Page 12 - Auro Model Prison Activities

➢ PEDAGOGY

The first Art therapy session conducted within the four walls of Pondicherry Prison was

in itself a profound experience not just for the inmates but for the facilitators too. The outcome
of the session left everyone present there in awe of the healing power of Art. The intention

behind conducting an art therapy session was to engage the inmates who were always in a shell
and inexpressive during all the activities.

10 prisoners were handpicked with the purpose of providing each of them a safe space.

The opportunity of expressing themselves through the medium of art helped them to view
themselves from a different and new perspective. No particular activity was planned for the

first session, rather they were given the space to express themselves freely. They associated it
with expressiveness, sensitivity, creativity—in sum, traits that seem antithetical to those

assigned to prisoners.

At the end the session, each one of them was given a feedback form which had 10
questions and each of them expressed how greatly this session helped them to emotionally

express themselves and allowed them to be present in the moment.

Activities in the Central Prison, Kalapet 12 │ Page