Experiences of creative workshops in Belgian prisons

Abstract

To our knowledge, in Belgium, no occupational therapist has ever been employed to work in a prison environment. However; one occupational therapist is working on a voluntary basis, once a week, in a prison in Dendermonde (in Belgium Flemish speaking region) and an artist has been organising a creative workshop in a women's prison for the last ten years. This artist was appointed by the Ministry of Culture (in Belgium French speaking region) and has written a book describing the evolution of the workshop. Both Anne Colpaert and Yvonne Cattier show us that a prison does not cure but that activities can help to rebuild self-respect and group dynamic can prepare prisoners for a new start in their lives when the doors are opened.