Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #13 - What Else Works ... Volume 1 (ACJ13-A003)

Article 3: A.R.T. & Justice: An Arts-based initiative to support the holistic health & dignity of incarcerated Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people in western Canada during and beyond COVID-19 (ACJ13-A003)

Abstract

COVID-19 has intensified social isolation and worsened mental health for people in Canada and around the world. In response, Correctional Service Canada (CSC) and an academic team launched an artsbased initiative to support the well-being of federally incarcerated Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. We gifted art kits across institutions in the Pacific Region and invited individuals to share resulting artwork. Preliminary results show the therapeutic benefits of art-making amidst reduced access to visitation, programs, and Indigenous Elders. We share these initial findings, their policy potential within other international contexts, and discuss how ART-Justice could be transferred and studied through partnerships to mitigate mental health harms and isolation for incarcerated people during the pandemic and beyond.

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Authors

Dr. Helen Brown

Associate Professor, UBC, School of Nursing, Canada

Dr. Helen Brown is an Associate Professor at the UBC, School of Nursing whose research brings critical perspectives to studies aimed at improving health and social equity for rural and remote Indigenous communities and people in prison. Using community-based and participatory methods she has worked with First Nations communities across Western Canada on projects that align with community priorities around health, wellness, cultural continuity and language revitalization. She is currently the lead on a program of participatory research aimed at supporting the health, wellbeing and dignity of people in prison and communities disproportionately impacted by the Canadian carceral system.

Kelsey Timler

Researcher, PhD Candidate, Research Manager, UBC, School of Nursing, Canada

Kelsey Timler is a settler researcher and PhD candidate who works on a number of Participatory Action Research projects in partnership with people who are or have been incarcerated, with the ultimate goal of supporting the health, wellbeing, and dignity currently and formerly incarcerated peoples through storytelling and food justice. Her work is conducted in relationship with Indigenous Peoples and communities, and she believes in the power of food to bring people together, and the strength of storytelling to empower, disrupt, and dream. She also works as a Research Manager, based in the UBC, School of Nursing.

Dan Jack

Regional Administrator, Indigenous Initiatives, Correctional Service Canada, Canada

Dan Jack is Correctional Service Canada’s Regional Administrator of Indigenous Initiatives for Pacific Region, where he manages the department of nearly 80 staff and contracted Elders who contribute to improving results for Indigenous offenders. He advises senior managers on effective implementation of Indigenous specific policies and priorities, and manages prison and community-based initiatives aimed at reducing the over-representation of Indigenous people in Canada’s correctional system. Through this role, Dan works to improve the provision of culturally appropriate interventions for Indigenous Peoples, including through expansion of Elder supports and piloting Elder involvement in urban community programs. By building partnerships with Indigenous communities, organizations and Elders to support Indigenous people post-release, Dan aims to support cross-sectoral and interdepartmental collaboration and innovation to further correctional aims and holistic health for incarcerated Indigenous Peoples, as well as wider benefit to Indigenous communities in Canada.

Kirsten Sigerson

Senior Project Manager, Community Corrections, Correctional Service Canada, Canada

Kirsten Sigerson has worked for the Correctional Service Canada (CSC) for almost 30 years, starting her career in 1993 following the completion of a Master’s Degree (Sociology) from the University of British Columbia. Since then, she has worked in numerous settings across the organization, gaining experience at the regional / national headquarters level, as well as at a variety of institutional and community sites. Areas of focus throughout her career have included project management, strategic planning, inter-departmental collaboration, program evaluation, and public education about the work and objectives of CSC. Kirsten currently works as a Senior Project Manager for Community Corrections (Pacific), and is regularly involved in partnership development and research activities that relate to offender reintegration.

Advancing Corrections Journal - Edition #13 - What Else Works ... Volume 1 (ACJ13-A003)

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