm Braly, Etheridge Knight, Ricardo Sanchez,

Raul Salinas and Michael Hogan.

Starting in 1972, inmates were offered the opportunity to obtain education

including baccalaureate and post-graduate education through Pell grants. If

enough inmates were organized to create a class, community colleges and
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universities would provide the classes for credit. It was at this time that the

evidence-based studies on the positive or negative effects of arts and literature

programs which are detailed in this bibliography emerged. Many of these were a

direct result of the Comprehensive Employment Training Act (CETA), implemented

by the Department of Labor in 1973, which provided funding to hire unemployed

or underemployed workers in community service. Many local and state arts

councils and organizations utilized this funding to employ artists in almost every

community arts venue possible, including schools, museums, prisons, jails,

detention centers, hospitals, and rural communities. One of the early studies in

this bibliography is Project CULTURE, which was undertaken by the American

Correctional Association (ACA) with funding through the Corrections Division,

Office of Criminal Justice Programs. Project CULTURE was a national project which

underwrote 21 successful prison arts programs selected with evaluations in place.

Pell grants for inmates were eliminated in 1994, virtually removing the

reformative degree-granting presence of community colleges and universities

from the prison system. This, along with the growth in private prisons, which had

no rationale for providing arts or educational programs, has resulted in the

reduction of prison arts programs across the U.S. Juvenile correctional institutions

are more likely to have arts programs as a stable component of treatment

philosophy and juvenile correctional populations continue to expand.

Methodology

Our mandate in receiving this Research: Art Works grant from the National

Endowment for the Arts was clear: to examine existing data, identifying and

compiling a bibliography of studies of the impact of correctional arts programs.

Our methodology was to illuminate papers, reports, surveys and presentations,

which were evidence-based documents. We scoured scholarly databases and the

internet, relied on personal and institutional archives and directly contacted via

phone or email established prison arts programs such as Rehabilitation Through

The Arts and Changing Lives Through Literature to locate additional evaluations.

If the article, chapter or paper presented itself specifically as an evaluation or

impact study, it was included in the bibliography. The range of outcomes

presented is wide and varying and includes societal impact (cost/benefit

analyses), individual impact (self-esteem, social skills, mental health) and,

occasionally, impact on the institution or artists providing the program. Results

were reported as they were presented by the individual authors; we did not

attempt to interpret any findings. A number of the published studies that are

included in the bibliography reference the same data sets. In these cases, we

included each individually published study, trying to note nuances in the reported
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results.

We should also note that the rubrics or methodologies are not consistent across

the studies. Sample sizes, specific populations, and data-collection methods vary

greatly. The annotations reflect the details available in the individual studies and

evaluations.

The art forms represented in the impact studies follow standard arts disciplinary

categories of music, dance, visual arts, creative writing and theater and as well as

bibliotherapy. Richards, et. al. (2000), explored the role of writing on the health of

inmates diagnosed with psychiatric illnesses and confined in the psychiatric wing of

a correctional facility. Although the intervention was not labeled an “arts”

intervention, it was described as a creative form of writing, and so was included in

the bibliography. Art therapy is not considered an art program per se but it can be

a group program which has many of the qualities of an arts programs. For that

reason, we also integrated art therapy evaluations.

This bibliography does not present individual programs or state or national

initiatives. An excellent survey of individual programs can be found in Krista

Brune's Creating Behind the Razor Wire (2008). Studies evaluating juvenile

offender programs included only adjudicated youth, or youth already involved with

the court system. As with arts education, much has been written elsewhere about

the effects of the many arts-based community prevention and intervention

programs for youth who are at risk of delinquency but who have not yet

encountered the justice system.

Finally, this bibliography incorporates evaluations of U.S. programs only. The Arts

Alliance, a coalition of arts organizations working in the British criminal justice

system, has compiled an excellent Evidence Library of research on the impact of

arts programming in correctional facilities in the United Kingdom. Our

methodology and final document are complementary to that database.

We have tried to keep entries as consistent as possible. In the majority of cases,

evaluations involved ongoing prison arts programs, both long-term and

short-term, and each entry starts off with program name, description and

location. If the study was not part of a larger arts program, adaptations to the

format have been made as needed. Program information is followed by details on

methodology and results of the specific study. Keywords reflect both art forms

and outcomes.

Entries are divided into two sections, juvenile and adult, which correspond to the

two types of correctional institutions and arts programs.
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References

Dickens, Charles. (1913). Philadelphia and Its Solitary Prison. In American Notes.

Canada: Harper and Brothers (Chapter 7). Retrieved from

http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/DICKENS/dks7.html

Fisher-Giorlando, M. (2005). Prison Music. In Mary Bosworth (Ed.), Encyclopedia

of Prisons & Correctional Facilities (744-747). Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE

Publications.

Goldbard, A. (1993). Postscripts to the past: Notes toward a history of

community arts. High Performance, 64, 23-27.

Hager, L. (2008). Community Arts. In Blandy, D. & Carpenter, G. (Eds), Arts and

Cultural Programming: A Leisure Perspective (159-172). Champaign, IL:

Human Kinetics.

Hillman, G. (Winter 2009). Arts and Juvenile Justice. Best Practices in Mental

Health, 5(1),1-9.

Hillman, G. (Spring/Summer 1994). Kerouac’s Town, Dickens and Prison Art.

Texas Journal of Ideas, History and Culture, 16(2), 22-27.
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ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

SECTION I:

ADULT OFFENDER ARTS PROGRAM:

EVIDENCE-BASED STUDIES & EVALUATIONS

1. Arizona State University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (2013).

Calculating Impact: doing the numbers. Prison English News,

1(1), 2.

Author Affiliation: Arizona State University

Artforms: Creative writing, drama, literature, poetry

Program: Arizona State University Prison English Program

Program (Study) Location: Penitentiary of New Mexico, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Program Description: Arizona State University (ASU) offers two university-level

English courses at the New Mexico state penitentiary. One-hundred-fifty inmates

are linked with ASU undergraduates who provide critiques of inmate creative writing.

Study Published: Summer 2013

Participant Type: Maximum-security adult male inmates

Data Type: Quantitative

Evaluation Focus: Cost savings

Summary of Impact: As a result of the Prison English Program, the New Mexico

Corrections Department receives program savings of $27,000-$40,500 per semester.

KEYWORDS: adult, cost-savings, creative writing, drama, linguistics, literature, poetry,

prison education, Prison English Program, university

2. Blinn, C. (1995) Teaching Cognitive Skills to Effect Behavioral

Change Through a Writing Program. Journal of Correctional

Education, 46(4), 146-154.

Author Affiliation: Emerson College

Artforms: Bibliotherapy, literature, writing

Program: Writing for Our Lives

Program Description: Writing for Our Lives used daily journal entries, weekly writing

assignments and weekly classroom discussions to shift offenders’ self-identity from

pro-criminal to pro-social, and to enhance problem-solving skills and impulse control.

Short stories were used as “a basis for discussion of point of view regarding

empathy, how the characters’ peer associations impact their lives, the life changes

exhibited by the characters, and possible alternative solutions to problems

encountered by the characters” (p. 147). The curriculum was designed to
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complement the Correctional Recovery Academy (CRA) program of the

Massachusetts Department of Correction.

Program (Study) Location: Northeastern Correctional Center, Concord,

Massachusetts

Study Published: 1995

Participant Type: Adult male inmates

Sample Size: 54

Data Type: Qualitative: instructor observations, participants’ written evaluations

Evaluation Focus: Research questions:

● Will offenders record prosocial behaviors on a daily basis? Will they

demonstrate increased prosocial behaviors after self-monitoring?

● Will participating in Writing for Our Lives enable offenders to change their

self-identities from procriminal to prosocial? Will participation raise their sense

of self-efficacy as writers? Will participant’s appreciation for the prosocial

activity of writing increase?

● Will offenders master a model for concrete problem solving [THINK FIRST]?

Will offenders demonstrate consequential thinking after learning the THINK

FIRST method?

● Will offenders develop social perspective-taking skills through discussing the

point(s) of view from which the assigned short stories are told?

Will offenders make use of their knowledge of reading - or writing-related

community activities after their release (p. 150)?

Summary of Impact:

● Offenders recorded prosocial behaviors on a daily basis and appeared to

demonstrate increased prosocial behaviors with regard to this assignment (p. 150).

● Participation enabled offenders to begin (or continue) the process of changing their

self-identities from procriminal to prosocial (p. 151).

● Significant increase in offenders’ sense of self-efficacy as writers (p. 151).

● Many offenders appeared to have mastered a model for concrete problem-solving

and the ability to think consequentially (p. 151).

● Participants exhibited some measure of social perspective-taking skills when

discussing the point(s) of view from which the assigned short stories were told (p.

152).

KEYWORDS: adult, behavior, bibliotherapy, consequences, identity, literature,

problem-solving, pro-criminal pro-social, writing, Writing for Our Lives

3. Brewster, L. (2010). The California arts-in-corrections music

programme: A qualitative study. International Journal of

Community Music, 3(1), 33-46.

Author Affiliation: University of San Francisco

Artforms: Guitar-building, music

Program: Arts-in-Corrections (AIC)
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Program (Study) Location: Adult correctional facilities, California

Program Description: AIC was one of the first prisons arts program in the nation,

operating from 1977-1981 under the auspices of the William James Association, and

from 1981 to 2003 under the California Department of Corrections. Individual and

group instruction was offered in the visual, performing, literary and media arts and

fine craft disciplines in California correctional institutions. The California Department

of Corrections resumed funding of the program in 2014.

Study Published: 2010

Participant Type: Former adult male inmates

Sample Size: 6

Data Type: Qualitative: In-depth interviews

Evaluation Focus: Impact of the AIC program on lives of inmates during and after

incarceration.

Summary of Impact: Participants in AIC reported increased self discipline, self-esteem,

self-respect, sense of purpose, and reconnection with family as a result of the program.

Participants also reported reduced racial tension in the correctional facility. The evaluation

follows up on ex-offenders 25 years after participation in the Arts-in-Corrections program,

and the publication of Brewster’s 1983 cost-benefit analysis of the California AIC program.

KEYWORDS: adult, Arts-in-Corrections, discipline, family, guitar-building, music, race,

self-esteem, self-respect, sense of purpose

4. Brewster, L. (2014). California Prison Arts: A Quantitative

Evaluation. Santa Cruz, CA: William James Association.

Retrieved from:

http://williamjamesassociation.org/california-prison-arts-evalu

ation-2014/

Author Affiliation: University of San Francisco

Artforms: poetry, theater, visual arts, writing

Programs/Sponsors: The Actors’ Gang, Arts-in-Corrections (AIC), Jail Guitar Doors,

Marin Shakespeare, Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, William James

Association

Program Description: AIC was one of the first prisons arts program in the nation,

operating from 1977-1981 under the auspices of the William James Association, and

from 1981 to 2003 under the California Department of Corrections. Individual and

group instruction was offered in the visual, performing, literary and media arts and

fine craft disciplines in California correctional institutions. The California Department

of Corrections resumed funding of the program in 2014. This study incorporated

evaluations of AIC as well as post-AIC prison arts programs in California.

Program (Study) Location: The evaluation was conducted at four California

correctional facilities:

● California Rehabilitation Center, Norco (The Actors’ Gang)

● New Folsom State Prison (Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission)
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● San Quentin State Prison (Marin Shakespeare)

● Correctional Training Facility, Soledad (William James Association)

Study Published: 2014

Participant Type: Adult male inmates

Sample Size: 110

Data Type: Pre- and post-surveys: Life Effectiveness Questionnaire (LEQ)

measuring time management, social competence, achievement motivation,

intellectual flexibility, emotional control, active initiative and self-confidence

Evaluation Focus: Changes in inmates’ attitudes and behavior

Summary of Impact:

● Pre- and post-test survey results of inmates with no previous arts education and

practice showed positive and statistically significant correlation between

participation in theater, writing and visual arts classes and improved time

management, achievement motivation, intellectual flexibility, active initiative and

self-confidence.

● A significant majority of former AIC inmates attribute the arts program with giving

them greater confidence and self-discipline to pursue other academic and vocational

opportunities. This was especially true for those who had participated in AIC for two

or more years.

● Reduction in self-reported disciplinary reports while involved in the arts classes;

61% of those who participated in AIC for 5 or more years reported improved

behavior.

● Most AIC inmates reported better relations with other inmates and with prison staff

● A significant majority of participants reported that the arts program helped them

relieve stress, feel happier and gain valuable insights.

● 58% of arts-program participants said art brought them closer to family, enriched

their conversations and nurtured a new identity as artist rather than convict.

● Positive though not statistically significant change in participants’ feelings of social

competence and emotional control; this improvement was statistically significant for

those who participated two or more years in AIC.

