Initiating Change of People With Criminal Justice Involvement Through Participation in a Drama Project: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Introduction: Innovative and interdisciplinary approaches are needed to improve mental health and psychosocial outcomes of people with criminal justice involvement and their families. Aim of the study was to assess effects of the participation in a theatre project on the mental health problems of people with criminal justice involvement and relatives. Methods: We conducted structured diagnostic interviews and in-depth qualitative interviews with five participants performing Shakespeare’s Richard III in Chile. Three participants had been imprisoned prior to the project, and two were the parents of a person who died in a prison fire. Qualitative interviews followed a topic guide. Data were transcribed, and a six-phase approach for thematic analysis of the data was used. Results: Substance use disorder or major depression was identified in all the participants. Participation in the theatre project was experienced by the respondents as having a positive effect on the mental health conditions. The research registered the positive experiences of role identification, emotional expression, commitment with group processes, improved skills to socially interact, to be heard by the general public and society, and positive perceptions of the audience (including relatives). Discussion: The study raises the possibility that there may be improvements of depression and substance use problems through the participation of people with criminal justice involvement in a drama project. Wider scale research is recommended on the possible effects. The approach may be an alternative to psychotherapy and medication for some individuals.

Inside Out: Change Through Art

“…1 Among individuals with criminal justice involvement, use of participation in drama projects has shown favorable effects in altering the emotional state related to traumatic experiences and improves capacities to regulate interpersonal relations. 9 Similar favorable effects among individuals experiencing incarceration have been shown with meditation, as a means of fostering mindfulnessbased stress reduction. 10 The women who participated in the creation of handwritings as visual art often commented in their work on their roles in motherhood, and the stresses that were created by their situation for dependents.…”

Mental health intervention research in Latin American correctional settings: A scoping review

“…The included studies were categorized by country, language, study design, type of institution, population type of intervention, and outcome. Most of the studies were from Brazil ( N = 14) (Amorim-Gaudêncio et al, 2017; Andretta & da Silva Oliveira, 2008, 2011; Billand & Facciolla Paiva, 2017; Barcellos Café & do Nascimento 2012; Fortunato Costa et al, 2011, 2020; Machado das Neves et al, 2017; Figueiredo Falcomer Meneses et al, 2016; Da Silva Oliveira et al, 2010; Rodrigues, 2020; Pinheiro Said, 2019; Santos et al, 2010; Zambom et al, 2011), followed by Chile ( N = 6) (Barrientos-Low & Escaff-Silva, 2018; Olhaberry Huber et al, 2020; Cisternas Isla & Carreño Miranda, 2019; Livacic-Rajas et al, 2004; Mundt et al, 2019; Avello Saez et al, 2018). Three studies were from Colombia (Avendaño Castro et al, 2020; Barrera-Valencia et al, 2017; Palomino et al, 1991) and Mexico, respectively (Corchado-Vargas, 2016; Noriega Gayol, 1995; Vásquez Sosa & Sánchez Sosa, 2015).…”

“…Thirteen studies were available in Spanish (Avendaño Castro et al, 2020; Barrientos-Low & Escaff-Silva, 2018; Baltodano Chacón & Márquez Cueva, 2014; Corchado-Vargas, 2016; Curay Banegas & Dávila Gómez, 2018; Olhaberry Huber et al, 2020; Cisternas Isla & Carreño Miranda, 2019; Livacic-Rajas et al, 2004; Mora-Arias et al, 2020; Palomino et al, 1991; Riega-Virú & Tataje-Véliz, 2020; Avello Saez et al, 2018; Vásquez Sosa & Sánchez Sosa, 2015), 11 in Portuguese (Amorim-Gaudêncio et al, 2017; Andretta & da Silva Oliveira, 2008, 2011; Billand & Molinier, 2017; Fortunato Costa et al, 2011; Machado das Neves et al, 2017; Figueiredo Falcomer Meneses et al, 2016; Da Silva Oliveira et al, 2010; Rodrigues, 2020; Pinheiro Said, 2019; Zambom et al, 2011) and 10 in English (Barrera-Valencia et al, 2017; Barcellos Café & do Nascimento, 2012; Capellan et al, 2022; Fortunato Costa et al, 2020; Noriega Gayol, 1995; Hutchinson et al, 2017; Mundt et al, 2019; Romero et al, 2018; Santos et al, 2010; Spence, 2019). In all, N = 24, 71% of the studies were only available in Spanish or Portuguese.…”

“…There were nine cohort studies (Andretta & da Silva Da Silva Oliveira, 2008; Olhaberry Huber et al, 2020; Livacic-Rajas et al, 2004; Mora-Arias et al, 2020; Oliveira et al, 2010; Riega-Virú & Tataje-Véliz, 2020; Santos et al, 2010; Vásquez Sosa & Sánchez Sosa, 2015; Zambom et al, 2011) that reported pre- and post-test comparisons using quantitative outcomes. Thirteen studies were designed as case series with a mainly qualitative description of the intervention and the perceived changes (Amorim-Gaudêncio et al, 2017; Avendaño Castro et al, 2020; Barrientos-Low & Escaff-Silva, 2018; Billand & Facciolla Paiva, 2017; Barcellos Café & do Nascimento, 2012; Fortunato Costa et al, 2011, 2020; Noriega Gayol, 1995; Curay Banegas & Dávila Gómez, 2018; Mundt et al, 2019; Palomino et al, 1991; Rodrigues, 2020; Romero et al, 2018). Seven studies were classified as expert opinion or consensus, because of their approach to interview different professional actors (psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, etc.)…”

“…description of the intervention and the perceived changes (Amorim-Gaudêncio et al, 2017;Avendaño Castro et al, 2020;Barrientos-Low & Escaff-Silva, 2018;Billand & Facciolla Paiva, 2017;Barcellos Café & do Nascimento, 2012;Fortunato Costa et al, 2011, 2020Noriega Gayol, 1995;Curay Banegas & Dávila Gómez, 2018;Mundt et al, 2019;Palomino et al, 1991;Rodrigues, 2020;Romero et al, 2018). Seven studies were classified as expert opinion or consensus, because of their approach to interview different professional actors (psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, etc.)…”