Evaluation Title

Inspiring Change: Final Project Report of the Evaluation Team

Type of evaluation

Data type Qualitative and Quantitative

Evaluation Focus Attitudinal change, Behaviour change, Distinctive contribution of Arts, Impact of programme, Learning

Key indicators Commitment, Communication skills, Completion rates, Confidence, Empathy, Self-Esteem, Well Being

Project outputs Arts-based workshops, Performances

Model of change Desistance

Methodologies Case Studies, Data analysis, Feedback forms, Focus Groups, Interviews, Questionnaires, Telephone interviews

Summary of evaluation

An evaluation of a series of arts-based interventions across the Scottish criminal justice system, focusing on the impact of engagement in these programmes on offenders’ attitudes and behaviours as well as their ability to learn.
The findings concentrate on examining the quality of the arts experience, the people and processes involved, literacy and engagement, increasing confidence and self-esteem and finally exploring desistance. it also includes a brief literature review of previous and current research in Arts in Prisons.

The evalutaion criteria were linked to the outcomes identiifed in the national Strategy on the Management of Offenders (NSMO).

Project description

Inspiring Change involved arts-based projects from seven national companies: Scottish Opera, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, National Youth Choir of Scotland, Scottish Ensemble, Citizens Theatre, the Traverse Theatre and the National Galleries of Scotland, who provided a total of 12 projects in 5 Scottish prisons (Shotts, Barlinnie, Open Estate, Polmont and Greenock) with both male and female prisoners.

Key Quote

There is.....ample evidence of ‘secondary desistance’ - evidence of developing positive identities consistent with starting to move away from crime - from the analysis of the data from prisoners.


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