Art Therapy with Incarcerated Women Who Have Experienced the Death of a Loved One

Abstract

Although the number of women entering prison has continued to soar over the last 2 decades, little attention has been paid to them in health care research. Research with incarcerated women who are grieving has received even less attention. This pilot study was based on the results of previous studies as well as the authors' combined clinical experience in the prison setting and with art therapy. Individual 1-hour art therapy sessions were offered to 8 incarcerated bereaved women for a period of 8 weeks. A variety of materials were used with a specific purpose. The women were interviewed before and after the art therapy was implemented. Seven of the women described positive outcomes following the art therapy intervention and recommended that the program be continued and increased in length.