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Description
A Supreme Audit Office (NIK) 2014 report on Krzywaniec prison revealed a low success rate of resocialization. Since then, the facility has tried to introduce new methods of resocialization and is open to working with our Association. Under the Criminal Code, inmates’ entitlements include education and artistic development, and cultural and educational classes. However, the range on offer is definitely insufficient.This project addresses the problem of vulnerability of inmates, objectifying them, and depriving them of self-esteem.We will create a Centre for Prison Art, the first national facility for sharing know-how and development of methods concerning resocialization through art. The facility will be partly formed by inmates. We will conduct drama, literature, painting, music, and journalism (radio, prison quarterly) programs, and a mother and child home program (games, playing, and children’s activities). The participants will show their works at an exhibition, concert and theatre plays, and the Prison Art Festival. We will organize courses on theatre technology and auditorium operation. Two people will be employed at the Art Centre. We will also conduct a year-long course for a group of ten welfare officers and two probation officers on theatre work methods in vulnerable groups.66 inmates will improve their soft skills and their sense of agency and independence, 10 – professional skills, 800 - a role in culture (quarterly, radio, events), and 15 will learn resocialization through art.Inmates at Krzywaniec Prison, welfare officers, and probation officers will participate.The prison will provide premises for workshops and help to select participants. The Frontis Association will share know-how on content-related issues and help to organize the workshops and festival. The Lubuski Theatre will provide premises for an internship and present a theatre piece and/or conduct children’s workshops, and present a piece at the Festival.
Summary of project results
The project is a response to the problem of social exclusion of inmates of Krzywaniec Prison, their objectification and deprivation of their sense of agency. According to the Penal Code, inmates have the right to, among other things, education and self-expression, as well as cultural and educational activities. Meanwhile, a 2014 report by the Supreme Audit Office from Krzywaniec Prison showed low effectiveness of rehabilitation programs. Since then, the unit has tried to implement new rehabilitation methods and has been open to cooperation with civil society organisations, but these measures have long been insufficient.
Within the framework of the project, the Centre for Inmates'' Art in the Krzywaniec Prison was established and developed its activities. This is the first national centre for exchange of experience and development of methods in the field of rehabilitation through art created by people serving prison sentences. It included 6 permanent workshop groups (women''s theatre, men''s theatre, women''s choir, musical ensemble, literary group, journalism group) in which a total of 112 inmates participated. These activities were complemented by a specialised course - accredited by the Central Board of Prison Service - for prison educators, which taught theatrical tools and good practices in a practical way and stimulated dialogue and reflection on the potential of the arts in the rehabilitation process. At the end of the project, an open Inmate Art Festival was held in Krzywaniec, summarizing the activities of the Centre. The program of this event included presentations of works, premieres of two theatrical performances, workshops, a concert, a panel discussion on rehabilitation through art, and guest speakers. The festival also marked the official opening of the Centre for Inmates'' Art performance hall. As part of the festival, inmates not only performed as artists, but also co-led the workshops and handled the technical side of the shows.
To disseminate the project, an audio-visual presentation of the Inmate Art Centre model was prepared, good practices and recommendations were developed. Three lectures were held for students of art therapy, pedagogy, applied sociology and social work, and a theatre workshop for students of cultural animation. A three-day training event for artists was organised, consisting of an open meeting to popularise the CSO model with a question and answer session, and a two-day practical workshop on theatre work in a prison or detention centre. A total of 148 people participated in the activities to popularise the CSO model.
As a result, 112 inmates of Krzywaniec Prison improved their soft skills (ability to work in a group, communication skills, ability to deal with stress and difficult emotions), increased their sense of agency and independence, and strengthened their potential. The inmates, who were largely deprived of the support of loved ones, created a support network, with regular group interaction at its core. The 13 people working in the prison service - educators and probation officers - also improved their skills.