What can art therapy contribute to rehabilitation in correctional settings? A narrative review

Abstract

Art therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach that encompasses not only the creation of artwork but also the symbolic process by which individuals externalize, explore, and transform their internal experiences. Unlike other psychotherapy approaches, emotions, thoughts, and experiences that are difficult to verbalize become visible through this symbolic process. The adaptability of art therapy to both individual and group settings and various populations provide an important advantage, especially for individuals who cannot directly access psychotherapy or who feel distant from traditional, speech-based methods. The aim of this narrative review is to demonstrate that art therapy can be considered a valuable intervention in supporting the rehabilitation processes of justice-involved individuals (prisoners and probationers) within correctional settings and to examine its psychosocial effects, existing research, and potential areas of application. First, the psychosocial needs and challenges of justice-involved individuals and the rehabilitation approaches utilized in these settings were discussed. Within the criminal justice system, conventional rehabilitation approaches tend to focus primarily on behavioral and cognitive aspects while providing limited attention to the emotional and relational components of rehabilitation. With the shift in approaches within correctional systems, the increasing focus on cognitive, emotional, and social change, in addition to the behavioral dimension, among individuals involved in crime offers a significant opportunity for the integration of art therapy into the rehabilitation process in the correctional settings. Subsequently, the psychological effects of art therapy, research conducted within correctional settings, and its potential role in the system were reviewed, followed by implications for practice and policy development.