KEYWORDS: academic, achievement motivation, active initiative, The Actors’ Gang, adult,

Arts-in-Corrections, attitudes, behavior, disciplinary reports, discipline, emotional control,

family, happiness, identity, intellectual flexibility, Jail Guitar Doors, Marin Shakespeare,

personal growth, poetry, self-confidence, self-discipline, social competence, social

relations, stress, theater, time management, visual arts, vocational, writing

5. Brewster, L. (1983). An Evaluation of the Arts-in-Corrections

Program of the California Department of Corrections. Santa

Cruz, CA: William James Association.

Author Affiliation: San Jose State University

Artforms: Ceramics, fine crafts, guitar-making, literary arts, media arts, music,

painting, performing arts, printmaking, sculpting, visual arts, writing

Program: Arts-in-Corrections (AIC)
14

Program Description: AIC was one of the first prisons arts program in the nation,

operating from 1977-1981 under the auspices of the William James Association, and

from 1981 to 2003 under the California Department of Corrections. Individual and

group instruction was offered in the visual, performing, literary and media arts and

fine craft disciplines in California correctional institutions. The California Department

of Corrections resumed funding of the program in 2014.

Program (Study) Location: The author evaluated the following four AIC locations:

● California Medical Facility at Vacaville

● Deuel Vocational Institution, Tracy, California

● San Quentin State Prison

● Correctional Training Facility at Soledad

Study Published: 1983

Participant Type: Adult male inmates

Sample Size: AIC programs at four California Department of Corrections facilities

Data Type: Quantitative

Evaluation Focus: Costs and benefits of the California Arts-in-Corrections program

from three perspectives: social, taxpayer and individual

Summary of Impact:

● $228,522 in measurable social benefits (including $105,406 in taxpayer benefits and

$123,116 in individual benefits) compared with a cost to the California Department

of Corrections of $162,790 (p. 41).

● 35.9% of the AIC participants at the California Medical Facility and 65.7% of those

at the Correctional Training Facility had fewer disciplinary actions while participating

in the program (p. 29).

● 75% of AIC participants at the California Medical Facility and 80.6% of those at the

Correctional Training Facility had fewer disciplinary infractions when compared with

nonparticipants (after excluding inmates who received no disciplinary citations while

at the institution) (p. 29).

● The decrease in disciplinary actions reduced disciplinary administration time by 4,553

hours with a concomitant cost savings of $77,406 (p. 29).

KEYWORDS: adult, Arts-in-Corrections, ceramics, disciplinary reports, discipline, fine

crafts, guitar-making, incidents, literary arts, media arts, music, painting, performing arts,

printmaking, relationships, sculpting, self-confidence, self-esteem, skills, taxpayers,

violence, visual arts, writing

6. Brewster, L. (2010). A Qualitative Study of the California

Arts-in-Corrections Program. Santa Cruz, CA: William James

Association.

Author Affiliation: University of San Francisco

Artforms: Ceramics, fine crafts, guitar-making, literary arts, media arts, music,

painting, performing arts, printmaking, sculpting, visual arts, writing

Program: Arts-in-Corrections (AIC)

Program Description: AIC was one of the first prisons arts program in the nation,
15

operating from 1977-1981 under the auspices of the William James Association, and

from 1981 to 2003 under the California Department of Corrections. Individual and

group instruction was offered in the visual, performing, literary and media arts and

fine craft disciplines in California correctional institutions. The California Department

of Corrections resumed funding of the program in 2014.

Program (Study) Location: Northern California

Study Published: 2010

Participant Type: Adult male and female former inmates

Sample Size: 18 (16 male and 2 female)

Data Type: Qualitative: In-depth interviews

Evaluation Focus: Impact of AIC on lives of inmates during and after incarceration

Summary of Impact: Inmates revealed that participation in the AIC program enhanced

their self-esteem, work ethic, discipline and identity as artists. All interviewees successfully

completed parole, and 31% (5 of 16) self-identify as artists, earning all or part of their

living through art.

KEYWORDS: adult, Arts-in-Corrections, ceramics, fine crafts, guitar-making, identity,

literary arts, media arts, music, painting, performing arts, printmaking, purpose,

rehabilitation, sculpting, self-esteem, visual arts, work ethic, writing

7. California Department of Corrections. (n.d.). Arts-in-Corrections

Research Synopsis on Parole Outcomes for Participants Paroled

December 1980-February 1987. Santa Cruz, CA: William James

Association Prison Arts Program. Retrieved

from:http://www.williamjamesassociation.org/reports/CDC-A

IC_recitivism_research_synopsis.pdf

Author Affiliation: California Department of Corrections

Artforms: Ceramics, fine crafts, guitar-making, literary arts, media arts, music,

painting, performing arts, printmaking, sculpting, visual arts, writing

Program: Arts-in-Corrections (AIC)

Program Description: AIC was one of the first prisons arts program in the nation,

operating from 1977-1981 under the auspices of the William James Association, and

from 1981 to 2003 under the California Department of Corrections (CDC). Individual

and group instruction was offered in the visual, performing, literary and media arts

and fine craft disciplines in California correctional institutions. The California

Department of Corrections resumed funding of the program in 2014.

Program (Study) Location: Adult correctional institutions, California

Study Published: 1987

Participant Type: Adult inmates who participated in at least one class per week for

six months

Sample Size: 177

Data Type: Quantitative: Review of parole data

Evaluation Focus: Parole outcomes, recidivism
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Summary of Impact: The research shows that as time since release increased, the

difference between the percentage of favorable outcomes for AIC and

all CDC parolees becomes greater.

● Six months after parole AIC participants showed an 88% rate of favorable outcomes

(no parole difficulties, technical parolee infractions, misdemeanor convictions only)

versus 72.5% for all releases Specifically, six months after parole,

Arts-in-Corrections participants show an 88% rate of favorable outcome as

compared to the 72.25% rate for all CDC releases (p. 1).

● Over a one-year period, the AIC participant favorable outcome was 74.2% versus

49.6% for all parolees (p. 1).

● Two years after release, 69.2% of AIC parolees retained their favorable status

(versus 42% for all releases) (p. 1).

● After six months, AIC favorable rate was 15.7 percentage points higher than rate for

all CDC releases. Two years after release, the difference climbed to 27.2 percentage

points (p. 1).

KEYWORDS: adult, Arts-in-Corrections, ceramics, fine crafts, guitar-making, literary arts,

media arts, music, painting, parole, performing arts, printmaking, recidivism, sculpting,

visual arts, writing

8. Cleveland, W. (1992). Geese Theater: America’s National Prison

Theater Company. in Cleveland, W. Art in Other Places: Artists

at Work in America’s Community and Social Institutions.

Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers. p. 51-73.

Author Affiliation: Center for the Study of Art & Community

Artforms: Drama, dramatherapy, theater

Program: Geese Theater

Project (Study) Location: Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility, Iowa

Project Description: Drama workshops in correctional

Participant Type: Adult male inmates

Sample Size: unspecified

Study Published: 1992

Data Type: Quantitative

Evaluation Focus: The study evaluated relationship outcomes among inmates who

participated in a month-long residency program called “Theater in a Month.” The

original study, on which this articles is based, (Outcomes for Inmate Participants in

Drama Programs. Mount Pleasant, Iowa: Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility, Iowa

Department of Corrections, 1982), was not available.

Summary of Impact: 70% of men who participated for the entire program showed

“significant positive change in their relationship with peers and authority figures over a

three month period” (p. 61).

KEYWORDS: adult, authority figures, drama, drama therapy, peers, relationships, social,
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theater

9. Cohen, M.L., (2009). Choral singing and prison inmates: influences

of performing in a prison choir. Journal of Correctional

Education. 60(1), 52-65.

Author Affiliation: University of Iowa

Artforms: Choir, music

Program: Therapeutic Community Inmate Singers (TCIS)

Program (Study) Location: Substance-abuse treatment center at a

minimum-security correctional facility in U.S. Midwest

Program Description: “The therapeutic community program's goals focused on

changing

participants' addictive behavior through cognitive restructuring” (p. 55), and which

included a community inmate choir. Weekly ninety-minute rehearsals culminated in a

community-inmate performance.

Study Published: 2009

Participant Type:

● Experiment 1: Adult male inmates aged 23-60 performing in an inmate-only

choir inside the correctional facility

● Experiment 2: Adult male inmates aged 23-60 performing in a joint

inmate/volunteer choir outside the correctional facility

Sample Size:

● Experiment 1: 20 (10 in choir and 10 in control)

● Experiment 2: 48

Data Type: Experimental, Quantitative: Friedman Well Being Scale (FWBS)

Evaluation Focus: The study asked: Are there differences in well-being

measurements between the TCIS and the control group before and after a choral

performance at the prison facility? Control and experimental groups were measured

pre and post participation in a choral singing group and a choral performance. The

Friedman Well-Being Scale (FWBS) measured composite well-being and five

subscales: (a) emotional stability, (b) sociability, (c)

joviality, (d) self-esteem, and (e) happiness (p. 55).

Summary of Impact: No significant differences between experimental and control groups

in composite well-being scores were found in either experiment. In addition, the author

found:

● Experiment 1: Tendency toward negative responses during containment; positive

choir-related responses at final two rehearsals; overall choral experience reflections

related to a sense of well-being.

● Experiment 2: Significant differences between experimental and control groups with

experimental group showing improvements on four subscales: emotional stability,

sociability, happiness and joviality.

KEYWORDS: adult, choir, emotional stability, happiness, joviality, music, self-esteem,
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singing, sociability, well-being

10. Cohen, M.L. (2012). ‘Safe Havens’: The Formation and Practice of

Prison Choirs in the US. In Cheliotis, L. K. (Ed.) The Arts of

Imprisonment: Control, Resistance and Empowerment. Surrey,

UK: Ashgate.

Author Affiliation: University of Iowa

Artforms: choir, music, singing

Program: NA

Program Description: Community member and prison choir

Program (Study) Location: Kansas, Ohio, Minnesota

Participant Type: Adult male inmates, volunteer choir conductors, audience members

Sample Size: 7 volunteer prison-choir conductors, 35 audience members, unspecified

number of male inmates.

Study Published: 2012

Data Type: Quantitative, Qualitative: Multiple case studies using open-ended

questionnaires completed by seven prison choir conductors; observations of

rehearsals and performances; informal interviews with inmates; data from an online

survey completed by 35 audience members; field notes, and researcher reflections.

Open coding, axial coding, and selective coding were used to analyze data.

Evaluation Focus: Perceived impact of five U.S. male prison choirs

Summary of Impact: In addition to developing choral singing skills such as body alignment,

breath management, tonal placement and diction, the choral experiences provided a means

for inmates to develop self esteem, promote positive social interactions, and increase sense

of group responsibility.

KEYWORDS: adult, choir, group responsibility, music, self-esteem, singing, social

interactions

11. Cohen, M.L. ( 2007). Explorations of inmate and volunteer choral

experiences among a prison-based choir. Australian Journal of

Music Education, 1, 61-72.

Author Affiliation: University of Iowa

Artforms: Choir, music, singing

Program: NA

Program Description: Community member and prison choir

Program (Study) Location: Minimum-security state prison, Midwest U.S.

Study Published: 2007

Participant Type: Adult male inmates aged 21-53, adult volunteers aged 35-82

Sample Size: 44 (20 inmates and 24 volunteers)

Data Type:
19

● Quantitative: Survey instrument consisting of: (a) demographic questions;

(b) seven Likert-scale items on perception of intonation, sense of

accomplishment, choir participation upon release, self-reflection; (c) four

open-ended items about participants’ most positive and negative experiences

and their reasons for joining; and (d) any further comments

● Qualitative: Interviews with 29 participants (17 inmates and 12 volunteers),

participant observations, field notes

Evaluation Focus: Participants’ experiences in a joint inmate-community volunteer

choir

Summary of Impact:

● Quantitative: Both inmates and volunteers indicated that their participation

afforded: “(a) means to a peak experience with momentary disappearance of

stresses and (b) a sense of accomplishment. Inmates perceived more improvement

in intrapersonal skills than volunteers while volunteers reported more success in

identifying out-of-tune singing than inmates” (p. 61).

● Qualitative: “Choral music education experiences, approached more comprehensively

than simply promoting interaction between individual singers and a musical score,

may carry potential for transformative personal and interpersonal change in prison

choir contexts” (p. 61).

KEYWORDS: adult, choir, intrapersonal skills, music, sense of accomplishment, singing,

stress

12. Cohen, M.L. (2012) Harmony within the walls: Perceptions of

worthiness and competence in a community prison choir.

International Journal of Music Education, 30(1), 46-55.

Author Affiliation: University of Iowa

Artforms: Choir, music, singing

Program: Community Member and Prison Choir

Program Description: Joint inmate-community volunteer choir at a medium-security

prison. Choir program met for twelve consecutive weeks and concluded with two

community-prison performances in the prison gymnasium.

