Performing well: Male prisoner experiences of drama, dance, singing and puppetry in England

Abstract

This paper outlines art form impacts used within Staging Time at an adult male sex offender prison in England by drawing on the voices of prisoners (aged 21–75 years), including those with undiagnosed autistic traits. We qualitatively investigate prisoner experiences from drama (n = 11), dance (n = 12), puppetry (n = 7) and singing (n = 15) projects using a theory of change approach. Based on a themed analysis of self-report data from 4 world cafés and 44 follow-up questionnaires, we conclude arts projects positively contribute to health and well-being, forming healthy relationships and prison culture. By applying a desistance theory lens, we argue arts projects provide building blocks towards crime abstinence. Whilst all arts projects improved prisoner well-being, dance had a greater propensity for increasing physical fitness. With a focus on dance impacts, our research widened to stakeholder and practitioner interviews (n = 4), alongside analysis of secondary data from dance performance audience feedback sheets (n = 48) collected by Staging Time. Audience members included prison staff, prisoners, prisoner family members and close friends and a small group of invited stakeholders. Arts projects have wider impacts on staff, other prisoners and family members.

Reflective participatory crime prevention education and solution finding through World Café and Forum Theatre with young people and young adults

“…Brown and Issacs (2005) developed the participatory qualitative research methodology of World Caf e. It can be facilitated with smaller participant numbers of 8-12 people (Page and Temple-Malt, 2018;Page et al, 2022) through to class size cohorts (Page, 2020) in a caf estyle environment. World Caf e's typically start with informed consent (including parental/ guardian consent if applicable) and outlining participant rights (Page, 2023).…”

“…World Café’s typically start with informed consent (including parental/guardian consent if applicable) and outlining participant rights (Page, 2023). A short presentation focused on crime prevention and awareness raising (Page and Temple-Malt, 2018) or event or provisional research findings reflections (Page, 2021; Page et al , 2022) stimulates conversations. Several research questions are posed one-at-a-time (Page et al , 2022), and simultaneous group conversations acquire insights and identify issues and related solutions (Page and Temple-Malt, 2018).…”

“…Children's ages and ability have implications for participation levels but have been found to be more accessible for learning and physically disabled children (Aldridge, 2016). Learning disability is more prevalent in incarcerated populations and participatory practice can benefit this cohort (Page et al, 2022). Participatory research is a democratic process, facilitating knowledge and vision production that helps engage the marginalised (Kapoor and Jordan, 2009), as well as with professional and community stakeholders (Bovaird, 2007;Boyle and Harris, 2009;Page et al, 2021).…”

“…Another ethical factor is working within the co-researcher competency parameters (Page, 2023). Academic researchers present for in-situ research coaching support and research team debriefs can assist with this (Page, 2020; Page et al , 2022), as well as suitable referral pathways in place for participants (Page and Temple-Malt, 2018; Page, 2020). There are also sensitivity considerations in the data collection methodology; for example, participants sharing personal experiences with each another in large groups can hinder disclosure or emotionally impact those present, including co-researchers (Page, 2023).…”

“…Extra curriculum participation in youth movements has longstanding pro-social modelling significance (Muncie, 2009), as has sport engagement (Girginov, 2009), the arts (Howard, 2022) and other activities. Activities can be delivered in participatory ways where participants can shape the programme (refer to Page et al, 2022;Smithson and Jones, 2021).…”