Pedagogical and neuropsychological aspects of prisoner creativity

Detention in a prison is the isolation of an individual from society, placing him in an isolated space, where the punishment is not only the lack of contact with family or loved ones, but also being with other - often not easy in coexistence - prisoners. The reduced level of external stimuli makes internal life (experiences, emotions) a priority. Undertaking any creative activity reduces a prisoner’s concentration on the matter of isolation and any health problems and issues: real or imaginary. This process counteracts chaos and contributes to a gradual stabilization of the emotional system. Creative activity, by strengthening emotional stability, helps the regaining of balance and influences the prisoner’s adaptation to the life situation in which he finds himself. The initiation of creative activity by prisoners promotes the reintegration of the individual and social (here including cultural) self. The first part of this article will explain why introducing the arts is not only desirable, but natural given the setting, and inmates’ propensity for creative expression. The next part will present the examples of unstructured and structured programs developed for the creative revalidation of prisoners. Studies have revealed that undertaking creative activity on the part of prisoners plays an important role in the proces of revalidation. At the same time, analysis of works of art produced by prisoners gives an insight into the neuropsychological mechanisms of creation and provides important information for planning therapeutic programs