Program (Study) Location: Medium-security state prison, Midwest U.S.

Study Published: 2012

Participant Type: Adult male inmates aged 20-70, community singers aged 20-64

Sample Size: 44 (22 inmates and 22 community members)

Data Type: Mixed Method. Quantitative (Attitudes Toward Prisons Scale); and

Qualitative (Open-ended questionnaire)

Evaluation Focus: This study measured changes in community singers’ attitudes

toward inmates, and documented changes in inmate singers’ perceptions of their

social competence (p. 46). Changes in community singers’ attitudes toward inmates,

and changes in prison singers’ perceptions of their social competence were

measured using the Attitudes Towards Prisoners Scale (ATPS) in pre and post

participation measurements.
20

Summary of Impact: The pre and post measurements of the community singers' attitudes

towards inmates showed significant improvement. The data indicates that participation in

the choir had a positive impact on the community members’ attitude toward the inmates,

changing previously held stereotypes. Open-ended responses from inmates revealed they

felt respected, made friends, increased connections outside the prison, and improved family

relationships. Among significant variations between participant responses: (a) inmates

perceived more improvement in intrapersonal skills than volunteers and (b) volunteers

reported more success in identifying out of tune singing than inmates.

KEYWORDS: adult, choir, music, relationships, respect, self-esteem, self-gratification,

singing, social competence

13. Dunphy, K. (1999). A creative arts performance program for

incarcerated women: The arts of transforming shame. The Arts

in Psychotherapy, 26(1), 35-43.

Author Affiliation: Community arts dance specialist, Melbourne, Australia

Artforms: Movement, writing, and visual arts

Program: Keeping the Faith - The Prison Project

Program Description: Keeping the Faith, a program of the Pat Graney Company, is a

multi-arts performance program consisting of sessions in dance, creative writing,

singing and visual arts: “The Prison Project is an arts-based educational residency

program designed to enable incarcerated women and girls to discover a sense of

identity and to develop that identity within the context of community—through the

vehicles of performance, video documentation and a published anthology of their

writings. The Pat Graney Company has conducted this three-month program of

movement, writing, and visual art in Washington State Corrections Centers for the

past 15 years” (http://www.patgraney.org/education.html). Each workshop lasts

three months (meeting twice a week) and culminates in a series of performances

open to prison inmates, staff, families and selected visitors.

Program (Study) Location: Washington Corrections Center for Women, Gig Harbor,

Washington

Participant Type: Adult female inmates aged 15 to 40.

Sample Size: NA

Study Published: 1999

Data Type: Qualitative/interpretive inquiry: Interviews conducted with program

director, staff and participants; questionnaires administered to inmates and staff;

participant observation; analysis of inmates’ creative writing

Evaluation Focus: The study focused on examining the benefits of participation in

the program for inmates, artist facilitators, and staff, particularly in self-esteem,

positive and creative life skills, and in the meaning of dance involvement.

Summary of Impact: Inmate participants self-reported increased self-esteem as a result

of mastery of new skills. Other benefits reported were bonding with others, shared

meaningful experiences, and deepened friendships. Improved skills in conflict resolution,
21

bonding, trust, and intimacy were reported by inmates and corroborated by staff. Staff

also reported an increase in group collaboration. The program provided positive links with

the outside world, including, family and friends. Improvements benefited individuals, general

prison population as well as the wider community.

KEYWORDS: adult, creative writing, dance, Keeping the Faith, music, self esteem, singing,

visual arts

14. Gussak, D. (2004). Art therapy with prison inmates: A pilot study.

The Arts in Psychotherapy, 31(4), 245-259.

Author Affiliation: Florida State University

Artforms: Art therapy, drawing, visual arts

Program: NA

Program Description: A four-week pilot program during which inmates met twice a

week in group art therapy sessions.

Program (Study) Location: Medium to maximum security correctional institution,

Florida

Study Published: 2004

Participant Type: Adult male inmates aged 21-63

Sample Size: 39

Data Type: Quantitative, case studies: Quasi-experimental, pre- and post-survey

by mental-health counselors; standardized art therapy assessment using the

Format Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS).

Evaluation Focus: Changes in inmate behavior and attitude including improvement in

mood, socialization and problem-solving abilities; inmates’ interactions and

compliance with prison rules and expectations

Summary of Impact: Improvements in attitude, mood, compliance with staff and rules and

socialization skills were noted as well as a decrease in depressive symptoms. No

improvement was indicated in problem-solving skills.

KEYWORDS: adult, art therapy, attitude, behavior, compliance, depression, drawing,

mood, problem-solving, socialization, visual arts

15. Gussak, D. (2009). Comparing the Effectiveness of art therapy in

depression and locus of control of male and female inmates, The

Arts in Psychotherapy. 36, 202-207.

Author Affiliation: The Florida State University

Artforms: Art therapy, drawing, visual arts

Program: NA

Program Description: Visual art therapy program

Program (Study) Location: Two medium- to maximum-security adult correctional

facilities, Florida
22

Study Published: 2009

Participant Type: Male and female adult inmates, aged 20-51

Sample Size: 147 female, 72 male

Data Type: Qualitative, Quantitative: Control group pre and post-test design;

psychological assessments using The Beck Inventory-Short form (BDI-II) and Adult

Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale (ANS)

Evaluation Focus: The study evaluated changes in mood and locus of control among

both male and female inmates who participated in the arts program. It also looked at

differences in outcomes between male and female participants.

Summary of Impact: Both male and female participants showed improvements in mood and

locus of control. The data indicated a trend towards greater improvement in mood and

internal locus of control for female inmates as a result of the participation in the visual art

therapy program (p. 202).

KEYWORDS: adult, art therapy, depression, drawing, locus of control, mood, visual arts

16. Gussak, D. (2007) The Effectiveness of Art Therapy in Reducing

Depression in Prison Populations. International Journal of

Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 51(4), 444-60.

Author Affiliations: Florida State University

Artforms: Art therapy, drawing, visual arts

Program: NA

Program Description: A four-week pilot program during which inmates met twice a

week in group art therapy sessions.

Program (Study) Location: Medium to maximum security adult male prison, Florida

Study Published: 2008

Participant Type: Adult male inmates, aged 21-63

Sample Size: Unspecified number of male adult inmates

Data Type: Quantitative, Qualitative: Control group pre-test/post-test assessments

using Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS), Beck Depression Inventory-Short

Form (BDI-II) and Adult Nowicki Strickland Locus of Control Scale (ANS)

Evaluation Focus: The study evaluated changes in mood and locus of control among

inmates.

Summary of Impact: This study combined data from two earlier studies by the same

author: “Art therapy with prison inmates: A pilot study,” 2004; and “The effects of art

therapy with prison inmates: A follow-up study,” 2006, where were published in The Arts in

Psychotherapy. The author concludes that while FEATS was more effective as a

measurement tool in the pilot study than in the follow-up study, “ultimately, the results

reflected a significant decrease in depressive symptoms in those inmates who participated

in the program” (p. 444).

KEYWORDS: adult, art therapy, depression, drawing, locus of control, mood, visual arts
23

17. Gussak, D. (2009) The effects of art therapy on male, female

inmates: advancing the research base. The Arts in

Psychotherapy, 36(1), p. 5-12.

Author Affiliations: Florida State University

Artforms: Art therapy, drawing, visual arts

Program: NA

Program Description: Visual art therapy program

Program (Study) Location: Two medium to maximum security adult correctional

facilities, one female and one male, Florida

Study Published: 2008

Participant Type: Adult male and female inmates, aged 20-51

Sample Size: Unspecified number of adult male and female inmates

Data Type: Quantitative, Qualitative: Control group pre-test/post-test assessments

using Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS), Beck Depression Inventory-Short

Form (BDI-II) and Adult Nowicki Strickland Locus of Control Scale (ANS)

Evaluation Focus: The study evaluated changes in mood and locus of control among

both male and female inmates

Summary of Impact: Results from FEATS did not yield supportive data; results of BDI-II

and ANS supported the hypothesis that art therapy was effective in reducing depression

and improving locus of control in the adult male and female inmates.

KEYWORDS: adult, art therapy, depression, drawing, locus of control, mood, visual arts

18. Gussak, D. (2006). The effects of art therapy with prison

inmates: A follow-up study. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 33,

188-198.

Author Affiliation: Florida State University

Artforms: Art therapy, drawing, visual arts

Program: NA

Program Description: Visual art therapy program

Program (Study) Location: Medium to maximum security correctional facility, Florida

Study Published: 2006

Participant Type: Adult male inmates aged 21-59

Sample Size: 16

Data Type: Qualitative, Case Study: Pre- and post-survey assessments by mental

health counselors; standardized art therapy assessment using the Formal Elements

Art Therapy Scale (FEATS), and psychological assessment using the Beck

Depression Inventory-Short Form (BDI-II). Volunteers were randomly assigned to

either the control group or the experimental group. The control group received no

art therapy sessions. The experimental group attended group art therapy sessions
24

over an eight-week period.

Evaluation Focus: Changes in inmate behavior and attitude, including changes in

mood, socialization and problem-solving abilities; inmates’ interactions and

compliance with prison rules and expectations.

Summary of Impact: Results from the different assessment instruments were mixed. There

was a marked improvement in mood as measured by BDI-II, but not as measured by FEATS.

No changes in socialization or problem-solving abilities were indicated.

KEYWORDS: adult, art therapy, attitude, behavior, compliance, depression, drawing,

mood, problem-solving, socialization

19. Halperin, R., Kessler, S. & Braunschweiger, D. (April 2012).

Rehabilitation Through the Arts: Impact on Participants'

Engagement in Educational Programs. The Journal of

Correctional Education, 63(1), 6-23.

Author Affiliations: Department of Psychology, Purchase College, SUNY

Artforms: Drama, theater

Program: Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA)

Program Description: RTA was founded in 1996 at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in

New York State and now operates programs in theater, dance, creative writing,

voice and visual arts in five New York State correctional facilities. In addition to

developing inmates' reading, writing, and leadership skills, RTA claims that

participants benefit by being part of a social network (p.10). Since its inception,

over 200 inmates have participated in RTA's Sing Sing program.

Program (Study) Location: Sing Sing Correctional Facility, Ossining, New York

Study Published: 2012

Participant Type: Adult male inmates

Sample Size: 116 RTA participants, 118 controls

Data Type: Quantitative: Comparison (RTA participants) and control group data:

entry date, birth date, race, crime category, educational degree at entry, first and

second math and reading scores, and educational degrees earned during

imprisonment, and enrollment in various educational programs over time.

Evaluation Focus: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of RTA on

inmate participation in voluntary educational programs, and academic degree

completion.. RTA participants were compared to a sample of incarcerated men

matched on age, ethnicity, crime, date of entry Into prison, time served, and

earliest release date.

Summary of Impact: The study found that arts programs may motivate those with long

sentences to pursue educational degrees. Specifically, based on the experimental and

control group findings:

● 57.6% of those who participated in RTA program earned degrees beyond the GED

while incarcerated, compared with 28.6% and 39.6% in control groups (p. 14).

● RTA participants spent about the same proportion of time engaged in GED programs
25

as comparisons, but less time after joining RTA (due to degree attainment) (p. 15).

● RTA participants who were incarcerated with a high-school diploma spent

proportionally more time engaged in college programs, but only after joining RTA,

versus the comparison group (p. 15).

KEYWORDS: academic, adult, college, drama, education, GED, Rehabilitation Through the

Arts, theater

20. Hart, S. (Ed.). (1983). The arts in prison. New York: Center for

Advanced Study in Theater Arts, The City University.

Author Affiliation: Center for Advanced Study in Theatre Arts, Graduate School of

the City University of New York

Artforms: Dance, drama, jewelry and miscellaneous arts and crafts, film, music,

painting, sculpture, theater, video, writing

Program: The Theater in Prisons Project (TTIPP)

Program Description: From its inception in 1980, TTIPP worked to develop a

comprehensive archive concerning arts programs and artist practitioners working

with prison inmates and ex-inmates (p. 36). This study was designed to be the first

of its kind to provide evidence of the impact of the arts in corrections.

Program (Study) Location: All U.S. states, except Colorado, Delaware, Florida,

Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Massachusetts, Ohio, West Virginia, and the Commonwealth

Puerto Rico

Study Published: 1983

Participant Type: State and local correctional departments, individual correctional

institutions

Sample Size: 88 institutions

Data Type: Survey

Evaluation Focus: Survey questions were designed to establish how much art and

what type - specifically theater - was available through performances, workshops

and residencies in institutions across the U.S. Questions related to the following

areas of inquiry: (1)What programs are available, how did they develop, and how

supported; (2) In what ways do the programs continue with the inmate-participant

after he or she leaves the prison; and, (3) Are arts programs in correctional facilities

perceived as beneficial. The report provides detailed data from survey results from

each participating state and agency, including history of programs, funding, types of

activities, and attitude towards the arts (p. 23-24).

