Olson, L. Des Vignes, D., McLean, A., Wester, B. Nwatu, U. (2025). “Indiana Prison Writers Workshop: The Power of Gorup Cohesion and Creative Expression among Incarcerated Individuals.” Journal of Prison Education Research.

Olson, L. Des Vignes, D., McLean, A., Wester, B. Nwatu, U. (2025). “Indiana Prison Writers Workshop: The Power of Gorup Cohesion and Creative Expression among Incarcerated Individuals.” Journal of Prison Education Research.

Author Affiliations: University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa (Olson); Indiana Prison Writers Workshop (Des Vignes); University of Alabama (McLean, Wester, Nwatu)
Artforms: Creative Writing, Playwriting
Program: Indiana Prison Writers Workshop
Program Description: IPWW offers a “12-week creative workshop to correctional facilities and communities impacted by violence.” Curriculum includes basic writing skills, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, rhetoric and playwriting
Study Published: 2025
Program (Study) Location: Nine correctional facilities in three states
Study Published: Journal of Prison Education and Research
Participant Type: Incarcerated adults
Sample Size: 149 participants answered questions on workshop expectations and goals prior to workshop beginning, 115 responded to questions at workshop conclusion
Data Type: Open-ended qualitative surveys
Evaluation Focus: technical writing skills, group cohesion

Summary of Impact: “Quantitative data demonstrates the effectiveness of IPWW in teaching wiring skills and reflects participants agreement that the workshops provide opportunities to share their work and receive feedback from peers and the facilitator. Five themes emerged from the qualitative data: 1) self-expression, 2) skill development, 3) self-reflection, 4) perspective, and 5) therapeutic.

KEYWORDS: adult, creative writing, fiction, group cohesion, nonfiction, perspective, playwriting, rhetoric, self-reflection self-expression, self-reflection, skill development