FOUNDATIONAL RESEARCH
Our program development takes a multidisciplinary approach and as a result incorporates the leading research and reports in regard to criminology, motivation, using the arts in prisons, positive psychology, and incarceration numbers. Although not an exhaustive list, below we highlight some of the key studies that influence our programs and our approach.
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● The most recognized framework for offender rehabilitation, the Risk-Need-Responsivity model lays out key elements to consider when designing impactful programs inside prisons.
● Supporting the risk factors (or criminogenic needs) identified in the RNR model, this interesting article looks at a study showing that the leading predictors of recidivism were not job attainment or housing, but the mindset and skills an individual has to manage themselves and their relationships with others in the midst of the stressors they experience in life.
● This article introduces the idea of positive criminology, which looks to build on positive experiences as a way to deviate individuals from crime and as a preventative measure so individuals are less inclined to commit crimes.
● The article below takes the next step in positive criminology, identifying guiding principles for what positive criminology looks like in practice.
● The Good Lives Model is an intervention that emphasizes using an individual’s strengths to meet their needs and to carry out prosocial behavior as a way to promote crime desistance.
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● Expanding on Abraham Maslow’s groundbreaking theory of motivation and hierarchy of needs, Scott Barry Kaufman continued Maslow’s work and used leading research to identify a new framework for self-actualization, or an individual being their best self. We use this as a framework in our program development to understand motivation for participants and the core human needs individuals have, whether in prison or not.
Kaufman, S. B. (2021). Transcend: The new science of self-actualization. Penguin.
https://scottbarrykaufman.com/books/transcend/
Here’s a diagram of his Sailboat metaphor.
● The article below articulates the influence of environmental contexts on need satisfaction, suggesting that an environment supportive to need fulfillment promotes prosocial attitudes and actions and greater wellness overall.
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The Prison Arts Resource Project was an attempt to bring together a comprehensive list of the existing research completed on using arts interventions within a prison setting. There are a variety of art forms, interventions, and findings that can be reviewed from programs all over the U.S.
The study below looked at how participants in an art-based program in Sing Sing Correctional Facility in New York lead increased engagement in continued educational programs within the facilities. Education has consistently shown to reduce recidivism rates.
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● Ryan Niemiec is a leading voice in regard to character strengths, a peer-reviewed classification of 24 positive traits that describe individuals at their best. The book below reviews the grounding principles of integrating character strengths personally and professionally.
● This article looks at a positive psychology program’s impact on incarcerated individuals and found an increase in hope, gratitude, and life satisfaction when participants learned topics from the field of positive psychology over an 8-week intervention period.
● The seminal article that introduces the field of positive psychology identifying the three pillars as positive emotions, positive traits, and positive institutions.
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● As of 2018, there are 2.1 million individuals incarcerated in the US.
● A U.S. Department of Justice study estimated that 68% of released prisoners were arrested within 3 years and 83% were rearrested within 9 years.
● At least 95% of all state prisoners will be released.