Summary of Impact:

● Virtually all respondents viewed the arts programs positively, reporting that they

reduced tension within the institution, enhanced interpersonal and vocational skills

for inmate and ex-inmate participants and strengthened the participants’

self-confidence and expanded their range of options in dealing with their world, both

inside the institution and after release.

● Evidence of types of arts programs within correctional institutions included: dance,

drama, jewelry and miscellaneous arts and crafts, film, music, painting, sculpture,
26

theater, video and writing.

● Fewer than 10 respondents knew whether inmates continued with arts programs

after release.

KEYWORDS: adult, crafts, dance, film, interpersonal skills, jewelry, music, painting,

sculpture, self-confidence, tension, theater, The Theater in Prisons Project, video,

vocational skills, writing

21. Hassett, R. (n.d.). Lynn-Lowell Statistics: 1992 through March

2002. Changing Lives Through Literature. Retrieved from

http://cltl.umassd.edu/home-flash.cfm

Author Affiliation: Assistant Chief Probation Officer, Lowell District Court,

Massachusetts

Artforms: Bibliotherapy, literature

Program: Changing Lives Through Literature (CLTL), Lynn-Lowell Women’s Program

Program Description: The Lynn-Lowell program, established in 1992, was the first

CLTL program for female offenders. Two programs are run per year. Groups meet

every other week for 14 weeks (seven sessions) at Middlesex Community College in

Lowell, Massachusetts. (http://cltl.umassd.edu/home-flash.cfm)

Program (Study) Location: Lowell and Lynn, Massachusetts

Participant Type: Adult female probationers aged 19-48 years

Sample Size: 108

Study Published: Unpublished study, data collected 1992 through March 2002

Data Type: Quantitative

Evaluation Focus: Recidivism, criminal activity

Summary of Impact:

● Reduced recidivism among CLTL participants: 40% of program graduates re-offended

versus 48% of non-completers.

● Types of crimes differed between graduates and non-graduates:

○ 29.6% of new offenses committed by graduates were against people, versus

37.5% among non-graduates.

○ 25.9% of new crimes committed by graduates were property offenses,

versus 43.75% among non-graduates.

○ 62.9% of graduates violated alcohol/drug laws versus 62% of non-graduates.

○ 44.4% of new crimes among graduates were misdemeanors vs 37.5% among

non-graduates.

KEYWORDS: adult, bibliotherapy, Changing Lives Through Literature, criminal activity,

literature, recidivism

22. Jarjoura, R. G., & Krumholz, S. T. (1998). Combining

Bibliotherapy and Positive Role Modeling as an Alternative to
27

Incarceration. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 28 (1/2),

127-139.

Author Affiliations: Indiana University (Jarjoura); University of Massachusetts,

Dartmouth (Krumholz)

Artforms: Bibliotherapy, literature

Program: Changing Lives Through Literature (CLTL), University of Massachusetts at

Dartmouth

Program Description: CLTL provides an alternative to incarceration for repeat,

high-risk offenders and “seeks to build self-esteem by enhancing participants'

communication skills, sharpening their analytical skills and providing them with a

forum for discussing personal concerns without having to recount personal

experiences

(http://cltl.umassd.edu/programsresults1a.cfm). Participants selected by the court

receive intensive probation, pre-employment/job placement services and meet every

other week on a university campus to discuss contemporary literature. The readings

and the discussions mirror themes the participants may be dealing with in their own

lives, such as violence, masculinity and individual identity. At the conclusion of the

bibliotherapeutic portion of the program, local businessmen meet with participants to

share their own life experiences and stories of success.

Program (Study) Location: Southeastern Massachusetts

Study Published: 1998

Participant Type: Male adult high-risk probationers

Sample Size: 72 (32 participants, 40 control)

Data Type: Quantitative, Qualitative: Analysis of criminal records

Evaluation Focus: Recidivism, individual growth, self-esteem

Summary of Impact:

● Reconviction rate of 18.75% in study group compared with 45% in control group.

● Participants self-reported that the program had a long-term positive impact on their

lives.

KEYWORDS: adult, attitude, behavior, bibliotherapy, Changing Lives Through Literature,

communication, individual growth, literature, reading, recidivism, reconviction,

self-confidence, self-esteem, sense of accomplishment, tolerance

23. Kelly, W. R. (n.d.) An Evaluation of the Changing Lives Through

Literature Program. Submitted To: Dr. Lawrence Jablecki,

Director Brazoria County Community Supervision and

Corrections Department. Retrieved from:

http://cltl.umassd.edu/programsresults1.cfm

Author Affiliation: University of Texas

Artforms: Bibliotherapy, literature

Program: Brazoria County Community Supervision and Corrections Department
28

Changing Lives Through Literature (CLTL) Program,

Program Description: The CLTL program in Brazoria County, Texas was adapted from

the original Massachusetts program and “uses literature as a vehicle for cognitive

and behavioral change.” The Texas program lasts six weeks and consists of weekly,

two-hour meetings during which participants engage in facilitated discussion of a

reading assignment “focused on the development over time of cognitive skills such

as critical thinking and problem solving, as well as self examination, insight,

awareness, etc.” Meetings take place on the campus of a local community college.

Reading assignments differ by gender; males typically read philosophy such as Plato

and Socrates, and females read contemporary gender-targeted works such as Toni

Morrison and Zora Neale Hurston (http://cltl.umassd.edu/programsresults1d.cfm).

Program (Study) Location: Brazoria County, Texas

Participant Type: Probationers, Probation Officers, and Judges

Sample Size: 49 Probationers, 8 Probation Officers, 2 Judges

Study Published: n.d.

Data Type: Qualitative: focus groups

Evaluation Focus: Perceptions of CLTL program by former inmates focusing on how

CLTL changed or impacted their lives. For Probation Officers and Judges, the focus

of the evaluation was on the overall perception of the CLTL program.

Summary of Impact:

● Respondents’ rating of program and components of program on a 1 to 10 scale (1 =

poor, and 10 = excellent):

○ Overall Program: 9.4.

○ Assigned Readings: 8.5.

○ Class Discussions: 9.4.

○ Program Format (location/length): 9.0.

○ Participants: 8.9.

○ Instructor: 9.7.

● Participants reported:

○ Increased interest and motivation to read and learn.

○ Increased tolerance and self-esteem.

○ A sense of accomplishment.

○ Better control over impulsive behaviors.

○ Increased awareness and understanding of the consequences of their

behavior.

KEYWORDS: adult, behavior, bibliotherapy, Changing Lives Through Literature,

consequences, impulsive behavior, learning, literature, reading, self-esteem, sense of

accomplishment, tolerance

24. Melnick, M. (1984). Skills through drama: The use of professional

techniques in the treatment and education of prison and

ex-offender populations. Journal of Group Psychotherapy,

Psychodrama and Sociometry, 37, 104-117.
29

Author Affiliation: New York City-based private consultant at time of study,

presently at New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia University

Artforms: Drama, psychodrama, theater

Program: Skills through Drama

Program Description: The Skills through Drama program employed professional

theater techniques to teach reading, writing, grammar and communication skills.

Specifically, participants were instructed to:

● Create an improvisational set-up with a partner

● Act out the set-up

● Transcribe one’s own scene

● Edit the scene

● Help another student transcribe or edit

● View another student’s scene

Program (Study) Location: Adult Learning Center, Queens House of Detention

Location: Queens, New York

Study Published: 1984

Participant Type: Adult inmates and ex-offenders

Sample Size: 300+

Data Type: Quantitative

● Pre- and post-participation administration of California Achievement Test

● Enrollment rates between 1976 and 1976 Fiscal Years

● Recidivism rates of 1978-79 drama workshop participants seven months after

workshop

Evaluation Focus: Participation and effectiveness of the Skills through Drama

program related to basic educational skills and outcomes.

Summary of Impact:

● Number of students participating in GED program more than doubled (from 121

students in 1975 to 349 in 1976) while the total number of student hours spent in

the program increased from 22,880 hours in 1975 to 47,376 hours in 1976.

● 69% of participants stayed with the workshop even after it terminated its affiliation

with the Adult Learning Center.

● At the end of the seven months, 7.15% of participants had been convicted on a

first charge; 14.30% fled to avoid trial; 7.15% returned to jail on a second

post-workshop charge; 71.40% were regularly employed and not charged with a

second offense. This is compared with a national average of 85% of those released

from prison experiencing rearrest within a year, most of those within the first four

months of release.

KEYWORDS: academic achievement, adult, attendance, communication, drama,

employment, psychodrama, reading, recidivism, Skills through Drama, theater, writing

25. Moller, L. (2011). Project Slam: Rehabilitation through Theater at

Sing Sing Correctional Facility. The International Journal of the

Arts in Society, 5(5), 9-30.
30

Author Affiliation: John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, NY

Artforms: Drama, theater

Program: Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA).

Program Description: RTA conducts theater, dance, creative writing, voice and

visual art programs in five New York State prisons. The theater component consists

of two productions mounted each year, one original play written by an inmate and

one established play. Plays are performed for the inmate population as full-scale

productions complete with costumes, lighting, and set, with roughly 400 inmates in

attendance at each performance (p.14).

Program (Study) Location: Sing Sing Correctional Facility, Ossining, New York

Study Published: 2011

Participant Type: Adult male inmates

Sample Size: 65 (36 participants, 29 control)

Data Type: Quantitative: Coping Responses Inventory, Adult Form Manual, and the

State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory

Evaluation Focus: The study examined the impact of RTA on the attitudes and

behavior of inmate participants

Summary of Impact: Findings suggested that

● The longer the inmate was in the RTA program, the fewer violations he committed.

● RTA participation was associated with a significant decrease in frequency and

severity of infractions, as reflected in institutional records (p.23).

● RTA participants had security classifications lowered more often, and they

participated in more programs through the duration of the study.

● The amount of time inmates were active in RTA was correlated with both negative

and positive outcomes.

○ A longer period of participation predicted a higher level of social

responsibility.

○ Those who participated intensively in RTA had higher positive-coping scores

at both pre- and post-test points; however, the differences were not

statistically significant.

○ Increases in positive-coping scores approached significance for inmates who

participated less intensively in the program and for the control group

KEYWORDS: adult, anger, coping skills, disciplinary infractions, discipline, drama,

Rehabilitation Through the Arts, rules violations, social responsibility, theater, violence

26. Richards, J. M., Beal, W. E., Seagal, J. D., & Pennebaker, J.

(2000). Effects of Disclosure of Traumatic Events on Illness

Behavior Among Psychiatric Prison Inmates. Journal of

Abnormal Psychology, 109(1), 159-60.

Author Affiliations: Department of Psychology, Stanford University (Richards); Forest

Institute of Professional Psychology (Beal); Department of Psychology, University of

Texas at Austin (Seagal and Pennebaker)

Artforms: Creative writing

Program: Trauma Writing
31

Program Description: This study examined the effects of trauma writing on

maximum-security, psychiatric prison inmates. Maximum-security psychiatric

inmates, a group noted for high use of health services, were offered writing sessions

over the course of three days.

Program (Study) Location: Psychiatric correctional venue, Midwest U.S.

Study Published: 2009

Participant Type: Adult male maximum-security psychiatric inmates, 47% sex

offenders, 53% non-sex offenders, mean age 34.5 years

Sample Size: 98

Data Type: Quantitative; participants in the writing conditions completed a

Symptom and Emotion Self-Report Survey after each day's writing.

Study Design: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that “psychiatric

prison inmates who wrote about traumatic events for 3 consecutive days would

show a decrease in infirmary visits from 6 weeks pre- to 6 weeks postwriting; and

that participants who either wrote about trivial topics or did not write at all would

not evince such health improvement” (p.157). Participants were assigned to one of

three conditions. Those in the first group were asked to write about their deepest

thoughts and feelings surrounding upsetting experiences (trauma writing condition).

Those in the first control group (trivial writing control) were asked to write about an

assigned trivial topics. Participants in the second control group (no-writing control)

went about their daily routine without writing (no-writing control). Both writing

groups wrote for 20 minutes a day for three consecutive days.

Evaluation Focus: Health effects of writing for psychiatric prison inmates.

Summary of Impact: This study extends previous research on the health benefits

associated with writing about traumatic events to a psychiatric population of

maximum-security prison inmates (p. 159). Results of the study found that:

● Trauma-writing participants visited the infirmary less often after writing compared

with the two control groups.

● Those incarcerated for sex crimes were significantly more likely to show health

improvement after trauma writing than non-sex offenders.

● A decrease in infirmary visits pre-to post-writing.

