Rehumanizing Institutional Spaces: Murals as Systems of Care in Hospitals and Prisons

Key Points

• The research aims to explore how artistic interventions, particularly murals, can improve the atmosphere in institutional environments like hospitals and prisons, promoting mental wellness.
• Qualitative analysis of existing murals in hospitals and prisons
• Assessment of their impacts on mental health and social interactions
• Examination of user experiences within these environments
• Murals significantly reduce feelings of isolation, enhancing the emotional well-being of individuals in both settings.
• Increased communication and improved social relations are observed as a result of art interventions.
• Participants report a greater sense of care and empathy within transformed institutional spaces.