How a Prison Play Goes on Tour

In the article titled How a Prison Play Goes on Tour, prison rehabilitation using arts programs was the main topic, so that’s what I'll be discussing. I have always believed that prisons should be used as a place for rehabilitation rather than punishment, so seeing the Sterling Correctional Facility use acting as a rehabilitation method, was pretty exciting. There are 350 arts programs prisons can provide to inmates for rehabilitation; like theater, art, and chorus. Studies have been done and proved that prisons with arts programs experience less disciplinary problems and it could lead to less recidivism. The inmates at the sterling correctional facility said that the play allowed them to feel more human and reduce the bleakness of being behind bars. Overall I believe that prisons should use arts programs as a rehab method for inmates so they can express what they're feeling and feel normal while serving time. Who knows, maybe these arts programs will help them get a job once released.

Like many others comments first of all I can say that this article is very unusual for news about prisons. I guess most of us imagine prisons as a horrible place to be people's punishment for their crimes. But what if it can be better place to instead of a long time of suffering and being abused, improve and change prisoners mind in better way. This article really made me for the first time to think about our attitude towards criminals.It is simple to realize that by making people struggle for years won't really change their actions and thoughts about world in a peace way. I like the idea of using team works or smth like that while their stay in a prison. In my opinion you can help them to become realized and better persons way more by using more humane way and not by using abuse and hurt.

At first glance of this article, I didn’t expect myself to get a little emotional when reading, but here I am. There was something about seeing some of the pictures of the inmates performing that really resonated with me. There were a few ideas that came to mind while reading this article, but I mostly wondered if the reason why these inmates enjoy acting so much is because for a specific amount of time they get to portray someone who isn’t serving time and this could be an appealing idea for someone who is locked up. However, I do believe that there has to be restraint when it comes to these plays. Let’s say someone got life in jail for escape prison or for killing children in a mass murder spree, should they really be allowed to travel outside the prison? Personally, I think that should not be allowed. When it comes to the idea of a prison play going on tour, it’s very hard to support just one side. A part of me has faith in humanity and believes that these prisoners have changed enough to not be a danger to society, but the other part of me has watched too many criminal mind episodes and knows that changing that type of behavior isn’t that easy. While this could be a great form of rehabilitation for those who didn’t commit major crimes, I think it’s better safe than sorry. Prisoners performing in their own jails is perfectly acceptable, but traveling hours away should not be allowed, at least for right now.

Although this concept of prison plays going on tour is very intriguing, and I also think they should be continued. I understand some prisoners have done horrible things; some things that can’t be forgiven. However, prisons are supposed to be a place of rehabilitation, not one of punishment. Prisons in the United States are extremely harsh towards their inmates—so harsh people even do horrible things due to the conditions—when prisons in other countries are centered towards making their prisoners better people so they can be ready for the outside world again. These prison plays exposes the prisoners to the outside world for moments, giving them insight on what has changed outside of their confined prison walls. This also allows the prisoners to express themselves, which is much healthier for a person’s mental health than: excessive strip searches, prison fights, solitary confinement, etc.. However, I believe that people who have committed murder or are serving life sentences should not be permitted to participate in these prison plays. The choices they made took away the choice to be treated like a normal person; they should be locked away and not be allowed to do these plays. Despite these downsides, I truly believe prison plays are a giant step in the right direction, giving prisoners more freedom and opportunities to rehabilitate through this form of art.

This article is something that really captivated me from the beginning as I had never heard of something like it: a prison play. The concept of the fine arts like theatre being introduced into the prison environment is something completely new. Beyond that, the play provides a sense of humanity to the incarcerated beings, since they no longer get to see outside the thick steel bars of the prison. I think often times people tend to forget that although prison is indeed for a punishment, it is also a chance to improve upon ones self; a chance for the convicted to grow. I think they plays are beneficial to the prisoners as it “makes them feel human” again. The importance of growth -and correction- to a convicted felon is ultimately the most vital accomplishment the U.S. justice system can achieve; if the theater is a clear path to giving them a new sense of life, why not? I think the prisons throughout the country should continue with this program in order to help establish a normality for the felons which will help them grow as people.

