Can creative engagement help with re-entry post-prison?
By: Cherylynn Finklin
I recently came across an article, that examined the artistic journey of Russell Craig, an ex-inmate who uses the art skills he developed on the inside, to combat the fight against mass incarceration. Craig, who served time for a nonviolent drug offense, created a pastel-based portrait of himself on the surface of 4 combined canvases. As one gets closer to the image, it transforms from just a face on a canvas and reveals that what lays underneath, is seven years’ worth of paperwork Craig saved from his time through the Philadelphia criminal justice system.
“I separated it into four different canvases and placed myself in the middle, symbolizing a black man being targeted by the system” — Russell Craig
Not only was Craig able to get his artwork featured at an exhibit, but he now works for Philly’s Mural Arts Program — whom he met when their restorative justice program came to his prison. Mural Art’s mission is to create art with others to transform places, individuals, communities and institutions. Through his engagement with art while incarcerated, Craig’s journey through re-entry led him to an opportunity to do just that, transform his community.
I believe implementing prison art programs, in conjunction with post-prison creative opportunities, can aid those going through the re-entry process by allowing them a platform to showcase their stories and continue to practice their acquired skills.
In a study called Prison Arts Resource Project (PARP), evidence-based documents such as papers, reports, surveys, etc. from prisons around the U.S.–were used to evaluate the impact in-prison art programs have on the development of those who are incarcerated. In addition, the study also explores how these different art forms and the participation in the program not only influences their human development, but improves their attitudes and behaviors.
“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.”- PARP
In one of the studies at a California prison, the program Arts-in-Corrections (AIC), allowed inmates to engage with art forms such as Ceramics, fine crafts, guitar-making, literary arts, media arts, music, painting, performing arts, printmaking, sculpting, visual arts, writing. As a result of this program, inmates revealed their self-esteem, work ethic, discipline and identity as artists were enhanced. Upon re-entry, the men and women who went through this program, all successfully completed their parole. It was also reported 31% of the participants self-identify as artists, earning all or part of their living through art.
Through this kind of opportunity, inmates and the formerly incarcerated, are given a chance that has a likely outcome for them to gain improved writing skills, greater intellectual agility and creativity, motivation, and enhanced performance in other academic disciplines. This is not to say that participation in a prison art program will eliminate all conflicts associated to the re-entry process or be 100% successful for everyone. For this reason, the need for creative programs post-prison could assist with the transition and create an even greater chance of the reduction of recidivism.
Programs such as Mural Arts in Philadelphia is a great example of how creative programs designed for those released from prison, can bring about a positive impact to not only the formerly incarcerated, but to the community as well.
Among many of their programs is, The Guild, a paid apprenticeship program that gives formerly incarcerated individuals and young adults on probation the opportunity to reconnect with their community while developing job skills. Some of the work they do is Wall and Mural Repair and Installation, Mosaic Tiling, Landscaping, Carpentry, Scaffold Installation.
“78% of Guild graduates are employed or in school after program completion”- Mural Arts Program
Other programs allow the participants to engage more creatively, through producing their own artwork that depicts their experiences through the criminal justice system — with the potential of being put on display — giving their community an opportunity to have insight on the inner workings of the system.
I believe the importance of having both in-prison and post-prison creative programs is…
- By creating the initial attraction and skill to a craft within prison, will first create those developmental characteristics and abilities previously mentioned.
- The new abilities and changed mindset would create a desire and willingness for the former inmate to continue this crafts in a similar structure in which they learned it — therefore making it less of a drastic change.
Surely the reduction of recidivism is much more complex than just the implementation of more creative programs by itself. This issue, without a doubt, will require more reform from legislation and through the cleansing of the flawed criminal justice system-–which targets Black Americans at an alarming disproportionate rate.
In the meantime, by making an effort to provide more of these creative programs both in and out of prison, may help harness and maintain the progress the former incarcerated gained while in prison and continue it throughout their re-entry.