KEYWORDS: adult, creative writing, emotions, health, psychiatric, sex offenders,

symptoms

27. St. Pierre, W. (n.d.). Changing Lives through Literature: New

Bedford Evaluation. Retrieved from:

http://cltl.umassd.edu/programsresults1.cfm

Author Affiliation: Probation Officer, New Bedford District Court

Artforms: Bibliotherapy, Literature

Program: New Bedford, Massachusetts Changing Lives Through Literature (CLTL)

Program Description: The New Bedford CLTC program has completed six cycles of

students since 2001. Seminars involve 8-10 weekly sessions each lasting two hours

and involving 6-10 single-gender students, most of whom are court-involved. Some
32

programs are with halfway houses. Texts include The House on Mango Street by

Sandra Cisneros and The Rules of the Road by Joan Bauer for girls and Brian’s Winter

by Gary Paulsen and The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien for boys. Seminars

usually end with a class project. See for example,

http://cltl.umassd.edu/programsother5d.cfm).

Program (Study) Location: New Bedford, Massachusetts

Study Published: n.d.

Participant Type: Adult male probationers

Sample Size: 68

Data Type: Quantitative: Analysis of criminal activity

Evaluation Focus: Misdemeanors, felonies, criminal activity

Summary of Impact: The analysis of 10 consecutive CLTL seminars that took place from

April 1991 through January 1995 found:

● Overall 68% decrease in criminal activity by probationers after completing the

program

● Reduction in number of felonies ranged from 70.8% to 100% depending on the

group.

● Reduction in the number of misdemeanors ranged from 24% to 100%.

KEYWORDS: adult, bibliotherapy, Changing Lives Through Literature, felonies, literature,

misdemeanors

28. Schutt, R., K., Deng, X.and Stoehr, T. (2013) Using Bibliotherapy

to Enhance Probation and Reduce Recidivism. Journal of

Offender Rehabilitation, 52, 181-197.

Author Affiliations: Department of Sociology, University of Massachusetts Boston

Artforms: Bibliotherapy, literature

Program: Changing Lives Through Literature (CLTL)

Program Description: CLTL provides an alternative to incarceration for repeat,

high-risk offenders and seeks to build self-esteem by “enhancing participants'

communication skills, sharpening their analytical skills and providing them with a

forum for discussing personal concerns without having to recount personal

experiences” (http://cltl.umassd.edu/programsresults1a.cfm). Participants selected

by the court receive intensive probation, pre-employment/job placement services

and meet every other week on a university campus to discuss contemporary

literature. The readings and the discussions mirror themes the participants may be

dealing with in their own lives, such as violence, masculinity and individual identity.

At the conclusion of the bibliotherapeutic portion of the program, local businessmen

meet with participants to share their own life experiences and stories of success.

Program (Study) Location: Massachusetts

Study Published: 2013

Participant Type: Adult male and female probationers, probation officers, instructors,

judges

Sample Size:
33

● Observation of program process: 28 program participants, 20 probation

officers, instructors and judges

● Impact analysis of program: 1,218 adult male and female probationers (604

participants, 604 controls)

Data Type: Quantitative, Qualitative

● Observation of program process, including: focus group, class observations,

semi-structured interviews, structured phone survey

● Impact analysis: recidivism data 18 months pre-program and 18 months

post-program for participants were compared with recidivism data for a group

of matched controls

Evaluation Focus: Impact of CLTL on participant recidivism

Summary of Impact:

● Observational study of program process: increased pride, self-esteem, social

relations, problem-solving, trust and sense of accomplishment; cognitive reframing

of issues

● Impact analysis: During the 18 months prior to CLTL participation, future program

participants had more incidents than controls but at 18 months after, the number of

incidents was significantly fewer for participants than for controls. Authors also

noted a decline in the most serious charge pre- to post-program. For both

measures, the amount of change was greater for the program participants than for

the control group

KEYWORDS: adult, bibliotherapy, Changing Lives Through Literature, cognitive reframing,

literature, pride, probation, problem-solving, recidivism, self-esteem, sense of

accomplishment, social relations, trust

29. Worrall J., & Koines, M. (1978). Project CULTURE. Alexandria, VA:

American Correctional Association.

Author Affiliations: American Correctional Association

Artforms: Arts and crafts, ceramics, chorus, clowning, creative writing, dance,

design, drama, drawing, drums, guitar, leather, macrame, movement, music, oil

painting, piano, sculpture, sketching, string art, theater, visual arts, weaving,

woodburning, wood-carving

Program: Project CULTURE

Program Description: Project CULTURE (Creative Use of Leisure Time Under

Restrictive Environments) was the first comprehensive national program of

leisure-time activities inside correctional facilities. Twenty-one projects were

implemented at 54 sites across the U.S. Four programs were included in the

evaluation:

● California Institution for Women at Fontera: A theater workshop provided by

the Los Angeles-based non-profit organization Artists in Prison and Other

Places, Inc. (AIPOP) included writing, dance and theater components and

culminated in an original theater piece created and performed inside the

institution before an audience of more than 1,000 community members. The
34

final production involved 28 inmates in varying capacities. Participants

received college credit in dance, creative Writing and theater production

through LaVerne College in LaVerne, California.

● The New Jersey Correctional Institution for Women program included creative

writing, dance, music/chorus, music/movement/theater, art program and a

clown workshop

● The Sheridan Correctional Center Project CULTURE program was operated by

Illinois Valley Community College (IVCC). A part-time arts-and-crafts

instructor taught fourteen six-week mini-courses focusing on nine media:

leather, oil painting, drawing and sketching, string art, macrame,

wood-carving, woodburning, weaving and ceramics. A part-time music

instructor taught four 10- or 11-week mini-courses including lessons on the

electric and acoustic guitar, drums and piano. Participants displayed their

arts-and-crafts projects

● Oklahoma Prison Arts Program: Three-month workshops were offered in

leather, writing, drawing, painting, design, sculpture, drama and opera.

Participants were involved in performances and exhibits.

Program (Study) Location: Evaluations were conducted at the following four

facilities:

● California Institution for Women at Fontera, (program administered by Artists

in Prison and Other Places, Inc.)

● New Jersey Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), Clinton, New Jersey

● Sheridan Correctional Center, Sheridan Illinois (program administered by

Illinois Valley Community College)

● Oklahoma Prison Arts Program in five state institutions: McAlester, Granite,

McLeod, Quachita and Strongtown (program administered by the Oklahoma

Arts and Humanities Council)

Study Published: 1978

Participant Type: Adult male and female inmates

Sample Size: 5000+

Data Type: Quantitative, Qualitative: Self-evaluations of individual projects

conducted by individual contractors; national evaluation conducted by an

independent evaluator; pre- and post-program incident rates; interviews with

inmates, artists and correctional officials

Study Design:

Evaluation Focus:

● California Institution for Women: discipline, commitment, creative

self-expression, self-worth and sense of accomplishment, cooperation

● New Jersey Correctional Institution for Women: self-worth, self-motivation,

release of emotions, positive peer group interaction, positive communication

between staff and offenders

● Sheridan Correctional Center: cognition, attendance, self-concept, project

completion, incident rates

● Oklahoma Prison Arts Program: Incident reports; self-respect, writing,

interpretation, vocabulary, listening, reasoning, communication and critical

analysis skills; self-respect

Summary of Impact:
35

● National Results:

○ 61.4% program completion rate (p. 6).

○ Only 16.8% of participants dropped out or were removed for poor behavior or

attendance (p. 6).

○ Reduced tension levels.

○ Incident rates reduced between 54% and 100% depending on the location

(p. 7).

○ Involvement of female offenders.

○ Greater community awareness of offenders.

○ Increased self-worth on part of participants.

● California Institution for Women:

○ Increased discipline, commitment, creative self-expression, self-worth and

sense of accomplishment.

○ Cooperation between artists and California Institute for Women staff.

● New Jersey Correctional Institution for Women

○ Increased self-worth and respect for others.

○ Negative feelings towards staff and community became positive.

○ Increased respect of correctional staff towards inmates.

○ No behavior problems during the workshops.

○ Incident reports of incorrigible inmates markedly decreased after enrollment.

● Sheridan Correctional Center:

○ Participants scored higher than anticipated on cognition tests.

■ Music students exceeded the objective of 80% by 2.2%, arts and

crafts students by 14% (p. 13).

○ 82% program completion rate (p. 13).

○ Improved self-concept as measured by skill acquisition, completion of

projects and statistically significant results on the Tennessee Self-Concept

inventory.

○ Arts projects were displayed through few were sold (because participants

wanted to keep them).

○ Individual educational plans for each student were developed.

○ Incident rates declined from 2.4 per year per inmate prior to Project CULTURE

to 1.2 per year (p. 13).

● Oklahoma Prison Arts Program:

○ Original program objectives achieved at 88% level (p. 15).

○ Drop in behavioral infractions in women’s unit from 90% to 57% during

program participation [as cited in Hillman, G. (Spring/Summer 1994).

Kerouac’s Town, Dickens and Prison Art. Texas Journal of Ideas, History and

Culture, 16(2), p. 27].

○ Development of skills including but not limited to writing, interpretation,

vocabulary, listening, reasoning, communication, critical analysis and

publishing processes.

○ Increased positive verbal interaction among class and staff.

○ Increase in participant self-respect and subsequent enhancement of general

institution atmosphere.

KEYWORDS: adult, arts and crafts, behavior, ceramics, chorus, clowning, commitment,

community, creative writing, dance, design, discipline, drama, drawing, drums, guitar,
36

incident rates, leather, macrame, movement, music, oil painting, piano, Project CULTURE,

sculpture, self-respect, self-worth, sense of achievement, sketching, string art, theater,

visual arts, weaving, woodburning, wood-carving

SECTION II:

JUVENILE OFFENDER ARTS PROGRAM:

EVIDENCE-BASED STUDIES & EVALUATIONS

30. Baker, S. and Homan, S. (2007). Rap, Recidivism and the Creative

Self: A Popular Music Programme for Young Offenders in

Detention. Journal of Youth Studies, 10, (4), 459-476.

Author Affiliations: University of Leeds, UK (Baker); Cultural Industries & Practices

Research Centre, University of Newcastle, Australia (Homan)

Artforms: Guitar, hip-hop, keyboard, music, rap, song-writing

Program: Genuine Voices

Program (Study) Location: Short-term (90-day) secure treatment center in

Massachusetts

Program Description: Genuine Voices conducts music programs for youth in juvenile

detention centers and other educational and institutional settings in the U.S. and

worldwide. Its mission is to prevent youth violence and crime and foster youths’

ability to plan and make “positive life decisions.” The juvenile offender program

consists of piano, guitar, rap and sequencing lessons, both group and individual,

twice weekly. Youths who have earned good-behavior privileges may volunteer to

participate in the program (p. 464).

Study Published: September 2007

Participant Type: Juvenile male offenders

Data Type: Qualitative: Ethnographic methodology including observation, interviews

and program evaluation.

Evaluation Focus: Benefits of popular music programs in fostering individual

creativity, self-esteem, identity and social communication

Summary of Impact: Researchers concluded that the program aided individual and

collective communication and community-building and improved participants’ organizational

skills, self-esteem, self-control, focus and sense of achievement. Participants produced a

CD recording at the end of the program.

KEYWORDS: communication, community, focus, hip-hop, identity, juvenile, music, rap,

self-control, self-esteem, sense of achievement, youth

31. Center for the Study of Art & Community. [n.d]. CORE Arts

Program Report: 1999-2007. Prepared for the Mississippi Arts
37

Commission by the Center for the Study of Art & Community.

Retrieved from

http://www.arts.ms.gov/programs/documents/coreartsrev.p

df

Author Affiliation: Center for the Study of Art and Community

Artforms: Biography, ceramics, collage, drawing, charcoal, furniture decoration,

instrument making, mask-making, metal sculpture, music, painting, papier-mache,

performance, poetry, watercolor, woodworking, writing

Program: CORE Arts Program, administered by Communities in Schools

Project (Study) Location: 25 sites (2 youth corrections facilities, 1 detention center,

8 adolescent offender programs, 7 alternative schools and 7 Boys & Girls Clubs) in

15 Mississippi counties

Program Description: CORE Arts provides ceramics, creative writing, music, visual

and other arts programs to Mississippi youth, both adjudicated and non-adjudicated,

in correctional settings, aftercare programs, and in alternative school settings. The

program focused on “educational enhancement and workforce training through

arts-based curricula” (p. 6). The CORE Arts initiative grew to include nearly 2500

students (2005-07) statewide, benefitting young people in communities throughout

Mississippi. The report documents the program’s development and summarizes

research studies conducted between 1999 and 2007.

