How acting helps prisoners stop acting out | Sadhbh Walshe

theater projects to significantly reduce recidivism prison. All holds, it is punitive and lack of funds

Each year a program called Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) has organized a theatrical production in Sing Sing Prison. The effort this year, Good Men, which is open to the public, will take place almost entirely by inmates in maximum security prison. The event is almost always one of the hottest tickets in town, especially because of the quality of production (which, by all accounts, are stellar). But success depends less on the RTA in the merit of their works that the effect of rehabilitation on the players. Research suggests that their performance in this area is pretty stellar too.

create any type of game is never easy, but the deputy director of the RTA face Ricki But the challenge to produce a play in prison (unlike in the free world) to form Ginger Rogers was famous from Fred Astaire: "We do everything we do, but we do it backwards and in high heels." The fundamental problems such as coordination test of time, obtain a security clearance for volunteers , the search for appropriate costumes and props are incredibly difficult.

Choosing the right game is a challenge. You must have a lot of male roles (prisoners are largely unwilling to embrace the tradition of Shakespeare having men play women's roles) and, more importantly, must have a resonance and meaning. West Side Story, with its history of gang rivalry is one of the favorites, as works of August Wilson, and, of course, all for the Bard.

worth, however, as shown in this interview with some members of prisoners, Sharize Terrell, who described the impact of Shakespeare's Macbeth had on him. He was able to link the struggles of Macbeth to his own "kingdom upside down", where he and his brothers in the streets is too much to justify their actions, even if they knew they were hurting.

"this is what makes Lady Macbeth, he began to justify himself and Macbeth began to justify their own actions Well, if you do not like, it will not happen -.! is time to return to the matter of cause and effect. I must do this to make this person happy makes me happy, to get where I think I belong in life.

"That's what I was doing in the streets. What should I do the crime, because I can not get a job. Well, who says he can not get a job ? Well, that's what everyone around me said. Ah, well, many people say many things and do not believe in ourselves to put in hard work, to follow the path right to use some muscles to use some brain for some dedication to do good. I think there are parallels between the end and we Macbeth! "

not know what circumstances were Sharize before entering the prison, but as a prisoner to state prison, there is a probability of 75% have no high school diploma (pdf) and on one occasion or more of it comes from humble beginnings and grew up having to deal with all the chaos that poverty creates. More importantly, at least for the general public, there is a probability of 95% will be released from prison one day (before their participation in the RTA) at least 40% chance of reoffending after release.

Macbeth
• His awakening had much more to ensure some peace of mind. Reduced their chances of re-offending and return to prison after release of about 3%
• aa
According to Gold and Katherine Vockins (founder of the RTA), listen to stories of transformation, as Sharize are common. However, two recent studies, which found that the CAB participants are blocked less often and less serious offenses, have better social skills and communication, are more likely to go to pursue higher education, and are less likely to relapse, provide empirical evidence of the value of the program. This test, which "creates better citizens RTA inside and outside," as Vockins say, is the main reason that the support of the Prison Commissioner informed New York, Brian Fischer, who never lost a performance.

However, fundraising is always an issue (pdf), largely because of lack of sympathy for the prisoners and the current (and erroneous) idea that prisons should be a punishment. Stands now, the RTA has a long waiting list of prisoners and prisons who want to use their services, but it lacks the resources to adapt.

is unfortunate, to say the least, that this kind of backward thinking can not be denied a second chance for many people who have never had a first. But come May 18th, no matter what, the show will go on Sing Sing Prison. Several prisoners lucky you get to perform to a packed auditorium. For most, the experience is less about the momentary applause of being seen as human beings first. RTA may not reach as many people as you want, but those that do may be a change in the story of his life - a rival of the most difficult to achieve given

Those interested can write to:

Find best price for : --Vockins----Katherine----Lady----Macbeth----Sharize----Fred----Rogers----Ginger----Gold----Ricki----Sing--