Although the concept of prisoners being involved in the arts is interesting and entertaining to me, I am heavily against allowing these programs to continue. According to the article, California spends 8 million dollars a year on prison art programs. This statistic is ridiculous to me since all of that money could be going to people and institutions that actually deserve it and that are in need of financial support, such as educational institutions. I find it insulting that taxpayer money is amply being spent on criminals such as the performer who murdered Amy Mund’s sister after tying Amy to a bed. Although some may argue that prisoners need to feel human, I disagree. When one commits a horrible act such as murder, I believe they themselves strip away their own humanity and no longer deserve empathy. Therefore, I do not find it outrageous when the Mund family strongly opposed participation in these programs from inmates such as the man who took their family member’s life away. Additionally, I believe those who are given life sentences in prison, should not participate in these programs if the programs are going to continue. Supposedly, these programs are meant to smoothen the transition from prison to the real world. Thus, if an inmate is never being released, I see no benefit in allowing that prisoner to participate in these programs.

Prison should be a place of rehabilitation, where people can see what they have done wrong and grow from it, but instead it has turned into a place to store people until their sentences are served and then they’re released. This a mistake that’s been made over and over again. It’s also part of the reason that people continue committing the same crimes over and over. However being a part of something bigger than oneself, such as an arts program, can help them express themselves and grow as humans. In the comment section of the original article Five Mualimm-ak, who stated that they’ve been incarcerated, said “Theatre inside of prison is one of the most healing experiances,” and also went on to talk about how good the arts can be in helping people change for the better. People can change and those who have made some bad decisions or mistakes when they were younger shouldn’t be condemned for the rest of their lives’.When the inmates looked out the window of their bus they’d wonder at how much the world had changed since they last saw it. Several of them even said that “the play allowed them to feel human again.” I believe that despite whatever crimes they may have been convicted of they’re still human. Humans, that haven’t seen what it’s like outside of the prison’s walls in possibly years, having the chance to pretend and be someone else for a few hours or even minutes could be the escape they’ve been waiting for without realizing it.

I love this article. It shows that these incarcerated men and women are more than just a prison sentence. Just because they made a mistake in their earlier life doesn’t mean they can’t change for the better. This travelling play shows this that. Many people incorrectly stereotype prisoners as cruel, savage, and inhumane beings that deserve to spend the entirety of their lives behind bars. However, this is not true; these prisoners loved their play and the arts so much that they wanted to share it with other people stuck behind bars. Their actions show the compassion and love prisoners can experience despite the stereotypes made against them.

I believe in rehabilitation. I believe our society has wronged some of our young and most vulnerable citizens. It continues to wrong them by not making mental health services available and affordable to them and their families. Even though wronged and hurt, most wronged individuals do not end up as violent criminals. A prison arts initiative is a good idea for those prisoners who have a chance at re-entry into society or those who are incarcerated for non-violent crimes. Those who have life sentences without the possibility of probation should not ever see the outside of the "20 foot walls and razor fences" that separate them from society. Their victims were robbed of their lives--their walls are coffins and urns. Take the show on the road for prisoners who have the possibility of entering society again. Put dollars into mental health and support for families with children. Put dollars into support for victims of violent crimes and their families. The deep hurts that heal over with time, are broken open again when they hear that the person who planned and violently murdered their loved one is allowed to leave prison to act in a play. That is just messed up on many levels. Allow the criminal the opportunity while in prison to make a better person of themselves, find a way to be productive from within those walls, take classes, write a book, act in a play, donate to charities... Please don't take them on the road to act in a play.

