‘Reinventing everything’: Identity, injustice and an arts programme for justice-involved young adults

Over the last 30 years, a large body of research has documented the growth and efficacy of non-profit arts organizations working with justice-involved persons. This coincides with bipartisan criminal justice reform at all levels of government in the United States, itself spurred by recent theories of desistance that suggest the cessation of criminal behaviour is more likely when involved persons can consciously reshape their identities. However, little of this research focuses on (1) programmes that work with justice-involved individuals post-incarceration or (2) the ways in which participants in these programmes view their experiences in light of the social injustices that they have experienced, including poverty, systemic racism and more. This study focused on a paid arts fellowship programme for twelve young adults in Los Angeles, CA. The programme was evaluated through the theoretical lens of desistance, positive youth development and liberation pedagogy. Findings suggest that the programme cultivated a space in which students could be vulnerable, connect and care for themselves and others, and exercise creative autonomy and agency.