Title
Authorizing the Special Committee on Kensington to hold hearings on the implementation of Art Therapy Programming as a low-barrier intervention method in addressing substance abuse disorder and serious mental illness during and after incarceration.
Body
WHEREAS, Individuals in Kensington, and across Philadelphia, dealing with substance abuse and mental health issues often experience significant trauma, mental health issues, and substance use disorders that require ingenious and low-barrier intervention approaches in and outside of carceral frameworks; and
WHEREAS, 62 percent of individuals released from the Philadelphia County jail system were arrested again, with The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections finding recidivism rates were higher amongst individuals with substance abuse disorders (especially for opiates), those with mental health problems, and who commit more in-prison misconduct; and
WHEREAS, Low-barrier intervention methods are designed to be easily accessible for individuals, requiring minimal resources, training, or prior experience. These programs allow participants to engage at their own rate. By eliminating obstacles to participation, these interventions foster a non-intimidating environment for creative and personal growth; and
WHEREAS, Art therapy has been shown to be an effective low-barrier intervention that promotes emotional healing and personal growth, particularly for those in recovery from addiction and trauma; and
WHEREAS, Art therapy encompasses a variety of creative practices, including but not limited to sketching, coloring, and painting. According to the American Art Therapy Association, it "engages the mind, body, and spirit in ways that are distinct from verbal articulation alone,” allowing participants to express themselves in ways that may feel more accessible and less vulnerable than other forms of treatment; and
WHEREAS, There is a growing body of evidence that demonstrates the positive outcomes of art therapy during and after incarceration. At a correctional facility in New York, after implementing a Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program offering a myriad of artistic outlets, the recidivism rate was less than 3 percent compared to the average 60 percent nationally; and
WHEREAS, A study in New Folsom and San Quentin, California saw 30 percent lower parole violation rates among art therapy participants compared to non-participants, and 75 percent lower infraction rates for art therapy participants compared to non-participants; and
WHEREAS, A study conducted by the California Department of Corrections indicated that one year after release, 74.2 percent of participants in the Arts-in-Corrections program had favorable outcomes, such as no parole violations or reconvictions, compared to 42 percent of all parolees; and
WHEREAS, A systematic meta-analysis published in the Frontiers in Psychiatry Journal found arts therapies in forensic care led to improvements in addiction-related outcomes by roughly 59 percent, and art therapy in particular produced benefits that were over 215 percent greater than those observed in control conditions, indicating a significant improvement in reducing substance abuse among incarcerated individuals; and
WHEREAS, There are several existing restorative arts programs in Philadelphia, including The Restorative Justice initiative by Mural Arts and The Guild Program by Murals Arts. These provide an outlet for returning citizens to not only express their creativity and forge positive bonds with other returning citizens but also develop essential job skills that set them up for future success. The Guild Program has maintained a one-year recidivism rate of 15 percent; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia's rich artistic history has been a catalyst for social change, with murals, performances, and community arts programs telling the stories of rehabilitation and second chances since the City's inception; and
WHEREAS, Funding and attention to the arts are often seen as non-essential. It’s time we view art as a beneficial method of rehabilitation that, with its low barriers to participation, has the potential to improve the lives of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals significantly, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby authorizes the Special Committee on Kensington to hold hearings on the implementation of art therapy programming as a low-barrier intervention method in addressing substance abuse disorder and serious mental illness during and after incarceration.
End