Theatre inside of prison is one of the most healing experiances , during my time incarcerated in NYS I have seen so many people positively impacted by the theatre program & over the years watched them change for the better,.Far too often the programs that work aren't funded and even organizations like incarcerated nation & rehabilitation through the arts aren't fully funded to expand and create successful expansion support for graduates who are released. Art is form that I myself have used may a project to provide post Incarceration redirection and expression of conditions of Confinent of millions of peopke. Like the art of return that we do at the caveat, we interview and showcase talent of returning citizens. These are things that actually work and is thearaputic for the needed healing. Art inside is a means of freedom when you live in a cage it's a means of escape as well. But in a world of no control through theatre you come face to face with the unrestricted truth of your existence and condition of confinement . Its alot a person incarcerated goes through when your in a program that's not a punishment there's great many a story of abuse just because your in a group or band that's allowed to have a extra service. In a world where that is the norm we must support bueatiful things like this that happens and helps heal.

I also believe this is a great program & a positive way of rehabilitation. Would love to see the play because the movie was good. I sincerely pray that these arts projects provide meaning & give hope to the inmates!

The article quotes Dean Williams, executive director of the department of corrections: “We’ve made prison a place of starkness, idleness, a place without purpose”. I have to wonder, isn’t this what many of these people experienced in their lives before they got in trouble with the legal system? Isn’t this what they experienced during childhood and adolescence? Creativity does give life a sense of purpose. We need arts-based programs back in the school system, starting in preschool

What a celebration of both literature and redemption! I am reminded of the hopeful message from books by Bryan Stevenson (Just Mercy) and Anthony Ray Hinton (The Sun Does Shine): We are not the worst thing we have ever done. And thank God for that!

Forgiveness is sacred. It releases us from revenge and hatred. It gives the criminal a chance to become someone else; probably a great influence on others. It is the basis for second chances and what every good parent must give their children to allow them the possibility of good judgement as adults. This is a great step, and I hope forgiveness can be applied by all. Forgiveness is not easy though.

As a former college theater director, I know the transformative power of participating in a play. This program has given these inmates a chance to feel human again, to connect with each other, themselves, this wonderful play, their audiences. Some of them have done terrible things. This program let them do something good, and enabled them to feel good about themselves for a change. We need more of this!

Reminds me of that wonderful scene from “The Producers”. Can’t keep their hearts in jail! This is great.

I would love to see the play... Bravo!

This is Great work that radically changes lives and gets too little support! You can see an award-winning documentary, "Straight from the Pen," that catalogs an inspiring creative writing program on a maximum security prison yard in southern California and obtain a moving compendium of essays from that class, "Straight from the Pen: Writing Wrongs." Both are available at http://www.californiaprisontour.com Proceeds go toward the production of other documentaries about arts behind bars.

Strongly recommend the 2002 "Act V" episode of This American Life, which also addresses the redemptive power of prison theater, and all the complications that go along with it: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/218/act-v

This is fantastic. No good comes of locking people in cages and treating them like animals and then releasing them back into society with no tools to thrive and little hope.

Several years ago I saw a documentary called "Shakespeare Behind Bars" which followed a group of prison inmates as they rehearsed and performed a Shakespearean play.--I think it was "The Tempest." It also showed details of the lives of the prisoners during the year long process. The film was deeply moving and convinced me of the value of such programs. I'm very glad to see that they are proliferating. (I recommend seeing this film if it is available to any readers.)

It is with hope, grace, and hard work that such a program can thrive in a place full of supposedly broken individuals. Some might think that incarcerated folks are not deserving of a program like the one Hamilton leads, but if we can't offer a bit of humanity as a path to redemption then what kind of a society are we? Kudos to the entire team. The world is made better through art, whatever world that art exists in.

I’m so pleased to hear Mr Williams acknowledge that art in any form can help give life purpose. If we as a society think prison can be an opportunity to rehabilitate (and I think we do) then programs such as these are imperative. I’m so glad the Scandinavian model is being seriously considered as worthy of emulation.

I feel great sympathy for the lady who lost her sister to the depredations of one of this singular troupe's actors, and yet I also feel that forgiveness might be a blessing to some extent. Is that not what our dominant religion calls for? The healing power of theatre is immense.

Reading, listening to music and seeing some theatre or a combination of all three can set someone free for some lovely minutes at a time. Bravo cast, crew and director. Kesey is a good choice because his language is so fluid and solid.