The Artistic Statements of Inmates about Freedom: the “Labyrinth of Freedom” Project and Its Possible Applications
The Artistic Statements of Inmates about Freedom: the “Labyrinth of Freedom” Project and Its Possible Applications

Summary/Abstract: It is characteristic for the male prison community that showing one’s attitudes, beliefs and feelings is quite risky. In such an oppressive environment the inmates exhibit various strategies of adjustment. In some cases getting involved in artistic activities is not only a way of spending the time of isolation constructively, but it may also become a stimulus for some positive changes after the inmate’s release. The aim of this article is to describe the “Labyrinth of Freedom” project conducted at the penitentiary in Nowy Wisnicz, near Krakow, Poland, in 2012 and to discuss the inmate's comments on freedom, the theme of the artistic project. Some possible benefits of the inmates’ artistic activity are also identified. The analyzed data consists of a selected set of inmates’ works, which share the common theme of freedom. The authors are convinced that the project had a therapeutic value because it created a chance for the inmates to express themselves through art and to reach the “outside” audience. Moreover, within the framework of the project, the inmates’ works were given the same status as the works of professional artists, which should have had a positive impact on the inmates’ self-esteem. Their artistic expression increased their sense of importance in the prison community, by reducing their feeling of isolation and dehumanization. The project was then an opportunity to develop the inmates’ awareness, and so to help them take a big step on the path to personal development and freedom.

• Details
• Contents