Study Published: 2007

Participant Type: Youth 12-18 years who had committed status offenses; staff

members

Sample Size: 308 participants and 101 staff members

Data Type: Quantitative, Qualitative: interviews with program participants and

administrators, teachers, counselors and correctional officers; surveys, review of

reports, publications and documentary information from both the Mississippi Arts

Commission and program sites; data on academic and behavioral progress

Evaluation Focus: Program's impact on critical success indicators for both youth

justice/services and arts program providers. From 1999-2007, the program

evaluation addressed:

● What goals do the various partners and participants have for the CORE Arts

program?

● To what degree have these goals been achieved?

● What CORE Arts program characteristics (i.e. curriculum, staffing, and

program design) advanced or inhibited achievement of these goals?

● How can the Core Arts partners improve their efforts to evaluate the

accomplishment of these goals?

● How can the partners sustain the CORE Arts program beyond the initial

research development phase supported by the Mississippi Arts Commission?

Summary of Impact: Evaluations were conducted from 2002-2007, and included: tracking

impact on student, impact on staff, and the program characteristics that supported the

articulated outcomes. Results showed that youth participants showed a decrease in the

incidences of violence, and improvements in behavior. Participants demonstrated a
38

“connection between being in control of an artistic product and taking control over their

lives” (p. 6). The summary of the evaluations revealed the following additional impacts:

● 71% improvement in attendance (p. 18).

● 58% reduction in referrals for behavioral problems (p. 18).

● Counselor ratings were 5.07% higher than during the three prior months of regular

program offerings (p. 18).

● Positive correlation between time spent in program and improved attitudes and

behavior.

● Improved overall academic performance.

● 15% improvement in grade average compared with pre-program performance (p. 19)

● Improved writing scores.

● Improved reading skills:

○ 83% of students at one site improved their reading skills by at least one

grade level.

○ 50% at this site improved their reading skills by two-to-four grade levels (p.

19).

● Improved English grades:

○ 75% of students at one site improved grades by at least one letter grade,

significantly more than the control group which did not receive creative

writing (p. 19).

● Enhanced self-control and cooperation.

● Decreased violent behavior and idle time.

● Reduced tensions between students and staff.

● Improved communication, planning and cooperation between staff members.

● 86% of participating artists reported positive impact on them and their work.

● Improved program work environments.

● Staff viewed youth more positively.

● Reduced tension for both staff and participants.

● Opportunities for positive staff/student interaction.

KEYWORDS: academic performance, attendance, attitude, behavior, biography, ceramics,

collage, CORE Arts, drawing, charcoal, furniture decoration, instrument making, juvenile,

mask-making, metal sculpture, music, painting, papier-mache, performance, poetry,

self-control, self-esteem, violence, watercolor, woodworking, writing, youth

32. Clawson, H. and Coolbaugh, K,. (2001). YouthARTS Development

Project Program Evaluation. U.S. Department of Justice Office of

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Programs: Juvenile Justice

Bulletin. May 2001. Retrieved from

https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/186668.pdf

Author Affiliations: Caliber Associates, Fairfax, VA

Artforms: The project’s three sites included:

● Atlanta: ceramics, computer graphics, drama, furniture design and
39

application, mosaics, photography

● Portland: drama, photography, poetry, printmaking, videography

● San Antonio: creative writing, dance, drama, storytelling, visual arts

Program: YouthARTS Development Project

Program Description:

● Atlanta: Art-at-Work provided one group of truant youth aged 14 to 16 with

art instruction, job training, and literacy education over a 2-year period.

● Portland: youth produced and administered a public arts project from design

to production and public exhibition.

● San Antonio: after-school arts education program for youth at 7 schools.

Program (Study) Location:

● Atlanta, Georgia: Art-at-Work/Fulton County Arts Council

● Portland, Oregon: Youth Arts Public Art/Regional Arts and Culture Council

● San Antonio, Texas: Urban smARTS/San Antonio Department of Arts and

Cultural Affairs

Study Published: May 2001

Participant Type:

● Atlanta: truant youth first-time offenders aged 14-16 referred by probation

officers

● Portland: adjudicated youth (excluding sex-offenders) aged 14-16 referred

by probation officers

● San Antonio: non adjudicated, at-risk youth aged 10-12 referred by

teachers, principals and self-referrals

Sample Size:

● Atlanta: 15 participants per program period; 7 in participant group and 10 in

control group completed evaluation

● Portland: 15 youth per unit per session; findings provided for 21

● San Antonio: 60 youth at each of 7 schools; five schools participated in

evaluation, complete data available for 22-112 participants

Data Type: Qualitative: Cross-site evaluation using participant and probation

officer/caseworker feedback, skill assessment instruments, focus group interviews,

academic data, court data. Data collected pre- and post-program on participants

and control group.

Evaluation Focus:

● Outcome component of evaluation assessed program effects on art

knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of participants

● Process component looked at program implementation and operations

Summary of Impact: Separate evaluations were completed at each of the three

sites:

● Atlanta:

○ 85.7% of youth were communicating effectively with peers at the end of the

program, up from 28.6% at the beginning of the program.

○ Program participants had, on average, fewer court referrals during the

program period than the non-arts comparison group (1.3 and 2.0

respectively). This despite the fact that arts program participants had, on

average more court referrals than the comparison group at the start of the

program (6.9 and 2.2 referrals, respectively).
40

○ 50% of program participants had committed new offenses during the program

period versus 78.6% in the control group.

● Portland:

○ 100% of program participants demonstrated an ability to cooperate with

others at the end of the 12-week program versus 43% at the start of the

program

○ 31.6% of program participants’ attitude towards school improved compared

with 7.7% in the comparison group.

○ 22% of program participants had a new court referral compared with 47% of

comparison group.

○ The level and type of offense committed during the program period were less

severe than prior offenses.

● San Antonio:

○ 85% of participants were able to work on tasks from start to finish at the

end of the program versus 72% at the beginning.

○ 82% demonstrated the skills necessary to produce quality artwork up from

65% at the start of the program.

○ 16.4% of the arts program participants had a decrease in delinquent behavior

compared with 3.4% of the control group.

KEYWORDS: ceramics, computer graphics, creative writing, dance, drama, entrepreneurial

skills, furniture design and application, juvenile, life skills, mosaics, photography, poetry,

printmaking, prosocial skills, storytelling, videography, visual arts, vocational skills, youth,

YouthARTS Development Project

33. Cleveland, W. (2001). An evaluation of the Jackson County

Children’s Services Coalition Core Arts Program 2001-2002.

Minneapolis, MN: Center for the Study of Art & Community.

Author Affiliation: Center for the Study of Art & Community

Artforms: Ceramics, creative writing, music, visual arts

Program: Jackson County Children’s Services Coalition, CORE Arts Program

Project (Study) Location: Detention center, public and private schools,

community-based organization, religious institution, recreation center, arts

organization, Jackson County, Mississippi

Project Description: CORE Arts provided ceramics, creative writing, music and

visual arts programs to Mississippi youth.

Participant Type: Youth offenders, middle- and high-school students

Sample Size: 89 program participants and 22 staff members

Study Published: 2001

Data Type: Quantitative, Qualitative: Non-experimental consisting of

Interviews/focus groups and survey/questionnaires with participants,

administrators, teachers, counselors and correctional officers; daily student

incident reports.

Evaluation Focus: Goals of participants and partners; extent to which goals had

been achieved; which program characteristics advanced or inhibited achievement
41

of goals

Summary of Impact:

● 15% improvement in participants’ grade averaged compared with pre-program

performance.

● Improvements in student behavior including cooperation and self-control.

● 58% reduction in behavior referrals compared to pre-program performance.

● Student interest in other programs.

● High student satisfaction with programs.

● Overall “positive impact” on students.

KEYWORDS: academic performance, behavior, ceramics, CORE Arts Program, creative

writing, juvenile, music, violence, visual arts, youth

34. Ezell, M., & Levy, M. (2003). An Evaluation of an Arts Program for

Incarcerated Juvenile Offenders. Journal of Correctional

Education, 54(3), 108-114.

Author Affiliations: Academic and Social Work Administration

Artforms: Cartoon art, collage, creative writing, drama, film, graphic design,

multimedia, murals, music, papier-mache, photography, poetry, television, visual

arts, wood sculpture

Program: A Changed World

Program Description: A Changed World (ACW) facilitates teaching and interaction

between artists and institutionalized juvenile offenders. The purpose of the program

is to reduce recidivism of juvenile offenders (p. 109). Major objectives include: I) to

inculcate cultural and community awareness: 2) to lessen the risks of inappropriate

behavior within the institutional environment: 3) to develop vocational and academic

skills that will motivate and assist the student with the search for

employment/career; and 4) to reduce the likelihood to reoffend after release

(p.109-110). Artists conduct workshops ranging from two weeks to two months.

During the first and second evaluation years (1996 and 1997), participants created

a touring multimedia exhibit that included curriculum materials for use by teachers

and counselors. During the third year of the evaluation (1998), participants

produced a film for television.

Program (Study) Location: Juvenile correctional facilities, Washington State

Study Published: 2003

Participant Type: Institutionalized juvenile offenders

Sample Size:

● First Year Evaluation (1996): 86

● Second Year Evaluation (1997): 57

● Third Year Evaluation (1998): 41

Data Type: Mixed Method: Quantitative and Qualitative

● First Year Evaluation: Youth self-reports and staff reports using a pre- and

post-test multi-item scale design to measure changes in self-esteem. peer

relations, cultural awareness, and community identity.
42

● Second and Third Year Evaluations: open-ended survey of participants;

teacher assessments; artist observations; staff reports on misbehavior;

court records.

Evaluation Focus: The evaluation sought to examine the potential of the arts to

impact youth behavior during incarceration and after release. The evaluation asked:

“1. Do students learn new academic and vocational skills from the art workshops? 2.

Does institutional behavior of program participants improve during their workshops?

3. How does the recidivism rate of program participants compare to nonparticipants

(p.110)?

Summary of Impact:

● First-Year Findings:

○ No statistically significant change in youth’s self-esteem, peer relations or

cultural awareness during the two weeks duration of the program.

○ Ability to differentiate between life in and out of an institution improved in

31.7% of participants.

○ Moderate or substantial progress on all learning goals, especially academic

goals including increases in 86 different academic skills.

● Second and Third Year Findings:

○ Artists perceived that almost all of youth had accomplished almost all of their

goals.

○ 61.3% of youth said they learned concrete vocational skills.

○ 70.3% reported positive feelings about their projects.

○ 17.6% had feelings of accomplishment.

○ 63% reduction in behavioral incidents pre-workshops versus during

workshops

○ Of 24 youth followed for recidivism, 16.7% recidivated within six months

versus 32.9% for a control group of youth released in 1992.

KEYWORDS: academic, A Changed World, attitude, behavior, cartoon art, collaboration,

collage, community, confidence, creative writing, cultural awareness, drama, employment,

film, graphic design, identity, juvenile, misbehavior, multimedia, murals, music,

papier-mache, peer relations, photography, poetry, recidivism, rules violations, self-esteem,

skills development, television, visual arts, vocational skills, wood sculpture, youth

35. Kennedy, J. R. (2002). The Effects of Musical Performance,

Rational Emotive Therapy and Vicarious Experience on the

Self-Efficacy and Self-Esteem of Juvenile Delinquents and

Disadvantaged Children. In Deasy, Richard J., (Ed.), Critical

Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social

Development. Washington, DC: Arts Education Partnership, pp

119-120.

Author Affiliation: Department of Music and Dance, University of Kansas, Lawrence

Artforms: Guitar, music

Program: Doctoral Dissertation
43

Program Description: Students were divided into five groups. All received 30-minute

weekly guitar instruction and all but the control group also received 30 minutes of

additional instruction, depending on the group. The groups were:

● The Performance Only group received 30 minutes of instruction performance

etiquette, strategies for achieving peak performance, memorization and

musical expression then gave solo performances to their peers.

● The Performance/Cognitive Strategy group received 30 minutes of cognitive

instruction (instruction in mental strategies for performing) and musical

performance instruction (how to deal with performance anxiety) then gave

solo performances to their peers.

● The Cognitive Strategy group received 30 minutes of the same cognitive

instruction as the Performance/Cognitive group but were given no chance to

rehearse these techniques or give solo performances.

● The Vicarious Experience group received 30 minutes of watching

performances followed by discussion of successful and failed performances.

● The Control group received no arts instruction.

Program (Study) Location: Residential homes and juvenile detention centers

Study Published: April 2002

Participant Type: Male juvenile offenders 8-19 years

Sample Size: 45

Data Type: Quantitative: Pre- and post-test using scales of self-esteem using

Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, and musical self-efficacy (how confident participants

felt about their musical ability)

Evaluation Focus: Effects of musical training and performance on self-efficacy and

self-esteem of participants

Summary of Impact: Scores in Performance and Performance/Cognitive groups improved

significantly. “The study demonstrated that guitar training coupled with repeated

performance experiences improves both musical self-efficacy and self-esteem of these

youth” (p. 119).

