By Gretchen Teske

Nearly fifty-two percent of incarcerated individuals return due to technical violations of the rules or committing a “serious” crime. The common denominator in this situation is often lack of life and social skills once they are re-integrated back into society. Today multiple organizations are trying to help these individuals gain back confidence as well as valuable life skills through theater. The programs innovate dance, writing, costuming, set building, voice, and visual arts in a way which supports positive cognitive growth behind bars that will help them in their transition out of them.

The Shakespeare Behind Bars program is based in Kentucky and Michigan prisons and is offered to a variety of individuals. Some programs are designed just for women, just for men, and just for youth. Their mission statement includes their goal of equipping persons with the tools they need to return to society as successful, stable individuals. Participants are asked to join in a “circle-of-trust” that acts to keep them safe within the creative process. Through this, the program seeks to help individuals see who they were when their crimes were committed, who they are now, and who they can become in the future. The recidivism rate in the state of Kentucky is 29.5% while the SBB program has a rate of 5.1%.

Rehabilitation through the Arts is a theater arts rehabilitation program operated in five New York maximum and medium state prisons, for both men and women. The organization was founded in 1996, by a group of men in Sing Sing who needed assistance with writing and producing a play they wrote. They received the help they needed and became the foundation of the RTA. Improved social skills and self-confidence are accredited to this organization as it has helped lead to the completion of GEDs, college, and master’s degrees. The RTA helps to improve self-management, literacy skills and a sense of community as each individual is help accountable to help the group be successful.

Prison Performing Arts was started 22 years ago as a multi-developmental organization to improve communication, literacy, team work and self-confidence in Missouri prisons. They offer programs for both you and adults who are incarcerated and those who have been relaeased but wish to continue their growth. Four youth programs are offered which focus on music and range from performing, writing, design, and dance. The PPA serves aproximatly 35 young men of ages 12-16. Adults are also offered multiple programs which range from workshops, rehearsals for plays, and poetry sessions. Indivudials are encouraged to express themselves and through the written words, explore the many challenges they will face once they are able to rejoin society.

For more information or to donate to any of the above organizations, please follow the hyperlink provided.