RT Article T1 Creative IDEA: Introducing a Statewide Art Therapy in Prisons Program JF International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology VO 66 IS 12 SP 1285 OP 1302 A1 Soape, Evie A2 Barlow, Casey A2 Gussak, David E. A2 Brown, Jerry A2 Schubarth, Anna LA English YR 2022 UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1811759548 AB Education is regarded as an avenue for success while the under-educated are disproportionately more likely to be incarcerated and remain within the correctional system. Current prison reforms have focused on increasing access to educational programming. However, these programs are not designed to address the lack of control, poor self-regulation, low emotional intelligence, inadequate social skills, or lack of internal motivation that hinder progress. Art therapy has been found effective in mitigating these impediments. Recognizing this, a partnership arose between a state Department of Corrections and a State University’s graduate art therapy program out of which emerged an Art Therapy in Prisons Program, funded through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Two art therapists provided services to youthful male and female offenders in four institutions to assuage these obstacles. This article explores the genesis and development of this program, and the flexible adjustments required to address the impending COVID-19. We conclude how those who participated did indeed demonstrate improvement. K1 youthful offenders K1 Special education K1 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act K1 IDEA K1 Covid-19 Pandemic K1 correctional education K1 art therapy in prison K1 art therapy DO 10.1177/0306624X211013731