The current role of prison within the UK criminal justice system is becoming increasingly unclear. On the one hand, in the 21st century, it is considered a “state strategy for crime control, a deterrent for those contemplating crime and a punitive response for those who have broken the laws” McAvinchey (2011 p.10). On the other hand, it should also have a rehabilitative purpose, the intended role of a prison is to rehabilitate the offender so that, once the prison sentence is completed, he can be successfully rehabilitated into the community and live a free life from crime. fulfilled life. However, when examining vital statistics that highlight an increase in the prison population, it is clearly evident that the system does not control crime or rehabilitate offenders. Despite great efforts by successive governments, there has been a marginal reduction in recidivism rates. over the past ten years, with nearly fifty percent of offenders reoffending within the first twelve months following release. According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Justice, "Two-fifths of adult offenders will be re-convicted within one year of release, and three-quarters will be re-convicted within 4 million nine years" Ministry of Justice, (2010). As over half of crimes in the UK are committed by previous offenders, this shows that prisons are releasing offenders without fully reintegrating them into the community. With the UK economy still recovering from the effects of the recession, it is now more important than ever to find a cost-effective way to rehabilitate offenders, as current reoffending rates cost the taxpayer between £9.5 and £13 billion of pounds per year. " Johnson (2011 p.10) The UK is not the only...... center of reference in prisoner behavior and the majority of staff recognized the benefits of art projects in prisons "100% of staff agreed felt there was a benefit to the prison as a whole (Arts and Offenders Unit, 2000)” (26)The Geese Theater is one of many companies working in the criminal justice system. When the Geese Theater held workshops in Grendon, they reported positive results, they found the arts to be a valuable outlet that helps offenders open up and talk about their crimes. They believe that discussions can make them understand why they commit a crime in the first place. They believe it is important for prisoners to have access to the arts in prisons. The work of the Theater of the Geese will be discussed in the next chapter as an example of how participation in theater workshops in prisons can have positive effects on the rehabilitation of prisoners, (1995).