The Centre for Prisoner Arts: Participants’ Experiences

This article describes the Centrum Sztuki Osadzonych (Centre for Prisoner Arts, CPA), an innovative project developed and delivered in 2022–2023 by Stowarzyszenie Kobietostan (Womanstate Association) at Krzywaniec Penitentiary. The aim of the project was to launch Poland’s first in-prison organization dedicated to sharing experiences and developing methods of rehabilitation through artistic work co-created by prisoners. The work of the Centre for Prisoner Arts, which included women’s and men’s theatre groups, a women’s choir and a band, is discussed here from the perspective of project participants. The study is based on qualitative research based on micro-interviews and it explores the impact of creative activities on participants. Key areas of focus in examining the artistic process included: motivation, group dynamics within the broader prison community, identity, and the influence of participation on the individual’s life in prison – especially in terms of their self-esteem and sense of agency. The research findings helped verify the initial assumptions of the project and provided insights into how Konecka’s and Bresler’s original working method was received. The study also highlights the method’s potential for broader application within the Polish prison system.