Evaluation Title

Doing the Arts Justice: A Review of Research Literature, Practice and Theory

Type of evaluation

Data type Qualitative and Quantitative

Evaluation Focus Distinctive contribution of Arts, Impact of arts-based approaches, Theoretical basis of programme, Value of Arts methodologies

Methodologies Academic analysis, Evaluation reviews, Literature search

Summary of evaluation

The first comprehensive review examining the effectiveness of the arts in criminal justice settings, particularly the use of arts in the prevention of crime, in custodial and community sentencing, and resettlement. Starting with a strategic literature review of relevant worldwide practice from 1997 through to 2003, it then goes on to:

Commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Offenders’ Learning and Skills Unit at the Department for Education and Skills and Arts Council England, this review was the first output from this informal partnership to to strengthen the evidence base for the arts as an effective medium in offender rehabilitation.

Project description

The objectives of the review were to:

Key Quote

Key Findings:
While confirming the current paucity of high quality research and evaluation in the field (1997-2003), the survey findings show very clearly that the arts have the capacity and potential to offer a range of innovative, theory-informed and practical approaches that can enhance and extend provision of educational, developmental and therapeutic programmes across the criminal justice sector. They show that the arts are associated with positive criminal justice outcomes and can play an important part in changing individual, institutional and social circumstances which sponsor criminal behaviour.


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