hyperallergic.com: A new program in New York City allows people arrested for minor offenses to avoid jail or court appearance by enrolling in an art course. A pilot run of the program has shown a reduction in recidivism and an improved view of criminal justice agencies among participants, a study by the Court Center for Innovation says.
14 comments:
It’s so nice to see that art is being used as a tool. I think we often forget that art can be a tactic to vent out emotions or to bring a person through catharsis. It’s super cool that this article even has data showing that this method is preventing recidivism. Low-level offences, fare beating, painting graffiti, shoplifting, trespassing etc, should be addressed in this way. Understanding and asking individuals about their own self expression through the analysis of art is a really good way to provide people with the opportunity to self-reflect. I also think that our federal justice prison system is so fucked up because it is all about monetary gain and not actually about the humans inside of the system. The system is super broken. This feels like one small step to give back to the people and give them an opportunity to not have a criminal charge on their record.
I agree with Ella that the justice system in American today is broken and systematically targets individuals who struggle without providing help for their needs. This pilot program developed by NYC seems like a great way to start fixing the system. Targeting those who have minor offense, such as shoplifting and trespassing, that usually comes with a court date that usually people miss, now has the option to attend a 2 hr art class. This art class can allow the participants reflect on themselves and share their feelings and thoughts about art with those who are in similar situations to them. Discussing art can be very relaxing and engage the brain in a new way. It can also help break the stigma that people who break the law should be punished the rest of their lives for it. Most of these individuals come to the realization that they made mistake and are glad that they have a second chance. I think this article did a really good job in describing the program but could have done better in interviewing people that participated in the program about their thoughts.
I am an incredibly strong believer in rehabilitation over incarceration. The Brooklyn District Attorney, Eric Gonzalez’s words in the article are really powerful, “It’s about holding people accountable, but doing it in ways that promote human dignity.” That emphasis on bringing human dignity, and humanity overall, into the American justice system is so incredibly important. And bringing the arts into that rehabilitation process is really really valuable. And it has results. In approaching any of these issues, we can talk about right and wrong for ages, but being able to use real studies with real results provides the necessary foundation in order to actually promote and implement these changes. But this method of rehabilitation connects these citizens back to their community, to each other, and to themselves. Art is a really powerful tool that is much too commonly reserved for the middle and upper classes but using it in this way gives more accessibility of art to the lower classes.
I’m not an expert at the justice system in the States but I know that it is problematic for making many arrests, even when they are super minor offenses. I love this concept of an art program that is set up to allow minor offenders to take the course instead of going to jail. It’s especially important that this program is as the article said, holding people accountable but doing it in a way that promotes human dignity. It reminds me of how the justice systems work in the Nordic countries/socialist countries. I read this article about how their prisons are built for rehabilitation and not punishment. It’s awesome to see that they have data to back up that these types of programs actually work. The participants had fewer re-arrests and new convictions than other who have not taken part in the program. This is such important work and I think needs to be brought to other states, states with more problematic justice systems.
This is an incredible idea! There was an article last week about art promoting empathy in students, and there's no reason why that shouldn't be applied to those who commit crimes. I think this is incredible as a substitute for jail time AND would be incredible as an addition to jail time for more serious offenders. Art is incredibly powerful and this is such a wonderful way to show that to the world and to show the world that the United States can no longer be ruthless in punishing offenders, because it isn't deterring crime. It's been proven that longer jail sentences and other punishments are not a deterrent to crime at all. So, really, why can't we use what's been proven to work: art and therapy. Making art more accessible to the people who truly need it is such an important thing and this is such an incredible way to do it. I can't wait to see how this plays out because I'm confident it will result in some level of rehabilitation for these people and I'm excited for the prospect and it's impact at our society.
Oh, my gosh. I really, really love this! This reminds me a lot of the NYT article posted here a couple weeks ago about a prison theatre program. I think this is such a great idea that I am hopeful to see long-term results for. After seeing so many shows and documentaries highlighting the horrible "justice system" in the USA, I feel like it's so important to find a more human way to rehabilitate people. This looks like a great way. Here's a quote I found very promising:
"A study conducted by the Center for Court Innovation, a partner in the project, shows that participants had fewer re-arrests and new convictions, and longer times to re-arrest and conviction, compared to individuals who have not taken part in the program."
I really hope this trend continues to develop and encourages more cities to implement similar programs. I feel like it should be very clear that prisons have not been successful in rehabilitating people. It should be obvious that treating humans like garbage will not improve them and release them back into the world as better people, but not many politicians have made the important decisions to fix this huge problem. There are so many issues that need to fixed and I really do think alternative programs like these are such great starts. I hope I can one day find a way to be involved in a program like this.
Rehabilitation needs programs in which we are including and providing felons with experiences and skills that help them not only learn but progress and integrate back into life. This program is a fantastic idea using art as a tool in society I agree entirely with those before me that art is a fantastic way to let things out and allow people to express themselves. Allowing this for minor offenses as well allows for a people to take an “easier” course out of it. Giving them time to reflect on what has happened and know why they are there doing what they are but not necessarily punishing them I think is big. Allowing them to express themselves as well I imagine a lot of the people taking this class and working in these courses would be early offenders probably younger offenders and necessarily punishing them with jail time or fines may not be the most beneficial to their growth as human beings.
