Public Radio International’s show Studio 360 will be airing a segment about Rehabilitation Through The Arts on WNYC 93.9 FM Saturday, June 5th at 4:00 PM and Sunday, June 6th  at 11:00 AM. The show can also be heard on the 820 AM station on Sunday at 2:00 PM.

Studio 360 visited Sing Sing on three separate occasions for the piece, which focuses on the RTA production of Starting Over, a prisoner-written play about family relationships.  The play was performed last March for an enthusiastic audience of  prisoners and over 250 community guests.

 According to producer Jordan Sayle, “The story attempts to find the emotional heart of what is accomplished on stage at Sing Sing. I know that I was deeply moved by what I witnessed.”

Go to Studio 360  to hear the show and see additional photos of Starting Over.

WNYC’s Soundcheck recently featured Arts Behind Bars with Katherine Vockins, RTA’s Founder and Executive Director, and Haitian singer Emeline Michel.

The show highlighted the growing international movement to use the arts in prisoner rehabilitation, including Musical Connections, a pilot program sponsored by Carnegie Hall that brings live performances to prisons, shelters, hospitals and senior centers, and Inspiring Change, an ambitious arts-based prison program in Scotland.

Soundcheck’s host John Schaefer blogs “… arts programs in prison – theater, music, visual arts, or literature …{are} interactive. You’re not sitting there being taught something; you’re learning by doing it. Even if you’re not very good – or any good – you learn things like teamwork, empathy, communication… these are powerful tools, and if people developed these skills before going to prison, chances are good they wouldn’t end up in prison.”
Listen to Arts Behind Bars

Michael McLean just came home!

Michael has been a core member of the RTA group at Fishkill since it began 5 years ago.  He serves on the RTA steering committee, is a great writer and fearless on stage. 

In addition to RTA, Michael was active in the Youth Assistance Program, initiated a Stop Smoking Seminar, wrote inmate manuals and volunteered for many other programs.

We are thrilled for Michael and his wife, Crystal.

RTA is happy to announce that one of its founding members, Dewey Bozella, was released on October 28 2009 after 26 years in prison.

Dewey Bozella

According to the New York Times, “Mr. Bozella’s exoneration culminated one of the too-familiar nightmares of the justice system — poor defendant, botched investigation, tainted testimony, withheld evidence.”  Dewey’s  murder conviction was overturned by Justice James T. Rooney of State Supreme Court, who called the legal and factual arguments “compelling, indeed overwhelming.”

After he began participating in RTA in Sing Sing, Dewey received two college degrees.   He now wants to work with troubled kids.

Shorty in Sing Sing

In other good news, Vaughn Gilmore (”Shorty”)  has been approved for parole after 29 years in prison.  He will be released from Fishkill Correctional Facility in February 2010.

Shorty writes about his experience with RTA,  “If someone asked me to name one thing I’ve learned from everyone collectively, I would have to say humanity in an environment that promotes the opposite.

People say I’m strong when they look at me having done 29 years in prison, but I’m as fragile as a baby bird.  It’s all of you who kept me strong by giving me hope.”

Katherine Vockins among recipients of Dutchess County Executive's Arts Awards

The Dutchess County Arts Council has chosen RTA to receive its 2009 Executive’s Arts Award for work in Fishkill and Green Haven Correctional Facilities.  The award was presented at a gala event on October 28th.