Soape, E., Barlow, C., Pérez, M.T., Hart, M., Gussak, D., Schubarth, A. and Sumner, C. (2023). Art Therapy in Prisons Program Exhibition: Implementation and Benefits, Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, published online May 19, 2023, 1-6.
Author Affiliations: Florida State University/Florida Department of Corrections (FSU/FDC) Art Therapy in Prisons Program (Soape, Barlow, Pérez, Gussak and Hart); Florida Bureau of Education, Florida Department of Corrections (Schubarth)
Artforms: art therapy
Program: The Florida State University (FSU)/Florida Department of Corrections Art Therapy in Prisons Program
Program Description: Art therapy services for young inmates with emotional and behavioral disabilities to help them overcome educational struggles.
Program (Study) Location: Two prisons in North Florida and two in Central Florida
Participant Type: Adult inmate artists, “outside” exhibit attendees
Sample Size: 57 of 58 “outside” attendees completed online surveys; number of artists unknown
Study Published: 2023
Data Type: Survey data and discussions
Evaluation Focus: Whether an annual art exhibition of participants’ work at an annual state-wide conference for prison educators provided opportunities for participants “to feel that they were being seen and heard on the outside.”
Summary of Impact: Prisoner artists felt that they were seen by people outside the prison. More than 78% of “outside” attendee survey respondents found the exhibit “enjoyable” and 82% “educational.” The “exhibition served as a bridge between those inside and outside,” the study concluded.
KEYWORDS: adult, art exhibit, art therapy
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