Evaluation Title

Re-imagining futures: Exploring arts interventions and the process of desistance

Type of evaluation

Data type Qualitative

Evaluation Focus Attitudinal change, Behaviour change, Confidence, Desistance, Distinctive contribution of Arts, Impact of arts-based approaches, Participation, Personal development, Reducing offending, Rehabilitation, Self-Efficacy, Self-Esteem, Sense of self, Skills development, Value of Arts methodologies

Key indicators Attitudinal change, Behavioural change, Reducing offending, Self-Efficacy, Self-Esteem, Team work, Well Being

Project output Performances

Methodologies Academic analysis, Case Studies, Data analysis, Ethnographic methods, Feedback forms, Focus Groups

Research limitations Quantitative research, Sample size

Summary of evaluation

Carried out by Northumbria University and Bath Spa University, this report highlights examples of how the arts can support positive changes linked to personal agency, efficacy and identity, which are linked to the highly individualised journey of desistance from criminal behaviour. Key findings show that participation in arts activities enables individuals to begin to redefine themselves, that arts projects facilitate high levels of engagement and that engagement in arts projects has also been shown to lead to greater participation in education and work-related activities. Findings also suggest arts projects can have a positive impact on how people manage themselves during their sentence, particularly on their ability to cooperate with others – including other participants and staff. This correlates with increased self-control and better problem-solving skills. Engagement with arts projects facilitates increased compliance with criminal justice orders and regimes. Arts projects were also found to be responsive to participants’ individual needs. It was also found that the status of arts practitioners as professional artists was highly significant in the success of projects and their impact on participants. the report makes recommendations to artists, organisations and commissioners.

Project description

The Arts Alliance commissioned Northumbria and Bath Spa University to look at different art forms across four different settings. This qualitative research report observes arts in practice looking at visual arts in a high security setting, DJ-ing with young offenders in the community, craft and creative writing with female offenders and making music in an open prison setting. 

Key Quote

The status of arts practitioners as professional artistsis highly significant in the success of projects and their impact on participants. The value of this should not be underestimated by agencies of the criminal justice system when considering using external organisations. The findings from this research clearly indicate that arts projects can contribute to an individual’s journey to desistance.


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