Abstract
This essay features photographs of some interesting artwork discovered on the interior of a vacated county jail in Indiana. The artwork suggests that the human desire for creativity is strong even against the constraints of jail cell confinement. As opposed to something destructive, the artwork should imply an opportunity to strengthen efforts aimed at offender reintegration. A review of the literature suggests that artistic activities are rarely used in prisoner reentry programs and community-based corrections but receive strong support from practitioners and researchers. As part of a comprehensive approach designed to meet a variety of individual needs, creative activities may help released prisoners and community sanctioned individuals become more seriously involved in reintegration programs, more engaged in conventional activities, and therefore less likely to re-offend.

Lee Michael Johnson
University of West Georgia
"Mike" Johnson is Assistant Professor of Criminology at the University of West Georgia. He received his Ph.D. in Sociology from Iowa State University in 2001. His research interests are in juvenile delinquency, prevention, and intervention as well as victimization and alternative corrections. His background includes work with behavior-disordered and delinquent youth in residential treatment, including creative and recreational activities. He has published on the topics of jail artwork, criminal justice system involvement and youth crime, victim blaming, and criminal victimization and depression. His teaching areas include juvenile delinquency, victimology, crime and social inequality, criminological theory, criminal justice, and social problems. E-mail: ljohnson@westga.edu