Musical performance and musical performance coupled with cognitive strategies improve

self-efficacy in at-risk youth. The study further suggests that “music training improves self

esteem because the opportunity to perform helps youth overcome fears and helps them

see that they can succeed” (p. 119).

KEYWORDS: guitar, juvenile, music, self-efficacy, self-esteem, youth

36. Lauby, J. L., LaPollo, A. B., Herbst, J. H., Painter, T. M., Batson,

H., Pierre, A. & Milnamow, M. (October 2010). Preventing AIDS

through Live Movement and Sound: Efficacy of a Theater-Based

HIV Prevention Intervention Delivered to High-Risk Male

Adolescents in Juvenile Justice Settings. AIDS Education and

Prevention, 22(5), 402–416.

Author Affiliations: Public Health Management Corporation, Philadelphia (Lauby,
44

LaPolllo, Batson, Pierre, Milnamow); Prevention Research Branch, Division of

HIV/AIDS Prevention, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta

(Herbst, Painter)

Artforms: Movement, sound, theater

Program: Preventing AIDS through Live Movement and Sound (PALMS)

Program Description: PALMS is a theater-based HIV prevention intervention

designed for groups of 8 to 20 adolescents and led by a trained health educator.

Trained actors portray dramatic performances of real-life situations often faced by

adolescents and young adults. Games and role-playing exercises provide

opportunities for participants to learn and practice communication and condom-use

skills.

Program (Study) Location: Two juvenile justice facilities, Philadelphia, PA

Study Published: 2010

Participant Type: Institutionalized juvenile male offenders aged 12-18

Sample Size: 298

Data Type: Quantitative: nonrandomized concurrent comparison group design;

assessment data collected at baseline immediately after the intervention

Evaluation Focus: Effect of intervention on HIV and condom-use knowledge,

changes in attitude towards HIV testing and persons living with HIV/AIDS, changes

in condom use, changes in number of sexual partners (p. 404).

Summary of Impact: At 6-month follow-up, PALMS participants demonstrated greater

increases in HIV and condom use knowledge and improved attitudes toward HIV testing and

toward persons living with HIV/AIDS than did those in the comparison condition. PALMS

participants were also significantly more likely to use a condom during their last sexual

contact with a non-main female partner than comparison participants.

KEYWORDS: AIDS, condom use, drama, HIV, HIV testing, juvenile, movement, Preventing

AIDS through Live Movement and Sound, sound, theater, youth

37. Lazzari, M.M., Amundson, K.A., & Jackson, R.L. (2005). “We Are

More Than Jailbirds”: An Arts Program for Incarcerated Young

Women. Affilia: Journal of Women & Social Work, 20(Summer),

169-185.

Author Affiliations: Tacoma Social Work Program, University of Washington

Artforms: Painting, poetry, sculpture, writing

Program: NA

Program Description: Arts workshops culminating in works produced for museum

display

Program (Study) Location: Juvenile detention center, Western United States

Study Published: 2005

Participant Type: Juvenile female offenders aged 11-17

Sample Size: 31

Data Type: Qualitative: Semi-structured interviews with youth participants and

in-depth interview with teaching artist
45

Evaluation Focus: Social skills, violent behavior, self-identity

Summary of Impact: Improved relationship of participants to the artist, to other

participants, their artwork, their families and communities, and themselves; increased

empathy, caring, sense of community; shared responsibility; greater sense of self; reduced

violent behavior

KEYWORDS: behavior, caring, community, empathy, juvenile, painting, poetry,

relationships, sculpture, self-esteem, self-identity, social skills, violence, writing, youth

38. Lear, Tereze. (2010). Why Are We Doing Art: The Impact of

Sustained, Standards Based Art Instruction for Incarcerated

Youth. Unpublished master's thesis, California State University,

Sacramento.

Author Affiliation: California State University, Sacramento

Artforms: Visual arts

Program: Master’s thesis

Program Description: Teacher action research project for Masters of Art in

Education

Program (Study) Location: Three maximum-security juvenile housing units

Study Published: 2010

Participant Type: Incarcerated juvenile male offenders

Sample Size: 105

Data Type: Quantitative, Qualitative: Pre- and post-test reading scores, control

group, two housing units had sustained standards based visual art, one did not and

served as the control group.

Evaluation Focus: Impact of standards-based, sustained visual art instruction on

reading achievement in incarcerated youth

Summary of Impact: Participants in the sustained, standards-based visual art course

showed an average 11 months more growth comprehension than the control group (21

months versus 9 months, respectively)

KEYWORDS: art instruction, juvenile, reading comprehension, visual arts, youth

39. Maschi, T., Miller, J., Rowe, W., and Morgen, K. (2013). An

Evaluation of a Cultural Arts Program for Youth in a Juvenile

Justice Program: Technical Report. National Endowment for the

Arts working paper. Retrieved from

http://arts.gov/artistic-fields/research-analysis/research-artworks-grants-final-papers

Author Affiliations: Fordham University (Maschi); Community Research Center, Inc.
46

(Miller); University of South Florida (Rowe); Centenary College (Morgen)

Artforms: Media arts, music, performing arts, visual arts

Program: Prodigy Cultural Arts Program, University of South Florida

Program Description: The Prodigy Cultural Arts Program is a diversion program for

youth aged 7-17 who have been adjudicated in the juvenile justice system, offering

classes in the visual, performing, musical and media arts as an alternative to court.

Classes are taught by master artists. The program runs for eight weeks, with youth

attending three hours per week. Goals are to build pro-social skills and reduce

recidivism. Prodigy also has a prevention program geared to non-offending at-risk

youth in the community.

Program (Study) Location: 7 counties, West Central Florida

Study Published: December 2013

Participant Type: Adjudicated and at-risk youth aged 7-17

Sample Size: 85 (53 in the intervention group)

Data Type: Mixed Method: Structured interviews, classroom monitoring tool,

comparison group composed of students who had been suspended twice

participating in another program; pre- and post-test with standardized measures

assessing social skills, mental health, risk behavior, self-regulation skills

Evaluation Focus:

● Changes in mental health and social skills among youth who have

participated in the program versus those who have not

● Whether individual characteristics such as age, gender, race and ethnicity

are related to any changes in mental health symptoms and social skills

● What mental health variables and social skills are more and less likely to be

positively influenced by the art programming

Summary of Impact: Trends towards improvement (especially in females) but no

significant differences in pre and post-test between groups in social skills or mental health

improvement. The authors conclude that “a short term art program impact on social skills

and mental health is modest at best” (p. 31). They speculate findings may have been the

result of sample size and/or selection bias.

KEYWORDS: identity, juvenile, media arts, mental health, music, performing arts, Prodigy

Cultural Arts Program, risk behavior, self-regulation, social skills, visual arts, youth

40. Nelson, D. (1997). High-risk adolescent males, self-efficacy, and

choral performance: An investigation. Arizona State University,

Tempe, AZ.

Author Affiliation: Arizona State University

Artforms: Choirs, music, singing

Program: Doctoral dissertation

Program Description: Juvenile choir

Program (Study) Location: Adolescent residential treatment facility, Arizona

Study Published: 1997

Participant Type: Adjudicated males aged 11-17
47

Sample Size: 40 (21 in intervention group, 19 in control group)

Data Type: Qualitative: Bandura’s Social Learning Theory of Self-Efficacy, research

was augmented by the use of the Sherer and Maddux’s Self-Efficacy Scale

Evaluation Focus: Music as an affective intervention for high-risk adolescent males

Summary of Impact: The author stated that the choral program was found to be an

affective intervention for this population. Participants reported that performing in the choir

was a special experience, that moments in the choir were “wonderful, difficult to verbalize

and . . . deeply personal” (p. iv). They also reported that the relationships developed in

choir were different than those with other residents of the facility.

KEYWORDS: affect, choirs, juvenile, music, singing, youth

41. Oakey, M.K. (1980). Evaluation: Lorton Art Program, Inc.

Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice/National Criminal

Justice Reference Service. Retrieved from

https://href.li/?https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/

67588NCJRS.pdf

Author Affiliation: Office of Resource Management, District of Columbia Department

of Corrections

Artforms: Fine arts

Program: District of Columbia Department of Corrections

Program Description: The Lorton Art Program, Inc. is a comprehensive fine arts

program which uses art education and individual skills development to rehabilitate

participants. Classes are conducted four days a week for a minimum of two and

one-half hours per session at the Lorton minimum-security facility and youth

centers I and II.

Program (Study) Location: Lorton Correctional Facility, District of Columbia

Study Published: January 1980

Participant Type: Juvenile offenders (the program may have also included an adult

component)

Sample Size: 372

Data Type: Quantitative, Qualitative

Study Design: Data were obtained from the art director's files and her evaluation of

each student's performance, District of Columbia Department of Corrections records

(inmate characteristics, parole violations, and new convictions), results of an

institutional staff survey, and participant questionnaires.

Evaluation Focus: Recidivism, student characteristics, student program

performance, institutional staff opinions of the program, and student attitudes

toward the program

Summary of Impact:

● A comparison of program participants and nonparticipants provided no conclusive

evidence that participation in the arts program reduced recidivism (p. 29).
48

● After four months, a lower percentage of “failure” for program participants (30%).

released through a community correctional center, compared to nonparticipants

(41%).

● Evaluation of program by treatment and administrative staff was highly favorable,

(Executive Summary, no page number).

● Anonymous survey of participants showed less enthusiasm for the program but was

generally favorable (Executive Summary, no page number).

● The only measure for which a correlation could be established with performance on

parole was “student’s reaction to the program.” Degree of involvement, prior

training, interest level, progress achieved, and talent were not related to

post-release performance (Executive Summary, no page number).

● Authors concluded that the program was sufficiently effective for the Department of

Corrections to consider assuming all or a major portion of the program's funding.

KEYWORDS: fine arts, juvenile, The Lorton Art Program, Inc., parole, recidivism, youth

42. Rapp-Paglicci, L., Stewart, C., and Rowe, W. S. (Winter 2009).

Evaluating the Effects of the Prodigy Cultural Arts Program on

Symptoms of Mental Health Disorders in At-Risk and Adjudicated

Youths. Best Practices in Mental Health: An International

Journal, 5(1), 65-73.

Author Affiliations: School of Social Work, University of South Florida

Study Published: 2009

Artforms: Cultural arts, media arts, music, performing arts, visual arts

Program: Prodigy Cultural Arts Program

Program Description: The Prodigy Cultural Arts Program is a diversion program for

youth aged 7-17 who have been adjudicated in the juvenile justice system, offering

classes in the visual, performing, musical and media arts as an alternative to court.

Programs, taught by master artists, run for eight weeks, with youth attending three

hours per week. Goals are to build pro-social skills and reduce recidivism. Prodigy

also has a prevention program geared to non-offending at-risk youth in the

community.

Program (Study) Location: West Central Florida

Study Published: Winter 2009

Participant Type: Adjudicated male and female juvenile offenders 11-18 years

Sample Size: 337

Data Type: Quasi-experimental pre and post test using MAYSI-2 (Massachusetts

Youth Screening Instrument), Family Assessment Device to measure symptoms of

mental health disorders (subscales: anger/irritability, somatic complaints,

depression/anxiety, suicidal ideations, substance use), and Delinquency Index.

Evaluation Focus: Program’s effect on participants’ mental health-disorders

controlling for demographic factors

Summary of Impact:
49

● Significant decrease in symptoms of mental health disorders, notably

anger/irritability and anxiety/depression.

● Changes in somatic complaints, hypothesized to be related to mental-health issues

or stressful environmental conditions.

● Females, who tended to score higher pretest on depression/anxiety scores, may

have experienced a greater reduction in anxiety/depression symptoms than their

male counterparts.

KEYWORDS: cultural arts, delinquency, family functioning, identity, juvenile, media arts,

mental health, music, performing arts, Prodigy Cultural Arts Program, visual arts, youth

43. Ross, J. Art and Community: Creating Knowledge Through

Service in Dance. In Deasy, R. J. (Ed.), Critical Links: Learning

in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Development (p.

12). Washington, D.C.: Arts Education Partnership.

