Beyond the Rec Room: Identity development among facilitators of prison arts outreach programs
Location
PANEL: Sociology Honors Pt. I
King 341
Moderator: Christie Parris
Document Type
Presentation - Open Access
Start Date
5-1-2026 11:00 AM
End Date
5-1-2026 12:00 PM
Abstract
This research addresses processes of identity formation among facilitators of arts outreach programs in prisons. Using semi-structured interviews with individuals who have directly engaged with prison outreach programs through volunteer or paid work, I aimed to learn more about the experiences that led facilitators to identify with their role and with the program’s community. Drawing from Becker’s application of social learning theory and the steps for embodying a new social role, I argue that facilitators go through three steps/stages/phases to internalize their roles in the program: 1) initial engagement with the program, 2) experiencing benefits and challenges of the programs, and 3) coping with the surveillance and control of the prison administrations.
Keywords:
Criminology, Sociology, Arts outreach
Recommended Citation
Howard, Ana, "Beyond the Rec Room: Identity development among facilitators of prison arts outreach programs" (2026). Research Symposium. 21.
https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/researchsymp/2026/presentations/21
Major
Psychology; Sociology; Law and Society
Project Mentor(s)
Alicia Smith-Tran, Sociology
2026
Beyond the Rec Room: Identity development among facilitators of prison arts outreach programs
PANEL: Sociology Honors Pt. I
King 341
Moderator: Christie Parris
This research addresses processes of identity formation among facilitators of arts outreach programs in prisons. Using semi-structured interviews with individuals who have directly engaged with prison outreach programs through volunteer or paid work, I aimed to learn more about the experiences that led facilitators to identify with their role and with the program’s community. Drawing from Becker’s application of social learning theory and the steps for embodying a new social role, I argue that facilitators go through three steps/stages/phases to internalize their roles in the program: 1) initial engagement with the program, 2) experiencing benefits and challenges of the programs, and 3) coping with the surveillance and control of the prison administrations.
