Benefits of Art therapy in Prison Population with a Diagnosis of Mental Illness: A Systematic Review.

Art therapy is a form of psychotherapy that was introduced in psychiatric hospitals, where psychiatric patients used painting as a way to express themselves. Nowadays, it is used in prison and has positive effects such as stress and anxiety reduction, and decrease in rates of recidivism. The main aim of this study was to analyze the effects of art therapy programs among the prison population with a diagnosis of mental illness. A systematic review was performed and a total of 12 studies were included. Positive results and beneficial effects were observed for this population; the most prominent is the decrease in the rate of recidivism. Art therapy is a form of therapy that is effective for improving socialization and decreasing anxiety and depressive symptoms in patients diagnosed with mental illnesses. It has been proved to decrease recidivism rates in inmates who participate in these programs.