NCJ Number
58266
Date Published
1978
Length
23 pages
Annotation
THE AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION'S PROJECT CULTURE, A PRISON ARTS PROGRAM, IS DESCRIBED IN TERMS OF ITS EVOLUTION AND IMPACT ON THE INMATES, INSTITUTIONS, AND COMMUNITIES INVOLVED.
Abstract
PROJECT CULTURE IS THE FIRST FEDERALLY-FUNDED PROGRAM DESIGNED TO SPECIFICALLY SERVE ADULT OFFENDERS IN LONG TERM STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES WITH QUALITY ACTIVITIES, REDUCE TENSION LEVELS AND BEHAVIORAL INFRACTIONS IN THE INSTITUTIONS, AND GENERATE A GREATER COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF OFFENDERS AND THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM THROUGH THE PARTICIPATION OF GUESTS AND AUDIENCES. OPERATING IN 54 STATE INSTITUTIONS, THE PROJECT'S CREATIVE ACTIVITIES REFLECT THE FORWARD THINKING OF CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS, WARDENS, EDUCATIONAL PERSONNEL, AND OFFICERS WHO CONTRIBUTE MORAL SUPPORT, PROGRAM SPACE, AND FUNDS. FROM THE NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE, THE ARTS PROGRAMMING FULFILLS EXISTING REQUIREMENTS OF BOTH THE JUDICIAL AND CORRECTIONAL COMMUNITIES WHILE CONTRIBUTING TO THE HUMANIZATION OF THE INSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENT. AT THE PROJECT LEVEL AND INDIVIDUAL SITE LEVEL, IT RESPONDS TO THE INDIVIDUAL'S NEEDS FOR A RELEASE OF PENT-UP ENERGIES AND DIRECTS THESE ENERGIES IN A POSITIVE MANNER AFFORDING THE INDIVIDUAL AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CREATIVE SELF-EXPRESSION AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. ALTHOUGH ART AS THERAPY HAS A PLACE IN TREATMENT, IT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC VALUE OF ARTS PROGRAM SUCH AS PROJECT CULTURE. THE THERAPEUTIC VALUE OF ARTS PROGRAMMING REFERS TO A PROCESS THAT IS MORE SUBTLE AND NOT AS GOAL-ORIENTED AS A STRUCTURED ART THERAPY PROGRAM. SOME OF THE THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS WHICH RESULT FROM PRISON ART ARE IMPROVED SELF-DISCIPLINE, REDUCTION OF TENSION, SELF-SATISFACTION, SUCCESS ACHIEVEMENT, AS WELL AS SELF-EXPRESSION AND UNDERSTANDING. CASE STUDIES ARE PROVIDED OF ARTS PROGRAMMING IN CALIFORNIA, NEW JERSEY, ILLINOIS, AND OKLAHOMA. SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO DEVELOP A PRISON ARTS PROGRAM ARE ALSO PROVIDED. PHOTOS ILLUSTRATE THE TEXT.