For me, art and artistic expression has had such a big impact on my well being and psyche, and I know how powerful of a healing tool art can be. Prosecuting people for minor, non violent offences, only serves to strengthen the poverty cycle, especially for people of color. The US justice system is also inherently dehumanizing and biased, and focuses much more on punishment than rehabilitation, which is not a sustainable system and many times, only leads to an increase in re-arrests. The 2 hour art class would hold offenders accountable for that date, but it would offer a form of expression and also allow the participants to take part in a discussion that relates to their background and culture. The participants discuss a relevant piece of art, and then go and use the techniques in that painting in their own work, which allows them to take control of their narrative, at least for an afternoon. The art workshop/session also democratizes art, which is often known as an upper-class cultural staple, and allows those who would not get to experience the art and the discussion to engage with a form of culture that is not easily accessible to them.
It’s almost as if when we treat people as humans who have made mistakes and help them work through the mistake and provide alternative resources and opportunities for them to discuss why they made the mistake, it works better than punishing them with fines and jail time that puts them in a cycle of having to make the mistake again (I’m on a Les Mis kick so follow me here, Val Jean had no money, stole bread for food, got put in jail, was released, had no money, couldn’t get a job as an offender, stole silver to sell for money for food, see the cycle?). I’m glad that this program exists and that it’s using art as a means to finally treat people like humans and not scourges who must be punished to clean the rest of society. Now if we could only stop the violent arrests of some of these people…
I love everything about this. I cannot stress how important arts education is and it is so wonderful that in a system that is so corrupt, this project is getting light. The fact that during this class, not only do the participants create art, but they sit down and discuss pieces. It teachers these people to find meaning and connect their own experiences, which can in turn help them understand themselves better. By promoting the arts, it is giving these people a means of communicating but also potentially sparking a hobby that can fill time and prevent the other minor offenses. So many of the ‘crimes’ are a result of people feeling oppressed in a system, and with this program helping people to feel human, it really helps to counter that. I think the class should be a recurring activity for these people, because 2 hours is never enough. The quote at the end, ““It helped to make me feel human in a system that often criminalizes people for like the smallest of things, bad choices, wrong place wrong time.”
really highlights why things like this are so important for the sake of humanity.
I'm not sure how I feel about this. On one hand, I am a bit offended that a punishment for minor crimes equates to take art classes. On the other hand, I appreciate the fact that they are try to tap into the minds, and potentially souls, of people who have done wrong and help them to find an escape. I think it is a bit demeaning to the artistic industry to have their world be forced upon "criminals" as a sentencing for their petty crimes. It's like you are putting it on the same level as having them pick up trash or clean public spaces. There's so much more to art and you shouldn’t have to force people to learn about it as a punishment. Are you saying that this may be something that people may not want to do voluntarily? Or that its value is so low that it is seen as a cop-out to going to jail? This is something that people actually pay money and spend years upon years studying, in depth. However, at the same time, I do think art programs allow people to tap into sides of themselves that they may not have otherwise thought of tapping into, as well as it it gives them an avenue to express themselves. So instead of punishing people for minor crimes, and not really solving the problem, this can be sort of like a form of rehab or therapy to help make them better and prevent future crimes from the individuals.
“It’s about holding people accountable, but doing it in ways that promote human dignity." SAY IT AGAIN FOR THOSE SITTING IN THE CUSHY CHAIRS. I love this so much, and think that it ties really well into the article last week about how art and theatre teaches empathy and the ability to see from different perspectives. The justice system in this country is so messed up I don't even know where to start, but I'm glad that someone does and is taking action. Taking the energy of people who have committed smaller crimes and redirecting it into experiencing something that challenges them to think and speak outside of their comfort zone, interacting with one another with respect and open-mindedness, is a wonderful way to give people agency in their individual rights as humans, while still holding them accountable to one another as a society. Especially using pieces that shift the gaze and focus on "themes of agency, defining our own narrative versus being defined by others" I think is a wonderful way for people to reconnect with the fact that, despite how the judicial system has treated them, they are thinking, feeling individuals with rights and agency. This is a very small start to revamping our broken system of justice, but at least it is a start.
I am a very big fan of the use of art instead of punishment for small crimes. This program is unlike anything I have ever heard of, but I think it is very practical. Instead of having to go to court just for jumping a $2.75 fare, this program offers a very nice alternative. Sending someone to court or even prison for such minor crimes almost seems like a crime in and of itself – what will someone gain by being punished in this way? Taking an art class like this is a much more practical and viable solution to dealing with minor crime offenses. Art being used as a learning tool has the potential to be very, very valuable for anyone involved in the project. By having participants look for the meaning in the works of others, then creating meaning in work of their own, they will be able to expand their minds and allow them to learn about how to look at art differently. These critical thinking skills can also be expanded to other aspects of life, which is one of the other beautiful thinks about art and finding meaning in art. Honestly, I feel like I would enjoy taking the art class, whether I have committed a minor crime or not.
Arts programs are proven tactics to combatting behavioral issues. This program is an excellent step in the right direction to reframing the prison system to be one of reform and rehabilitation and creation of a second chance, instead of one of punishment. I think that we, as a country / legal system /whatever you want to call it, need to acknowledge that the amount of arrests made for minor infractions is unreal, and that number is even more disturbing when you look at the racial and economic breakdowns of the population. Art is such a powerful gateway to long term change in ones life. Creating the space for inspiration, reflection, and release that is not only productive for the individual, but will positively impact their family, their social circles, and their communities is so clearly an excellent thing to support, and, yet, the way our society views the arts (a money wasting, dead end) results in programs like this existing in the short term and being shut down. I hope this one makes it, and it lays the groundwork for more of its kind.
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