The connection between art and faith in the context of the penal system

Abstract

Aim: The penitentiary organisation gives an important role to drama education, prison theatre and the combination of religion and faith with art therapy programmes in order to combat the harms of forced detention in prisons and to reintegrate prisoners into society. The aim of this study is to present the progress made in implementing the above and the art therapy programmes planned for 2024.
Methodology: As a practising prison specialist and head of the Incarceration Affairs Service of the Hungarian Prison Service Headquarters, the author has an insight into the range of art therapy programmes offered to prisoners and their practical implementation. During his career, he has been involved in the creation and implementation of several such programmes, both as an implementer and as a supervisor. In preparing this study, he has drawn on his personal experience as well as on the available literature on the subject.
Findings: The prison population is very open to different kinds of artistic programmes, and they actively and creatively participate in their implementation. Drama-based theatre programmes, combined with elements of religion and faith, can be clearly integrated into the range of programmes to prepare prisoners for release, sometimes with elements of reparation.
Value: Art programmes in prison environments not only help prisoners to reintegrate after release, develop their personality, skills and competences, but are also suitable for sensitising society and reducing prejudices and antipathy towards prisoners.