An evaluation of an arts program for incarcerated juvenile offenders

More is known about prison art programs that serve incarcerated adults. Since the early 1970's, collaborations between professional artists and prisons have multiplied across the country through the initiative such as the Artist-in-Residence Program, jointly funded by the NEA and the United States Department of Justice. Despite a limited number of published studies examining art programs in correctional facilities, evidence suggests some positive findings in regard to decreased prison violence and less future crime among program participants (Szekely, 1982).

The Illinois Department of Corrections discovered that art eases tension among inmates (Piazza, 1997). "Culture," an arts program in 60 state prisons, developed by the American Corrections Association, found reduction in aggression from 54 to 100% (Count-Van Manen, 1991). Arts programs in adult correctional facilities in California, Oklahoma and Massachusetts demonstrated a decrease in incident rates by 60 to 90% (Durland, 1996). In particular, the California Arts-In-Corrections program found incidents of violence and disruptive behavior reduced by 75 to 81 % (Cleveland, 1992).

Prison arts programs also show an impact on recidivism. A 1997 study found that recidivism decreased by 51% for parolees who participated in the Arts-In-Corrections program for at least six months while incarcerated (Cleveland, 1992). Two years after their release, 69% of Arts-In-Corrections participants remained out of prison compared to 42% of inmate who did not participate in the program (Riches, 1994). Theater Without Bars, a New Jersey prison drama program, determined that 12% of participants returned to prison, compared to 33% of other prisoners (Count-Van Manen, 1991). Despite the successes reported for incarcerated adults, a lack of outcome studies with institutionalized juveniles leaves questions regarding the effectiveness of arts programs with this population unanswered.

A Changed World

This section gives a detailed description of "A Changed World" (ACW), the program studied. Since the program's inception, it has operated under the auspices of several different agencies. Funding for the program has always been a challenge and Ms. Warner has successfully received Federal grants, as well as funding, contributions, and in-kind donations from numerous organizations and individuals. The purpose of ACW is to reduce the recidivism of juvenile offenders through their participation in culturally -relevant, experiential arts activities. Major objectives include: 1) 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. Artists of many talents, skilled with a variety of media, conduct workshops with the juveniles. These professional artists include poets, musicians, sculptors, videographers, graphic designers and photographers,just to name a few. The vast majority of artists have little or no formal training or prior experience in working with incarcerated youth.