Author Affiliation: NA

Artforms: Dance

Program: NA

Program Description: Jazz and hip-hop dance classes

Program (Study) Location: NA

Study Presented: 2000

Participant Type: At-risk and Incarcerated adolescents aged 13-17

Sample Size: 60

Data Type: Qualitative: Teacher observation, interviews, reflection journals,

in-class discussions, written syntheses

Evaluation Focus: This study sought to address the following questions: How does

dance instruction affect self-perception and social development for at-risk and

incarcerated adolescents? How does participant/observation research by

undergraduates in a dance-centered service-learning project affect perceptions of

the purposes of arts generally and dance specifically in the undergraduates’ and

the lives of others? (p.12)

Summary of Impact: Produced hypotheses about why dance may be a medium particularly

well suited to “fostering positive self-perception and social development for disenfranchised

adolescents, including the influence of teachers and teaching styles generally employed in

dance; culturally valued leisure activities; the release of physical and psychological stress

in which “expression, not conquest” is the activity’s goal (in contrast to team sports); the

focus of instruction on practicing non-linguistic bodily expression, which is a primary vehicle

through which maladaptive social behaviors are conveyed; and the need and opportunity in

dance to express individuality within a group, which provides practice with issues central to

developing positive social identity and adaptability” (p.12).

● Dance may be a medium well suited to fostering positive self-perception and social

development for disenfranchised adolescents.

● Congruence of dance, service (providing data to prison administration about the

dance program’s effectiveness), and research (placing college dance students in a
50

social/therapeutic context and requiring reflection about impact and uses of the

discipline) is an effective tool for advancing college students’ learning.

KEYWORDS: dance, hip-hop, jazz, juvenile, service learning, youth

44. Smitherman, T. & Thompson, J. (June 2002). “Writing Our

Stories”: An Anti-Violence Creative Writing Program. The

Journal of Correctional Education, 53(2), 77-83.

Author Affiliations: Alabama Department of Youth Services School District

(Smitherman); Alabama Writers’ Forum, Inc. (Thompson)

Artforms: Creative writing, poetry, prose

Program: Writing Our Stories: An Anti-Violence Creative Writing Program

Program Description: Writers teach poetry and prose writing skills to incarcerated

youth in Alabama.

Program (Study) Location: Alabama

Study Published: 2002

Participant Type: Incarcerated juvenile offenders aged 12-18

Sample Size: unspecified number

Data Type: Qualitative: pre- and post-testing, anecdotal data

Evaluation Focus: Self-esteem, writing skills

Summary of Impact: Impact information was anecdotal only with inconsistent results

found on pre- and post-testing in different groups. Students submitted revised work for

inclusion in the school’s anthology. Anthologies were considered “outcomes in themselves”

(p. 79). As of Fall 2001, nine anthologies were in print from “Writing Our Stories” programs.

Juvenile court judges, social workers, therapists, psychologists and teachers have

responded positively to the anthologies.

KEYWORDS: creative writing, juvenile, poetry, prose, writing, Writing Our Stories, youth

45. Stewart, C., Rapp-Paglicci, L., and Rowe, W. (2009) Evaluating

the efficacy of the Prodigy prevention program across urban

and rural locales. Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, 26(1),

65-75.

Author Affiliations: University of South Florida School of Social Work

Artforms: Cultural arts, media arts, music, performing arts, visual arts

Program: Prodigy Cultural Arts Program

Program Description: The Prodigy Cultural Arts Program is a diversion program for

youth aged 10-17 who have been adjudicated in the juvenile justice system,

offering classes in the visual, performing, musical and media arts as an alternative to

court. Programs, taught by master artists, run for eight weeks, with youth attending
51

three hours per week. Goals are to build pro-social skills and reduce recidivism.

Prodigy also has a prevention program geared to non-offending at-risk youth in the

community.

Program (Study) Location: West Central Florida

Study Published: 2009

Participant Type: Adjudicated and at-risk youth aged 10-17

Sample Size: 350 adolescents and their parents

Data Type: Quantitative: Quasi-experimental pre- and post-test

Evaluation Focus: Mental health symptoms, delinquency, family functioning

Summary of Impact:

● Significant improvement in family functioning overall.

● Statistically significant changes in mental health symptoms including

depression/anxiety, somatic and suicidal symptoms for both males and females.

● Females seemed to especially benefit from the program.

KEYWORDS: cultural arts, delinquency, family functioning, identity, juvenile, media arts,

music, performing arts, Prodigy Cultural Arts Program, visual arts, youth

46. Warner, Susan (1999). Arts Programs for Incarcerated Youth: A

National and International Comparative Study. (Unpublished

master’s thesis). Antioch University, Seattle, WA.

Author Affiliation: Experimental Gallery, Seattle

Artforms: Collage, drama, photography, poetry, video

Program: Experimental Gallery is a partnership between the Children’s Museum

Seattle and the Department of Social and Health Services, Juvenile Rehabilitation

Administration

Program Description: Arts programs for adjudicated youth.

Project (Study) Location: While the program operates in six locations in Washington

State, the evaluation focused on three: Echo Glen Children’s Center, Maple Lane

and Green Hill juvenile facilities

Study Published: 1999

Participant Type: Juvenile female offenders (Echo Glen) and juvenile male offenders

(Maple Lane, Green Hill

Sample Size: unspecified number

Data Type: Qualitative: Observations, interviews, assessment forms from

participants and visiting artists

Evaluation Focus: Research question: How do arts based, community programs

educate and benefit incarcerated juvenile offenders?

Summary of Impact:

● Improved behavior within confining institution.

● Increased feelings of self-awareness or self-esteem.

● Improved vocational skills.
52

KEYWORDS: behavior, collage, drama, Experimental Gallery, juvenile, photography, poetry,

self-awareness, self-esteem, video, vocational skills, youth

47. Warner, S. (2000). Final Survey Report. In Hillman, G., Warner,

S. and Shute, J. (Eds.), Arts Programs for Juvenile Offenders

in Detention and Corrections: A Guide to Promising Practices,

(pp. 33-37). Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile Justice and

Delinquency Prevention and National Endowment for the Arts.

Author Affiliation: Experimental Gallery, Seattle

Artforms: Dance, drama, literary arts, multimedia, performing arts, visual arts

Program: NA

Program Description: Survey of juvenile-offender arts programs

Program (Study) Location: National U.S.

Study Published: 2002

Participant Type: Juvenile-offender arts programs

Sample Size: 120 surveys mailed out, 24 returned: 20% response rate

Data Type: Quantitative: Survey instrument

Evaluation Focus: Art disciplines utilized, number of youth involved, kinds of artists

employed, products generated, budgets, founding dates, challenges facing field,

impediments to growth

Summary of Impact: Evaluation focused on institutional characteristics and benefits

rather than benefits to offenders and found that:

● Most programs offered a multidisciplinary arts education model using a combination

of contracted professional artists, art teachers from the local school district and

volunteers.

● 43.2% of programs were founded in the 1990s.

● 3 programs had a history of 30 years or more.

● Slightly less than half the programs employed some kind of formal evaluation process

to measure success.

● 18 out of 23 programs requested technical assistance with the evaluation, making

evaluation the most requested service; fund-raising and curriculum and program

design were the next most requested; the lowest response for assistance was in

community relations.

● Evaluation was considered the weakest area for most programs.

● Slightly less than half the programs offered academic credit for their participants but

three programs had no means in place to measure the success of this provision.

● About half of programs had budgets of $100,000 and over and half less than

$50,000

16.8% received funding support from a correctional facility.

● Reports of numbers of youth served fluctuated between 3,000 — 12; actual

numbers of youth being served by all 24 programs could not be determined.
53

KEYWORDS: dance, drama, Experimental Gallery, juvenile, literary arts, multimedia,

performing arts, visual arts, youth

48. Williams, R. Marie-Crane. (June 2008). The Status and Praxis of

Arts Education and Juvenile Offenders in Correctional Facilities

in the United States. The Journal of Correctional Education, (59)

2, 107-126.

Author Affiliation: University of Iowa

Artforms: Dance, music, theater, visual arts

Program: NA

Program Description: NA

Program (Study) Location: U.S., and “Northeastern Training School (pseudonym)

Participant Type: Public residential juvenile correctional facilities

Sample Size: 175 respondents

Study Published: June 2008

Data Type: Quantitative and Qualitative: survey, interviews, case study; survey

sent to all (478) public residential juvenile correctional facilities in U.S.

Evaluation Focus: Summarized the results of a national study conducted in 2001

sponsored by the National Art Education Association, which explored the

intersection of arts education and corrections in residential detention facilities for

juvenile offenders. Research questions were:

● What is the status of arts education in public juvenile correctional facilities?

● What do programs that combine art with juvenile justice and community

re-entrance look like?

● Why do the arts matter to juvenile offenders?

Summary of Impact:

● 36.6% (175) of 458 facilities responded to the survey.

● 57.14% of responding institutions had arts programs.

● 42.86% had no arts programming.

● 69% had long-term arts programming, most meeting daily.

● 23% had short-term programs, 35% of these met weekly.

● most program sessions, both long-term and short-term, lasted less than one hour

but more than 30 minutes.

● 73% of arts programs focused on visual arts.

● 9% on music/theater.

● 75 on visual arts/music.

● 4% on music/theater/dance.

● 3% on visual arts/theater.

● 2% on visual arts/dance.

● 1% theater.

● 1% music only.

● 65% used a written curriculum.

● certified art teachers created over 55% of written curricula.
54

● more than 50% of programs received funding from state sources.

● 20% of programs received funding from state arts programs.

● 10% were funded by state monies with private grants.

● donations or petty cash funded less than 5%.

● 86% of respondents did not indicate whether the budget included the cost of a

teacher/artist/facilitator.

● 34% of programs participated in some form of evaluation.

● 62% had no formal evaluation data.

● more participants were male but, proportionally, more participants were female

● 22% had mandatory participating.

● 20% participation was recommended by a teacher, counselor or staff member.

Staff and volunteers of the “Northeastern Training School” stated in interviews that the

arts provided students with an appropriate outlet for their feelings

KEYWORDS: dance, emotions, juvenile, music, theater, visual arts, youth
55

APPENDIX:

PROGRAM EVALUATION RESOURCES

The following references present information on program implementation

as well as methodologies to effectively evaluate the impact of prison arts

programs. These may serve to guide future researchers when studying

how and how well prison arts programs work. They may also aid in the

design and implementation of future programs.

Balfour, M. and Poole, L. (1998). Evaluating Theater in Prisons and

Probation. In Thompson, J. (Ed) Prison theater: Perspectives

and Practices. London and Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley

Publishers. p. 217-230.

Argues for the benefits and necessity of evaluating the effectiveness of arts in prison and

probation. Presents theories and methodologies of evaluation.

Hillman, Grady (2000). Evaluation, Advocacy and Sustainability in Arts

Programs for Juvenile Offenders in Detention and Corrections: A

Guide to Promising Practices. Washington, D.C.: Office of

Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and National

Endowment for the Arts. p. 23-25

“Advocacy and evaluation activities that generate program recognition are critical

components both to community acceptance and to the financial sustainability of juvenile

justice arts programs” (p. 23).

Miller, Jerry and Rowe, William S. (Winter 2009). Cracking the Black

Box: What Makes An Arts Intervention Program Work? Best

Practices in Mental Health, 5(1), 52-64.

A review of “the limited literature on arts programming to identify a core set of practices

that may be linked to positive outcomes [for arts programming for at-risk youth]. A

template that identifies key components was developed to guide program implementation

as well as future research” (p. 52).

Ploumis-Devick, E. (2011). Foreword in Shailor, J. (Ed.) Performing

New LIves: Prison Theater. London and Philadelphia: Jessica

Kingsley Publishers, p. 7-15. APA

Identifies three essential elements of effective arts-based programs as a mutually

beneficial partnership with correctional professions; replicable and compatible program
56

architecture; result-focused programming and implementation consistency. (p. 7)

Williams, R.M. (2003). Evaluating Your Arts-in-Corrections Program”

in Williams. Teaching the Arts Behind Bars. Boston:

Northeastern University Press, p. 167-180.

Why evaluation is important, how to plan for an evaluation, what to look for when hiring an

external evaluator, what to expect in a final report, and a way to do your own evaluation

(p. 167).

YouthARTS Development Project (1998). Evaluation. In YouthARTS

Handbook: Arts Programs for Youth At Risk. Americans for the

Arts, p. 123-177. Retrieved from

http://youtharts.artsusa.org/

How to conduct your own process and outcome evaluation, benefits and challenges of a

well-planned program evaluation, a step-by-step approach for evaluating arts program

outcomes and other best practices from field.
57

Author Affiliations

Amanda Gardner, Ph.D., is a writer and community artist with 20 years experience

operating arts programs for homeless, incarcerated and mentally ill populations.

mandyabq@gmail.com

Lori L. Hager, P.h.D., teaches and conducts research in the areas of community arts

history and policies, community youth arts and arts learning, and eportfolios.

lhager@uoregon.edu

Grady Hillman is Vice President of the Southwestern Correctional Arts Network and

currently serving as a consultant for the National Endowment for the Arts with the Bureau

of Prisons arts programs. gradyh@prodigy.net

Research assistance provided by Beatrice Ogden, a master’s student in the Arts and

Administration graduate program at the University of Oregon. Report design by Beatrice

Ogden.