Project Title: Mental and Physical Health Effects of Rehabilitative Arts Programs On Incarcerated People
Project Description: Incarcerated people already make up one of the most medically underserved populations in the United States, with every year spent in prison shortening an incarcerated person’s lifespan by two years. When one considers the fact that the number of people serving 10 years or more in state prison has tripled since 2000, the question of how to provide just and adequate medical care not only to every incarcerated person, but particularly to an aging population of long-term incarcerated people, emerges. With the prison medical system already underfunded and under-resourced, it’s imperative to look towards solutions that can lower the amount of interaction incarcerated people have with the prison medical system in the first place. For that, we must think creatively and holistically–for that, we must look towards the arts. The arts have historically been used in prison as a rehabilitative behavioral tool, and while they have proven to be effective as such, this thesis will explore whether there is a secondary health benefit for incarcerated people participating in the arts. This will be done through an exploration of the first-person narratives of incarcerated and previously incarcerated people who are or were involved in some form of arts programing in prison. If a relationship can be outlined between improved physical or mental health outcomes and participation in prison arts programming, it could be leveraged to show the importance of art programs for incarcerated people, not only as a rehabilitative tool but as a form of mental or physical disease prevention and health maintenance.
Biggest achievement: Learning how to appreciate the small joys of life.
Reflections on the College Scholars Program: I feel very lucky that Cornell has a program like this which empowers students to forge their own paths and dive into a niche subject. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to study what I’m passionate about and look forward to learning all I can, from my peers in the program as well as through independent research.