Over the years, the Directorate for Execution of Criminal Sanctions in Serbia has recognised the profound role that creative workshops and art therapy play in rehabilitation of prisoners. By fostering creativity and self-expression, these programmes offer inmates a chance to process their emotions and rebuild essential social skills. Such efforts lay the groundwork for lasting change, benefiting not just individuals but entire local communities and the society at large.

Art Therapy as a Path to Rehabilitation in Pozarevac-Zabela facility

Led by Marko Stević, Treatment Specialist at the Detention Facility in Pozarevac-Zabela, art therapy workshops are offering to inmates meaningful, structured activities that aim to help explore creativity and personal interests, investing their time positively and constructively. Initially, these workshops were intended for the general prison population, but soon, their potential for meeting the specific needs of violent extremist prisoners became apparent.

“In these high-security environments, creative sessions offer a valuable outlet for self-expression, emotional exploration, and constructive engagement,” underlines Marko, while showing some art-works examples from the prisoners in the Detention facility in Pozarevac-Zabela. They demonstrate how inmates' paintings evolved from simple dark shapes to beautiful, colorful and detailed compositions.

According to Marko, this type of work with convicted persons is a powerful tool for establishing contact, communication and gaining trust. Through art, participants can express themselves without the need for words. “When it is difficult to speak directly about feelings, a work of art can become a medium that expresses them and allows the therapist to better understand hidden emotions and thoughts. During group work, participants share their achievements which help to create a sense of community and support among members," Marko explains.

He recalls the experience of a violent extremist prisoner who followed this programme in the past. Initially withdrawn and skeptical about art therapy, he slowly became curious and started to participate in the dedicated workshops. At first, his paintings were harsh and dark, reflecting his inner turmoil and resistance to change. But, with time, the therapist gently encouraged him to try new colors. And over time, his artwork became softer and more vibrant, marking a noticeable emotional transformation. Following the therapy, he became calmer, more open, and started helping others. This process allowed him to reconnect with hope and consider a positive future beyond prison.

Assisting prison authorities on the new paths to rehabilitation

In this journey, the Council of Europe has played a significant role in supporting prison authorities to move beyond security-focused policies and introduce activities that foster engagement, motivation, and behavioral change. Such approach is also grounded in the European Prison Rules, encouraging member states to offer educational and creative programmes as part of a human rights-based approach to incarceration.

In the efforts to make rehabilitation a practical reality within Western Balkan prison systems, the European Union and Council of Europe’s Horizontal Facility programme has ensured ongoing and central support. By providing technical expertise and capacity building, prison administrations across are now better equipped to implement activities that promote emotional expression, social reintegration, and rehabilitation. Experiences from Serbia, and in particular from the Detention Facility in Požarevac-Zabela, show how even small, human-centred interventions can lead to meaningful progress. Motivation remains a key challenge in prison rehabilitation, underlining the tangible impact of rehabilitation when prisoners are given safe and constructive ways to express themselves. Targeted activities like creative painting workshops have shown their effectiveness. They have helped to open space for dialogue, reduce tensions, and build trust between prisoners and staff.

Expanding Good Practices Across the Western Balkans

These good practices are now being promoted across the Western Balkans Beneficiaries, aiming the successful Serbian experience to be adapted and sustained in other prison systems in the region. Art therapy is more than a workshop—it’s a new beginning for inmates. By continuing to invest in creative rehabilitation, prison systems can help break the cycle of violence and offer hope for real transformation, ensuring brighter futures after release and safer communities.