Corrections_Today_Spring_2025_Vol.87_No.1

custody of their children if certain stipulations are met. Actions such as obtaining a GED, acquiring educational certificates or a completion of any prosocial activity or program would be beneficial. Each of these situations should be evaluated on a case by case basis to ensure that the corrections system is making every effort to provide communication alternatives for incarcerated mothers to reestablish and maintain relationships with their children. With the blueprint having been estab lished, facilities must continue expanding on what has been a positive trend in implementing these practices. Prison arts programming and education in community Programs that have long made an impact within cor rectional facilities include prison arts programming and higher education classes done in community. In a study of the development of an arts-based educational pro gram inside a female correctional facility, Mullen (1999) highlighted how participation in these types of programs facilitated creative writing, the production of artworks and institutional and cultural influences. The findings suggested that these actions collectively not only enhance knowledge of incarcerated females’ creative journeys, but can also promote understanding of prison art education with respect to change, reflection and activism (Mullen, 1999). Other studies that have explored the perceptions of current and formerly incarcerated women who had completed prison arts programming described feelings of self-worth, community support, solidarity and emotional safety; elements that are powerful structures for reducing recidivism (Praetorius et al, 2017; Wesley & Dewey, 2019). Programs for example, such as The Horizon Prison Initiative and the Harmony Project in Ohio have been key programs embraced by the Ohio Department of Reha bilitation and Correction. The Horizon Prison Initiative program is designed to help participants examine the challenges that brought them to prison, their current choices and their successful reentry into society. As a result of the program, Horizon participants have his torically had lower rates of recidivism at just 9%, and for every 10 graduates of the program that are in the community, the state of Ohio saves $260,000 annually (Horizon, 2024). Another research study conducted by the Heidelberg group examined whether the Horizon

Photo courtesy Christina Ray

program impacted criminogenic thinking, since it is designed to help women prepare for their transition back into the community. The results found that women who had successfully completed at least one cycle of the program had lower levels of inattentiveness, need for control, cognitive immaturity and egocentrism. This also meant that the overall Total Criminogenic Score was lower for the participants who had completed at least one cycle, proving the positive impact of the program on participants (Hildelburg, 2023). The Harmony Project is another prison arts program that utilizes art to promote social change and bring people together from within both the community and prison setting. Incarcerated men and women who are a part of Harmony Project are provided the opportunity to express themselves creatively through their talents and voices, us ing shared experiences in the arts as a catalyst for healing. These performances on occasion allow them, while under supervision, the opportunity to sing within the commu nity with other Harmony Project volunteers. These types of activities build community both inside and outside the prison walls, helping to break down social barriers and shatter stereotypes. Incarcerated participants in the program also gain new perspectives, develop empathy and increase self-confidence as they learn that where they are does not define who they are (Harmony Project, 2024). One of the more recent highlights of Harmony Project was the 2 nd Annual Sunflower Arts and Music Festi val that was held at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in June. For just the second time ever, incarcerated women and men from three different Ohio correctional institutions sang together in harmony. The process is a large undertaking that involves getting the men from

Spring 2025 | Corrections Today

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